Yearly Archives: 2006
THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
In August 1993, President Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”). Rules interpreting the FMLA were published by the Department of Labor since that date. Generally, employers with 50 or more employees during 20 or more calendar workweeks in the current or preceding… Continue reading
The “Durable” Power of Attorney
When we hear “durable”, we think of diamonds (they’re forever), granite (“rock-of-ages”), and maybe even your ’57 Ford pick-up with 335,000 miles on the odometer. But a power of attorney? Historically, a power of attorney has been one of the more ephemeral of legal documents… Continue reading
Federal Minimum Wage Raised
President Clinton signed the Small Business Job Protection Act on August 20, 1996. Among other things, this bill raised the federal minimum wage from $4.25 to $4.75 per hour effective October 1, 1996 and to $5.15 per hour effective September 1, 1997.The bill also created… Continue reading
How Long Must You Keep Financial Records?
Now that you’ve gotten your tax returns filed and are looking at your bulging folder of receipts, notes and records, it is logical to wonder, “How long should I keep all this paper and all the paper from previous years?” Tax Returns. With regard to… Continue reading
Easements and Licenses
Suppose you grant your next-door-neighbor permission to erect a fence across the property line on your property in order to accommodate a tree growing on the property line. Or suppose a landowner allows another landowner to use a private road across his property in order… Continue reading
Trust Fund Taxes and the 100% Penalty
The Internal Revenue Code requires employers to withhold from wages and pay over to the government employment taxes at specified intervals. Because funds withheld from employee wages are not property of the employer but instead are earmarked for the government, they are commonly known as… Continue reading
“Full Tort” or “Limited Tort” The Auto Insurance Dilemma
We handle many automobile accident injury cases and recent changes in the insurance laws are catching some drivers by surprise.The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law establishes two basic choices of automobile insurance coverage, commonly known as the “Full Tort” option and the “Limited Tort”… Continue reading
Shifting the Burden of Legal Fees to Your Opponent
There has been debate in the national press of late concerning “loser pays” provisions in litigation situations. Generally speaking, the “American Rule” is that each party bears its own costs, including legal fees relative to a claim, regardless of success or failure. This is at… Continue reading
Seven Reasons to Incorporate
We set up scores of new businesses each year, most of which are incorporated. While there are sometimes good reasons not to incorporate, such as businesses whose primary purpose is ownership of real estate, here are seven reasons why setting your business up as a… Continue reading
What Happens to Your Property If You Die Without a Will?
In Pennsylvania, as in most states, if you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to the intestacy laws. Exactly how your property is distributed depends on whether you have a spouse, whether you have children, and whether you have surviving parents.The… Continue reading