Monthly Archives: February 2008

Avoiding Conflicts Between Tenant and Landlord’s Bank

     It is a standard provision in nearly every lease that the lease will be “subordinate” to the lien of any mortgage on the leased property.  While there are variations on exactly what the lease might say and exactly what problems may arise, a tenant… Continue reading

A Second Look at Title Insurance

In Philadelphia and its adjacent counties, obtaining title insurance upon the purchase of real estate has become routine (not so as you go north or west of the area).  This is especially so when there is a bank or other commercial lender involved in the… Continue reading

Auto Insurance Tips

Here are some tips to consider when reviewing your automobile insurance coverage: Make sure you have selected “full tort” coverage and not “limited tort”.  Without full tort coverage you may not be compensated for all of your injuries if you have the misfortune to be… Continue reading

Estate Tax Reform?

As many of you already know, Congress partially repealed the federal estate tax by eliminating the federal estate tax for estates of individuals dying during 2010. Prior to the elimination set for 2010, the estate tax was gradually reduced over the years from 2001 to 2009,… Continue reading

Federal Removal

Early in our history there was fierce independence on the part of the individual states making up our republic.  On the one hand, the states were sovereign governments; on the other, they were each players in a larger national government. The federal court system was… Continue reading

Tax Changes for 2008

  Here is a brief summary of some of the more important federal tax changes for calendar year 2008:   The social security taxable wage base increases from $97,500 to $102,000. The limit for contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA increases from $4,000 to… Continue reading

Terminating Parental Rights

Courts consider the rights of a parent to be fundamental.  Even so, each state has laws providing for the termination of parental rights.  The severing of parental rights ends the legal parent-child relationship. Whether it is voluntary or involuntary, termination of parental rights can only… Continue reading