Posts written by buteralaw

What to Do When the IRS Calls

If you or your business is contacted by a representative of the Internal Revenue Service concerning a tax problem, you are best advised not to engage in any direct conversation or correspondence. Instead, politely avoid any substantive discussion and call your accountant or tax attorney;… Continue reading

Some Overlooked Deductions

How would you like to have Uncle Sam help pay for your lawyer or accountant at your next real estate settlement? If your tax advisor is on the ball, he or she will identify several deductible charges many people miss when they prepare their tax… Continue reading

Pennsylvania’s Implied Consent Law

At social gatherings the presence of alcoholic beverages is common, and many people believe that they can have a couple of drinks and still be in reasonable condition to drive home. While consuming one or two drinks may not render you “legally” intoxicated, there is… Continue reading

Why Was O.J. Acquitted?

At the risk of having the Law Update take on a controversial topic, why was O.J. Simpson acquitted? More than a few people have asked this question, and there are many possible explanations. Let’s explore one.The pundits in the news media are suggesting that Mr.… 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

Dram Shop Litigation

In the past decade a major body of law has developed around accidents involving people who have been served alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars, the so-called “dram shop” cases. Our courts have determined that if the owner of a bar serves an alcoholic beverage… Continue reading

Watch Those Limitation Periods!

Did you know that different types of lawsuits are subject to different statutes of limitation? For example, in Pennsylvania a case for libel or slander, sometimes called “defamation”, must be brought within one year following the defamatory conduct. This is a relatively short statute of… Continue reading

Spouse’s Guaranty May Be Unenforceable

Recent court cases have held that under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a commercial lender is not allowed to require the spouse of a business borrower to act as a guarantor or surety of a business loan. For example, if your company takes out a… Continue reading

Federal Estate Taxes and Life Insurance: Choose the Owner and Beneficiary Carefully

Who should be the owner and beneficiary of your life insurance policy? The answer depends on tax and property considerations. A life policy is issued to an “applicant” who may be the insured, a spouse, a trustee of a trust, or another person having an… Continue reading

Signing Papers for a Corporation

One of the advantages of doing business in the corporate form is limited liability – as a general matter, liability for contracts and damage claims is limited to the assets of the corporation, thereby shielding the assets of its shareholders from such claims. If you… Continue reading