4 Legal Things to Make Sure You’re Doing in 2025

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to make sure your legal bases are covered. Whether you’re thinking ahead for your family, planning travel, or managing a business, there are a few legal items you can’t afford to overlook. Here’s what you need to check off your list to start the year feeling confident and secure.

1. Make Sure You Have a REAL ID 

Have you heard the term REAL ID before and wondered exactly what it is? Essentially, the REAL ID is a version of your driver’s license or state-issued ID that meets federal security standards. These standards were created after 9/11 as part of federal efforts to improve travel security.

Wondering if you have a REAL ID? For North Carolina residents, a REAL ID can be identified by a star located in the top-right corner of your driver’s license.

Why Do You Need a REAL ID? 

If you’re planning to hop on a plane domestic flight starting May 7—or need to visit a military base or other federal facilities—you’ll need a REAL ID. Without one, you’ll need a passport or another federally-approved form of ID instead.

What Happens If You Don’t Have One?

If you don’t have a REAL ID by the deadline, you could be stuck at the airport unable to board a plane for your long-awaited vacation or business trip—or denied entry when trying to visit certain secure government facilities.

How to Get a REAL ID

Fortunately, it’s not hard to get your REAL ID. Make an appointment at your local North Carolina DMV office. Bring documents that prove your identity (like a passport or certified birth certificate), Social Security number, and residency (like a utility bill or lease agreement). The DMV website has a helpful checklist to make sure you show up prepared with everything you need.

2. Make Sure Your Will Is Up to Date 

When’s the last time you updated your will or even thought about it? If it’s been a while, 2025 is the perfect time to check in. Life changes happen fast, and your will needs to reflect how you want your estate handled—not just for your peace of mind but for your family’s.

Why Update Your Will Regularly?

Your will isn’t something you can just set and forget—just like insurance or retirement plans, it should grow and change as your life does. Keeping it updated makes sure your assets go where you want them to, and it saves your family from dealing with outdated instructions during an already tough time.

When Should You Update Your Will?

It’s always smart to review your will every few years just to be safe, but certain big life changes signify it’s time to update your documents:

• Marriage or Divorce: Marriage and divorce are major milestones that can completely change whom you want included in your estate plans.
• Growing Your Family: Welcoming a child, adopting, or even gaining stepkids means new people to consider in your will.
• Major Financial Changes: Big financial changes—like selling property, buying a business, or an unexpected inheritance—should prompt you to review your estate.
• Death or Disputes: If a beneficiary or executor named in your will has passed away or you’ve become estranged from them, it’s time for an update.
• Moving to a New State: Different states have different probate laws, so moving to a new state might affect how your will is interpreted.

At Dozier Miller, we make updating or creating a will as simple and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re reviewing one you wrote decades ago or starting from scratch, we’ll help you create a plan that’s right for your family.

3. For Businesses: Keep Up with BOI Filing Requirements

If you’re a business owner, staying on top of Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filings is a must in 2025. These filings help bring more transparency to who owns and controls businesses, playing a big role in fighting fraud and money laundering. But figuring out the reporting requirements can be confusing, and the risks of getting it wrong, from fines to legal trouble, are no joke. 

At Dozier Miller Law Group, our business law attorney, Tom Fallish, works directly with businesses to make sure BOI filings are accurate and submitted on time. With his help, you can relax knowing your business is fully compliant and protected. 

Cross this off your to-do list and let us take the stress out of the process. Reach out to Tom and our team for support—you focus on running your business, and we’ll handle the rest.

4. For Businesses: Stay on Top of Employment and Remote Work Compliance Laws 

Running a business comes with its fair share of challenges, and staying compliant with employment laws is a big one. Especially in the wake of the remote work revolution, laws and regulations for businesses continue to evolve. Are you keeping up? 

Why Compliance Matters

Compliance might not be the most exciting part of running a business, but it’s key to keeping operations running smoothly. On top of avoiding hefty fines and legal headaches, it helps create a better workplace and builds trust with your team.

As remote work becomes more common, lawmakers are focusing on issues like overtime rules, reimbursing work-from-home expenses, and how employees are classified.

What Should Businesses Look Out for in 2025?

Some areas businesses should pay attention to include: 

• Remote Work Policies: Make sure you’re staying on top of rules about breaks, overtime, and reimbursing employees for necessary work-from-home expenses. 
• Employee Classifications: Misclassifying labor—like treating full-time employees as independent contractors to avoid providing benefits—can land your business in hot water.
• Workplace Safety for Remote Employees: Even when your team is working from home, it’s still on you to ensure their work environment is safe. 
• Anti-Discrimination Cases: Growing your team? Regular training to prevent discrimination and harassment—even in virtual spaces—can help you stay compliant and create a better workplace for everyone.

Employment law can feel complicated, but you don’t have to handle it on your own. The business law attorneys at Dozier Miller are here to help you create policies that protect both your employees and your company.

Take Action Today

The start of a new year is a great time to tackle your legal to-dos, and Dozier Miller Law Group is your trusted resource for checking everything off your list. Whether you need help with estate planning, updating your business’s compliance strategies, or navigating complex legal processes, we’re here to guide you. 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s start the new year off right by taking care of your legal needs.