Monthly Archives: July 2006
Is It Time to Panic?
This article begins with a disclaimer: Nothing you are about to read is intended as investment advice, nor should you take it as such. Over the last 18 months the stock market has declined more than 20% in value, with some sectors declining much more.… Continue reading
Liquor License: Privilege or Right?
In the Philadelphia suburbs people will pay as much as $200,000 for a restaurant liquor license. What has a buyer of a license really bought? Certainly, other than the certificate that is issued by the Liquor Control Board (the LCB), there is nothing very tangible;… Continue reading
Common Law Marriage
How long must parties live together to be married by common law? If you answered “seven,” you join most in a common misperception. The proper answer is, “as long as it takes to exchange vows.” The typical marriage begins with a trip to the court… Continue reading
New Rules for Distribution from Retirement Plans
On April 17th of this year, final regulations were published for required minimum distributions from retirement plans. These regulations apply to all stock bonus plans, pension plans, profit sharing plans, annuity contracts, custodial accounts, IRAs, Roth IRAs and certain deferred compensation arrangements, and apply to… Continue reading
The Queen’s English — The Colon: Its Use and Misuse
Most writers do not hesitate to use, and often misuse, the comma; to a lesser degree the semi-colon finds its way into our compositions. But the colon rarely appears. Is it because we fear the uncommon? We do use it routinely to separate volume and… Continue reading
Pennsylvania Limited Liability Companies
A Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company (an “LLC”) is generally considered a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership, and may be thought of as a limited partnership without a general partner. It provides the liability protection of a corporation with the advantage of being treated… Continue reading
The Barnes Foundation: Roiling Anew
It is as sublime as it is quirky; it is as beautiful as it is enigmatic; it has a priceless collection worth billions, yet it is on the edge of bankruptcy. It is the Barnes’ Collection. Albert Barnes, who was born in Philadelphia in 1872,… Continue reading
A Guide To Employment Applications
An employment application, alone or in conjunction with accepting resumes, is a helpful tool used by many businesses to screen applicants and to find qualified employees. However, developments in employment law could result in inadvertent use of an application which could expose a business to… Continue reading
BBC&B News
We are pleased to announce: On September 19, 2002, Karen Peterson, our controller, gave birth to a 8 lb. 11 oz. baby boy, Eric Michael. Both mother and son are doing well. Sandy Cowan, an experienced legal secretary, has joined our staff and will be… Continue reading
Time To Start Thinking About Your Taxes
Although it is only November, it is a perfect time to start thinking about your 2002 taxes. Congress has managed systematically to close many of the “big-dollar” tax planning ideas, however, there are still some ideas and techniques that you can take advantage of between… Continue reading