Posts written by buteralaw

Management Companies for Liquor Licensees

Pennsylvania liquor license may only be used by the owner of that license, the “licensee.”  The licensee may not lease the license or allow an individual that is not  recognized by the Liquor Control Board (LCB) as the owner to use that license.  However, the LCB… Continue reading

Co-Ownership of Real Estate: Title Matters

In Pennsylvania, title to real estate can be held by co-owners in various ways – as tenants in common, as joint tenants with right of survivorship, as tenants by the entirety and as tenants in partnership.  We are commonly asked what the differences are among… Continue reading

Update on Mechanic’s Liens and Union Benefit Funds

In prior newsletters we have discussed the case of the Bricklayers of Western Pennsylvania Combined Funds, Inc. v. Scott’s Development Company.  The Superior Court in that case determined that a union’s benefit pension fund was entitled to a mechanic’s lien against real estate on which… Continue reading

Queen’s English – Each Is

Using the noun each properly can be a challenge.  Because it is often followed by a prepositional phrase referring to a plural noun, the temptation is to use a plural verb with it.  “Each of the team members has his own helmet.”  There is a… Continue reading

Beer Distributors Can Now Sell 12-Packs

On March 6, 2015, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Office of Chief Counsel issued a legal advisory informing brewers that they may sell “original containers” to distributors as long as the container contains at least 128 fluid ounces. Those original containers may then be sold… Continue reading

What is Interpleader? (Stuck in the Middle Again…

Interpleader is a legal remedy designed to protect a stakeholder caught between two competing claimants who have sued or threatened to sue the stakeholder to recover money or other property.  Easy to say but not always easy to comprehend. Perhaps the best way to understand… Continue reading

Anatomy of the Health Care Directive

At various times in this newsletter, we have advised individuals to obtain an advanced health care directive and health care power of attorney.  Understandably, most people want their wishes to be known regarding end of life decisions and would not want these decisions placed in… Continue reading

Employment Law Update: Employees Having Direct Contact with Children

Prior to December 31, 2014, prospective employees of child-care service providers, day cares and the like were required to complete a three-part criminal background investigation and thereafter, based on those reports, be cleared by the employer before beginning employment. Beginning December 31, 2014 however, the… Continue reading

8 Ways to Reduce Your Insurance Bill

The cost of property insurance and automobile insurance seems to go up every year. However, there are a few ways that you can fight back. Here is a list of 8 suggestions for containing your insurance costs: ♦     Review the coverage amount of… Continue reading

Statutes of Limitation

A statute of limitation is a law or rule that requires specific types of claims to be brought in court within a certain time frame, or be forever barred.  Some limitation periods are short; others can be longer.  Here is a chart showing the applicable… Continue reading