Posts written by buteralaw

You Can’t Take it With You…

For individuals with substantial estates, 2012 presents what may be a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to take advantage of the Federal gift tax exemptions.  Gifts to family members can be a favorable way to “shrink” your estate to avoid estate tax on death.  Here… Continue reading

Photo ID is NOT Required to Vote this November

There is good deal of confusion about whether Pennsylvania voters will be required to produce a photo ID at polling places on November 6th.   The current status of the voter ID law is that photo identification is not necessary to vote on November 6th.   Even… Continue reading

Monitoring an Agent Under a Power of Attorney

We frequently receive calls from individuals who are concerned about the conduct of their loved one’s agent under a power of attorney.  While the details change, the pattern is often the same; a child who is not his or her parent’s agent under a power… Continue reading

In Passing: Judges are Only Human

In Arkansas a Supreme Court Judge, Sam Pope, has been suspended for 30 days for getting himself into a fistfight.  In a Walmart’s no less! Seems that Judge Pope’s wife was involved in extramarital behavior with a man whose name is Bill Murray (not that… Continue reading

Pennsylvania’s New Public Works Employment Verification Act

Beginning January 1, 2013, a contractor or a subcontractor on a “public work” project in Pennsylvania must verify to the public body it is contracting with that it has checked the employment eligibility of its newly hired workers. As a precondition of being awarded a… Continue reading

Responding to a Liquor License Citation

Sale of alcohol is regulated by both the federal government and the Commonwealth.  The agency that regulates and controls the sale of alcohol in Pennsylvania is the Liquor Control Board (LCB).  Before a restaurant, bar, deli, brewery, hotel or similar establishment can legally sell alcohol… Continue reading

Ice Beer – – Yum!

Although it is not promoted widely by the beer manufacturers, ice beer (also known as eisbock, the German designation for it) may be working its way into your consciousness. It is manufactured by taking ordinary beer and sending it to subfreezing temperatures. (Note that this… Continue reading

PA Lawmakers Help Developers by Extending Permit Deadlines Again

In a prior article we reported that in July, 2010 the Pennsylvania Legislature adopted a law that extended until July, 2013 the expiration date of certain permits and approvals related to real estate development. Before the Pennsylvania Legislature recessed for summer break this year, it… Continue reading

Change in Transfer Tax Law on Transfers of Partnership Interests

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania imposes a 1% transfer tax on transfers of real estate.  In most counties other than Philadelphia, the local governments generally charge a matching 1% transfer tax.  The City of Philadelphia charges a 3% transfer tax in addition to the 1% payable… Continue reading

Estate Planning Alert

The ever-shifting tax battles in Washington have left estate planners in a quandary for the past 12 years; and it’s beginning to look as though the angst is to continue at least until November’s election. As you know, the so-called “Bush Era Tax Cuts” are… Continue reading