Posts written by buteralaw

Pay Zero Estate Taxes – You Must Be Kidding!

Within the last year a concept has developed whereby families whose net worth exceeds $1,400,000 in this calendar year (the approximate amount of assets that can be transferred free of federal estate tax by using two exemption equivalent credits of $675,000 each, plus adjustment for… Continue reading

Privacy and Security Online

In recent years there has been a marked increase in consumers’ venturing into electronic commerce, which, naturally, raises the issue whether personal information provided over the Internet is secure. Despite advances in self-regulation, many consumers still question the effectiveness of industry efforts to keep their… Continue reading

Is Limited Tort Worth It?

From time to time over the last several years we have addressed the issue of whether drivers are better served electing “limited tort” or “full tort” insurance coverage. Since we handle many car accident cases, we see this issue often. The basic theory of limited… Continue reading

Latin Lovers

Suppose you are driving through the mountains of Colorado and get into a fender-bender with a driver from Massachusetts. Which state’s law governs the rights of the parties? Is it the law of Pennsylvania? Colorado? Massachusetts? Enter the doctrine of lex loci, otherwise known as… Continue reading

The Electronic “John Hancock”

On June 30, 2000, President Clinton signed the “Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act” (the “E-Signature Act”). To effect this historic piece of legislation, the President used both a traditional pen and an electronic “smart card,” a card which contains an integrated microprocessor… Continue reading

Disability Related Inquiries and Medical Examinations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

On July 27, 2000, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released guidance on disability-related inquiries and medical examinations relating to existing employees. According to the EEOC, a “disability-related inquiry” is a question or series of questions which are likely, directly or indirectly, to elicit information about… Continue reading

Supreme Court: Real or Veneer?

Apart from the daily wrangling back and forth, the battle between Al Gore and George Bush gave us a rare close-up of the United States Supreme Court in action. The Court, clothed with an aura of moral authority, conducts its business behind the scenes and… Continue reading

The Family and Medical Leave Act

Signed into law in 1993, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was viewed by many as a beacon of economic security and family integrity. Almost 62% of Pennsylvania’s workforce was directly affected by the FMLA. The FMLA permits certain employees to take up to… Continue reading

Nursing Home Selection: Questions to Ask

There are many issues to consider when you or a loved one is contemplating entering a nursing home. Here is a list of some of the more important matters you may want to consider when selecting a nursing home for a loved one: What are… Continue reading

GUST: The IRS Does It Again

Qualified retirement plans must be amended and restated since the IRS approval letters on which they rely have expired and the law has changed. The deadline for restating qualified retirement plans under Revenue Procedures 2000-20 and 2000-27 (the so-called “GUST” amendments) is the last day… Continue reading