Local Resources Archives - Helping Families with Kids with Special Needs

Start Your 2025 Business in Texas: A Quick Guide

Ready to start 2025 with a BANG?

Starting a business is an exciting journey, but it’s important to start off on the right foot. Texas, with its business-friendly laws and thriving economy, is one of the best places to launch your dream venture. At Filis Law Firm, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. Here’s a quick guide to help you take your first steps toward success.

1. Choose Your Business Idea

Every great business starts with an idea. What problem are you solving, and how does your product or service stand out? Whether you’re starting a tech company, a retail store, or a consulting firm, it’s important to refine your idea and evaluate its feasibility.

2. Pick a Business Structure

Your business structure determines everything from your taxes to your personal liability. Common options in Texas include:

Sole Proprietorship: Simple but leaves you personally liable.
Partnership: A shared venture, ideal for co-owners.
LLC (Limited Liability Company): A popular choice that combines liability protection with tax flexibility.
Corporation: Offers robust liability protection but is more complex to maintain.

Not sure which structure is best for your goals? That’s where our expertise comes in.

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-start-a-business/36934

Thank you WalletHub! Yes Texas is a great state to start a new business!

3. Register Your Business Name

Your business name is your first impression, so choose wisely. In Texas, you’ll need to check if your desired name is available by searching the Texas Secretary of State’s database. If you’re operating under a name other than your own, you may need to file a DBA (“Doing Business As”).

4. File the Necessary Paperwork

Depending on your business structure, you’ll need to file specific documents with the Texas Secretary of State:

For an LLC: File a Certificate of Formation.
For a Corporation: File a Certificate of Formation for Corporations.

This is also the time to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you’re planning to hire employees or open a business bank account.

5. Get the Right Permits and Licenses

Certain industries in Texas require specific licenses or permits to operate legally. From food services to professional services, you’ll need to ensure you comply with state and local regulations.

6. Open a Business Bank Account

Separating your personal and business finances is crucial. Open a dedicated business bank account to keep your transactions organized and simplify tax filing.

7. Set Up Your Financial and Legal Foundations

Establish a bookkeeping system or hire a professional to keep track of your finances.
Protect your business with the right insurance coverage.
Draft contracts and policies tailored to your operations.

Why Choose Filis Law Firm?

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Filis Law Firm, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs like you navigate the complexities of business formation in Texas. Our experienced team can:

Help you select the right business structure for your goals.
Handle the legal paperwork, so you don’t have to worry about missing any steps.
Provide personalized advice to set your business up for long-term success.

Let’s turn your vision into reality. Contact us today (713-462-1777 ) to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward building your 2025 business in Texas.

Steps in a Guardianship of Your Adult Disabled Child

What you can expect when you file for Guardianship of your loved one:

Parent homework: Schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor. Take the Physician’s Certificate of Medical Examination to be completed and return the completed form to the law office.

1^st – Application for Guardianship or Co-Guardianship of the Person filed with Physician’s Letter

*service of process by Sheriff to your child at the home

2^nd – JBCC online certificates. Parent homework: Parents must go to the JBCC website to register their Guardianship case, take the online training course, and submit the Certificate of Completion to the law office.

*In-home visit Court Investigator

3^rd – File AAL Motion & Order – performed by attorney

*in-home visit AAL

4^th – Attend a Court Hearing after your child turns 18 and all the reports are filed.

Enrich Your Life

When I speak with high school students about opportunities for personal and professional growth, number one on my list is being a volunteer or on the board of a non-profit.

Serving on the board of a local non-profit organization can be a rewarding and impactful way to contribute to the community.

Here are a few reasons why it can be a wonderful experience:

Community Engagement: By being on a non-profit board, you gain a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by your local community. This firsthand knowledge allows you to play an active role in addressing those needs and making a positive impact.

Networking Opportunities: Serving on a board exposes you to a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about the same cause. It provides you with networking opportunities and allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, community leaders, and professionals from various fields.

Skill Development: Joining a non-profit board allows you to develop and enhance your skills in leadership, strategic planning, decision-making, fundraising, financial management, and more. These skills can be valuable not only within the non-profit sector but also in your personal and professional life.

Making a Difference: Being part of a non-profit board gives you the chance to make a tangible difference in your community. You have the opportunity to contribute to the organization’s mission, shape its direction, and ensure that it effectively serves the needs of the community.

Personal Fulfillment: Volunteering your time and expertise for a cause you care about can bring immense personal fulfillment. Seeing the positive impact of the non-profit’s work and witnessing the lives it touches can be incredibly rewarding and gratifying.

Currently, I serve on six boards and each non-profit brings additional value to our community.

Visit these non-profits and see if you can donate your time or money to one or more of these worthy causes.

Autism Moms of Houston

https://www.autismmomsofhouston.org/

https://www.autismmomsofhouston.org/meetourboard

Cafe Azul TX

https://www.facebook.com/cafeazultx

https://cafeazultx.wixsite.com/cafeazultxautism/post/leona-filis-community-advocate

Family, Friends and Duchenne

https://familyfriendsandduchenne.org/home-2/our-team/

Friends of Down Syndrome

https://www.friendsofdownsyndrome.org/leadership

Hope for Luka

https://hopeforluka.org/pages/copy-of-board-members

SAFE Diversity Communities

http://www.safediversity.org/

Community Outreach Events

https://www.facebook.com/groups/840056543353650/

Embracing Diversity Radio Show

https://www.facebook.com/groups/176841273950502/

Working and Receiving SSI Benefits

Disabled workers must limit their hours to keep a paycheck and benefits

As many of our kids with special needs approach adulthood, a conflict becomes clear. How can my adult child gain independence with working and still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) and Medicaid?

Your adult child can retain his or her federal government benefits and work part-time. The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) website is full of examples of the calculations you can use to determine if your child is earning too much money to maintain benefits eligibility.

See the chart below for more details about SSI monthly benefits.

Currently, the maximum monthly amount of SSI paid to an individual is $841.00. SSA will deduct from the maximum qualifying amount (using $841 in this example) a certain amount for earned income. The amount deducted depends on many factors.

For the new high school graduates under the age of 22 and attending college, these adults can earn income and have as much as $1,930 a month exempt from the benefits deduction. Keep in mind that there is an annual cap for this exemption of $7,670 earned income. For the months after the student has reached the total annual exclusion for “Student Earned Income Exclusion,” then the Social Security Administration can allow the student to exclude the first $65 earned, and then calculate one-half of the remaining monthly earned income to deduct from the $861 SSI monthly benefit. Math is not my friend, but here is my attempt to calculate – if your adult disabled child (who regularly attends school – at least 8 hours a week at college) works part-time and earns $400 a month, then Social Security ignores $65, leaving $335 to divide in half, leaving $167.50 as the amount to reduce from the monthly benefit of $841.00, yielding a $673.50 payment.

If your child wants to work so many hours a month that his or her benefits are jeopardized, one option is to suggest he or she perform hours of volunteer work for a local charity.

Qualifying for SSI and Medicaid is also dependent on the value of the recipient’s assets. Cash is considered an asset and the cap is $2,000.00.

Click here to see my video about SSI and bank accounts.

TIP: Do not have joint bank accounts with your adult disabled child. As a parent, you may be the Representative Payee (“Rep Payee”) for checks issued by the government, but keep your money separate from your child’s money. In other words, do not commingle your money with theirs. Other than a Rep Payee account, your adult disabled child should only have two other types of bank accounts – ABLE account, also known as a 529 A account, and an account owned by your child’s Supplemental Needs Trust. Here is a link to my video about bank accounts for people with disabilities.

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Congratulations Leona E. Filis – A Winner of the Best Probate Lawyers in Houston!

We are so proud of our Principal Attorney Leona E. Filis! She has won another award for her services to the Houston community, named one of the winners of Best Probate Lawyers in Houston 2022 by Expertise.com. Leona works with families with children with special needs and provides invaluable advice for planning for their futures. Supplemental Needs Trusts can be tricky, but hugely effective to preserve eligibility rights to lifelong government benefits.

This award is on the heels of Leona’s national recognition from President Joe Biden for her community service.

Awesome recognition for Leona and her tireless efforts to fight the good fight and protect our kids.

We will help you protect your family

With the new environment we find ourselves in, and with all of the uncertainty we have face, you can be comforted in that Filis Law Firm will be available to you.

Here is a letter from Leona E. Filis, founding member.

Dear Valued Clients,

At Filis Law Firm, the safety and well-being of our clients is always a top concern. During this time of crisis, please know that Filis Law Firm is here for you, as we have been for the past 17 years. Although Courts and businesses have limited hours or are completely closed, Filis Law Firm will continue to provide services to meet your needs.

As always, we allow for teleconferences, and now for your convenience, we have added Zoom as an option for video meetings. You can schedule your appointment time online at Calendly https://calendly.com/filislawfirm. If you prefer, you can also communicate with us or forward any information/documentation to us via email at leona@filislaw.com.

You can rely on the Filis Law Firm. Attorney Leona E. Filis understands that under the current circumstances, it is crucial to secure the optimal future for your family. As a result, should you need Estate Planning documents, Filis Law Firm will expedite such services, including Wills, Power of Attorneys, and Special Needs Trusts. If you are in need of Guardianship services, we can begin the Guardianship process by preparing and filing the initial legal documents. When the Harris County courts are fully operational, we can schedule a hearing date, or have a video hearing.

The Filis Law Firm team is dedicated to supporting you through this unprecedented time. Please stay safe and know that you can count on us.

Leona E. Filis

Owner and Managing Attorney

Great Day Houston with Deborah Duncan

Mrs. Scott, Attorney Filis, and Adriana Beasley on Great Day Houston discussing the upcoming 6th Annual Blue Carpet Scholarship Awards Gala by Houston non-profit SAFE Diversity Communities.

Did You Hear the Embracing Diversity Show This Month?

Every month you can listen to the Embracing Diversity show on Radio DaBang 99.5 FM. This month DJ BigNate, Mrs. Thelma Scott and Attorney Filis had special guests Giset King, Max Power with Agape the Koala, and Kathy Tatum.

Giset King with Cafe Azul is hosting Tools for Caregivers of Individuals with Autism March 21, 2020 at 114 Eastwood St. from 10 am to 2 pm.

Study Up on THHSC Programs That Support Individuals with Special Needs

For all the new parents of babies and toddlers diagnosed with chronic illness or a disability such as Autism, one of the first things you should do is sign your child up for support and services with your State and local authority. Years ago, for my child, I contacted the Department of Aging and Disabilities (DADS, now see Texas Health and Human Services Commission) and Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority (MHMRA, now known as Harris Center).

Client Education

My first reaction to receiving information about the Interest Lists for Medicaid Waiver Programs was one of disappointment.

I was certain that my household income would disqualify my son for benefits. I was wrong. The requirement for low or no income that you typically associate with Medicaid is waived for most of these programs.

If you have not already done so, please call 1-877-438-5658 to add your child to the Medically Dependent Children’s Program (MDCD) and Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Interest Lists.

For those of our parents whose kids have spent a couple of days in a nursing facility, and is medically fragile, you may wish to look into the MDCP Rider 28 if your child is returning home. Talk to your child’s doctor about Form 2406, Physician Recommendation for Length of Stay in a Nursing Facility.

For more information, contact The Filis Law Firm at 713-462-1777 or search for Medicaid Waiver Programs on the Houston Special Needs Attorneys website.