Yearly Archives: 2013
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished — Landlords Protect Yourselves
You only have to get burned once to realize that trying to be a benevolent landlord can cost you a lot of money and sleep. I represent large landlords, which lease hundreds of residential units, and they are keenly aware that, while it is important… Continue reading
Queen’s English Evolving Synonyms
Meanings of words change over time mostly because of general usage. It is not uncommon for purists, who usually wish to preserve our language “as is”, to be offended by these changes; but often to resist them is to try to reverse the changing tides.… Continue reading
What is a Spendthrift Trust
The laws of most states, including Pennsylvania, provide for the creation of “spendthrift trusts”. A spendthrift trust is, as its name suggests, a type of trust in which the trust assets are immune from creditors of the beneficiaries of the trust. Generally, such a trust… Continue reading
Estate Taxes are Probably Not Your Problem: Simplify Your Will, Review Your Estate Planning Devices
As we have noted in this newsletter on a number of occasions in the past year and a half, the federal estate tax has become a non-issue for most married couples, and opportunities to simplify estate plans now abound. In 2014, one individual will be… Continue reading
Fore II
In our continuing effort to keep you abreast of the latest news in golf liability (OK, it’s December – maybe we can’t play golf but we can write about it!) we bring you a recent case from New Jersey: A golfer playing a ball on… Continue reading
Update on Prior Articles
We had previously written about two important cases that are now on appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The first was Bricklayers of Western Pennsylvania Combined Funds, Inc. v. Scott Development Company (2012), in which the Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed a decision by the trial… Continue reading
On The Move…
March 1, 2014 will be an important date for the Firm as we relocate our offices . . . a few steps away! With our existing Lease at Suite 212 coming to an end after nearly 25 years we were presented with the opportunity to… Continue reading
Liquor License Transfers
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) issues, renews, or validates over 21,000 liquor licenses per year. A license can be issued only when there is both an owner (which can be either an individual or an entity) and a location for the license. Licenses associated… Continue reading
Spot Assessments and Appeals by Local Bodies
In past articles, we have published notices of deadlines for property owners to appeal real estate assessments where they believe the assessments to be too high. What if, due to changing market values or other causes, the assessment is too low? Real estate assessments are… Continue reading
Queen’s English – Those Pesky Homonyms
Homonyms, words that sound alike but are spelled differently, are sprinkled throughout English. Here are some to test your ears Bill’s expression was marred by a nervous tic/tick. The resolution of the suspense peaked/piqued her interest. The story had two discreet/discrete endings The messenger might… Continue reading