Thanks for joining me for the Legal Q+A! Participants contributed amazing questions, creating a rich, broad conversation about many issues affecting artists, makers, and other creative entrepreneurs.
The replay is available here: Legal Live Q&A for Makers and Creative Entrepreneurs
Below are numerous resources discussed in the webinar.
RENT & MORTGAGE
National Apartment Association Covid-19 Legal and Regulatory Map
Find your state and county regulations on eviction stays, nonpayment of rent, and more here.
Fannie Mae Disaster Response Network (for renters)
Contact if your apartment or rental unit is in a multifamily building financed by Fannie Mae.
Fannie Mae Mortgage Relief Options (for homeowners)
Call directly if you have a Fannie Mae mortgage. You can also use the suggested language as a script for negotiating with non-Fannie Mae mortgage servicers.
How do I know if my loan is federally backed?
- Call or write your mortgage servicer. Your servicer is required to tell you who owns your mortgage and provide you with the name, address, and phone number of whoever owns your mortgage.
- Use loan lookup tools provided by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to find out if either of those two government-backed providers own your mortgage.
- Check the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) website to find your servicer if you don’t know who that is.
Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents
Info on student loan payment suspensions.
American Express Financial Hardship
Lower your monthly payment and interest rate, get relief from late payment fees, prevent your account from going past due.
Other Issuers’ Financial Hardship Programs
As above, for a variety of card issuers.
**Just because the Federal Reserve dropped its rate to near zero does not mean that your APR is near zero. Most card issuers dropped their APRs by only ~1% in response!
UTILITIES
Many municipalities and private providers have suspended disconnections for nonpayment. I can’t list every water, gas, and phone provider. Check with your local providers!
Internet and cell phone providers are offering hardship plans and discounts. Here are some links so you can see what these plans look like. Contact your provider directly via their preferred method:
Spectrum Remote Education Credit
Comcast Free Internet
Verizon Hardship Plan
AT&T Payment Waiver Request
TAXES
IRS Website for Coronavirus Tax Relief
Forms, statements, and guidance.
IRS COVID Q & A
Questions and answers about tax filing and payment deadlines.
SUNLIGHT TAX
Hannah Cole is an Asheville-based artist and Enrolled Agent who works exclusively with creative clients.
UNEMPLOYMENT
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program
Gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors are covered. Benefit amounts will be calculated based on previous income, using the formula found in this link.
SELF-HELP FOR WEBSITE & CONTRACT LANGUAGE
This is NOT legal advice. I repeat: this is NOT legal advice.
Terms and Conditions
You can call your attorney, download a template from a paid service, or adapt from a similarly situated friend or competitor. Remember, the T&C is pretty adaptable!
Privacy Policy
You can call your attorney, download a template from a paid service, or adapt from a similarly situated friend or competitor. Required if you’re collecting information. The privacy policy is not as adaptable. It must include certain information.
Collect Consent With GPDR Forms
Required. Explanation of GPDR cookie notice-and-accept requirements with sample language.
Sample Force Majeure Language for Nonprofits (equally applicable to individuals)
Consider adding a clause like this to your standard contract in case of future quarantines.
FAIR USE
Code of Best Practices for Fair Use in the Visual Arts
A guide to fair use for visual artists developed by lawyers and law professors.
Code of Best Practices for Fair Use in Online Video
A guide to fair use for online video developed by lawyers and law professors.
REOPENING
Asheville Area Arts Council Reopening Resources
Returning to Work Webinar with Jessica Leaven of Grimes Teich Anderson
END-OF-LIFE PLANNING
The Order of the Good Death
“The Order is about making death a part of your life. Staring down your death fears—whether it be your own death, the death of those you love, the pain of dying, the afterlife (or lack thereof), grief, corpses, bodily decomposition, or all of the above. Accepting that death itself is natural, but the death anxiety of modern culture is not.”
CERF+ Legacy & Estate Planning GuidebookThe Four Legal Documents That Everyone Needs To Plan For Their Future
The format is pleasantly silly, but the content is solid.
Art Organized
Asheville-based inventory service.
Artwork Archive
Online art inventory service.
Managed Artwork
Online art inventory service.
FINDING AN ATTORNEY
Art Law
I will be launching my practice in a few weeks and can help with estate planning, intellectual property, business formation, and contract issues.
Pisgah Legal
An amazing local resource for help with family law, housing, health care, and many other matters.
Grimes Teich Anderson
My recommendation for help with employment and products liability.