Yearly Archives: 2013
Queen’s English – The Tired Metaphor
A metaphor is defined as a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that designates one thing is applied to another in an implicit comparison. It is a tool to be used with discretion; much more often than not, the metaphor can be a… Continue reading
Psychiatric Injury to Real Estate, Part 2
Several months ago I wrote about a case in Delaware County involving psychiatric damage to real property. At that time, the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas had denied preliminary objections and allowed the case to go forward. The facts of the case were that… Continue reading
What Happened to My Mechanic’s Lien?
In this economy, contractors and subcontractors occasionally decide to file a mechanic’s lien claim without any assistance from a lawyer. When it works, I am sure there are high-fives throughout the office with someone invariably questioning why the involvement of a lawyer would ever be… Continue reading
Legislature Further Clarifies Rules about a Municipality’s Release of a Developer’s Improvements Mon
When a municipality approves a new subdivision or land development, the law requires that the developer post financial security to guarantee completion of public improvements (roads, curbs, sidewalks, sewer and water lines, etc.). Financial security may be posted in various forms, including an escrow account… Continue reading
Buying a Business
With the improving economy we seem to be witnessing an uptick in the sale and purchase of small and medium-sized businesses. Banks are lending once again and potential buyers are more optimistic about the future of our economy. Sale of business transactions virtually ground to… Continue reading
Full Tort Auto Injury Coverage Expanded (A Bit)
Consistently through the years we have in this paper urged all who are purchasing automobile liability insurance to opt for full tort coverage under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (“MVFRL”) (as opposed to limited tort). It will cost you a higher premium (approximately 20%… Continue reading
Once Again, Major Changes to Liquor Sales are Proposed
In February 3rd, Governor Corbett announced his most recent plan to privatize the sale of alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania. Under the Governor’s proposal he expects the State to raise $1 billion dollars over a three to four-year period by selling and auctioning wholesale and retail… Continue reading
Federal Estate Taxes
For those of you who resisted jumping off the fiscal cliff the news in the estate planning area is mixed but mostly pretty good. While the rate of tax on federally taxable estates has been raised, most of the uncertainty that we have been living… Continue reading