Monthly Archives: July 2006
An Estate Tax Review (or Dare We Look Congress in the Eye?)
Anyone who has written a will with an eye to the effects of the federal estate tax may wish to pull the will off that dusty shelf in the closet (actually a safe deposit box is a better place for such storage) and assess its… Continue reading
Construction Defects
Over the years, I have conferred with many clients as to whether they should bring legal action for a defectively or improperly constructed house. Because such lawsuits can be expensive and are often complicated, the decision to bring suit must be made carefully. The amount… Continue reading
Send Us Your Collection Matters
In the last several issues, we have commented upon the increasing importance of monitoring closely your receivables, looking for slow payment trends and other indicators that the customer may be getting behind in payment. With virtually all of the leading economic indicators being flat or… Continue reading
The IRS Says that the Average Person Does Not Need an Offshore Credit Card!
Recently the IRS announced the IRS Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative. The IRS has had an increasing interest over the last four or five years in offshore activities, suspecting that United States citizens are avoiding taxes on income or gains by using offshore bank accounts. The… Continue reading
Marriage v. Co-habitation: Some Legal Distinctions
Some call it living in sin, others call it living in bliss, but these days it is almost expected that a couple will live together before they get married. In some circles it is socially acceptable for a pair to live together without ever getting… Continue reading
Queen’s English — Relative to What?
Have you any idea who a “second cousin, once removed” is? I am indebted to a friend, Bill Liberi; as a result of his curiosity and research, I think I now understand. Let’s see if I can pass it on. The definition of a first… Continue reading
Historical Footnote: Marbury at 200
A symposium sponsored recently by the American Philosophical Society marked the two hundredth anniversary of the landmark decision Marbury v. Madison in 1803. The moderator was Supreme Court Justice David Souter, and five of the most distinguished constitutional lawyers and judges across the country presented… Continue reading
Estate Planning Includes More Than Just A Will
When most individuals think of estate planning they think of a will or a trust. However, a document that is as important as a will in completing your estate plan is a Power of Attorney. A Power of Attorney is a written document in which… Continue reading
Business Divorce
Unfortunately, like marriages, businesses sometimes end in divorce. The reasons for the demise of a business can range from petty disputes involving ego to deep seated financial problems. Deadlocks or irreconcilable conflicts as to the direction and operation of a company can cause substantial emotional… Continue reading
Negotiating An Agreement for the Sale of Real Estate
When purchasing an existing home in Pennsylvania, most buyers and sellers, at one point or another, have entered into standard agreements for the sale of real estate on forms approved by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®. These forms are useful tools because nearly every provision… Continue reading