AFJ Law, PLLC

06/11/2026

Securing a domain name or grabbing a social media handle does not mean you own your business name.

In the eyes of the law, building a website or printing business cards gives you almost zero exclusive rights. If a competitor files an official federal trademark for that same name, they can legally force you to rebrand—wiping out your hard-earned reputation, logos, and signage overnight.

While state LLC registration offers small local boundaries, a federal trademark is the only real way to lock down your brand nationwide.

Don't build a business on rented land. Check availability, file the proper registration, and own what you build

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

One thing I love about Alaska summers is how they invite you to slow down and soak in the beauty.

In my law practice, I often meet people during busy seasons of life, or during a crisis. Estate planning creates a rare opportunity to slow down and ask:

What matters most?
Who do I want to protect?
What legacy do I want to leave?

Those questions are worth asking long before there's a crisis.

06/09/2026

Too many business owners treat filing LLC paperwork like a finish line. They get state approval and assume their personal assets are permanently safe.

But registration is just the warmup.

An LLC isn't an automatic force field; it’s a separate legal entity, and you have to treat it like one. If a legal dispute hits and you haven't maintained that boundary, a court can "pierce the veil," holding you personally liable for business debts.

To keep your shield up, you must follow the day-to-day rules:

Never mix funds: Do not pay for personal expenses out of the business account.

Sign properly: Execute every contract on behalf of the LLC, not as an individual.

Keep clean records: Maintain strict accounting and separate banking.

Filing the paperwork gives you the shield. Operating with discipline is how you actually hold it up.

06/05/2026

When people hear "estate tax planning," they often picture complex legal maneuvers designed to lock wealth away in a vault. But that perspective completely misses the point.

The goal of estate planning isn't to stop the transfer of wealth, it’s to facilitate it.By minimizing the tax friction up front, you ensure that the assets you’ve built actually arrive safely at their destination: the family, partners, and causes you care about most.

You aren't halting the transition of your legacy, you are just clearing the roadblocks.

06/03/2026

My first unboxing video!

06/02/2026

There’s a massive myth floating around the business world: “If I sign this risky contract under my LLC, I’m safe because my personal assets are protected.”

Let’s bust that myth right now. An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a fantastic tool for shielding your personal savings and home from business liabilities. But an LLC is a shield, not a magic eraser. It cannot fix a fundamentally bad contract.

05/28/2026

I’ll be in Alaska soon (June 4-24) and am opening a few days for in-person estate planning/business consultations while I’m there. If you'd like to meet to talk about legal work grab a spot on my calendar!