Click on an item's title to read the article.

Defamation on the internet vs. Privacy issues.

A Word About Tax Deductions
The IRS takes a dim view of people deducting support payments when they should not.

ADA Protects Employees with Cancer
Cancer is a

Advertising by Fax
Junk faxes are illegal and can impose liability under federal statute.

AEDs (automated external defibrillators) Help Treat Heart Attacks but Can Cause Legal Headaches
Tips for businesses with AEDs on the premises

AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT
ADEA - where it applies and where it does not.

Alimony and Alimony Pendente Lite (APL)
Pennsylvania divorce cases allow for both Alimony and Alimony Pending Litigation.

An Expensive Tee Shot
Business related golf outing can give liability to host for injuries sustained during the outing.

Business liability for failing to investigate credit complaint
Fair Credit Reporting Act requires investigation of credit information disputes.

BUSINESS STARTUP—SHOULD YOU BE A “FRANCHISE PLAYER”?
Launching a business is a little like walking a tightrope, with any longterm rewards coming only after overcoming some risk. Being well informed and realistic from the outset is essential.

Capital Gains Tax Exclusion on Sale of Principal Residence - Final Rules from IRS
The IRS has issued its final rules on the capital gains tax exclusion that is available on the sale of a taxpayer's principal residence.

Capped Commissions
Employment contracts giving discretion to the employer will be upheld.

Changes in Income Tax Code
While much is due to "sunset" after 2004, there are important changes in the 2003 tax act.

Child and Spousal Support
Pennsylvania rules and procedures for determining support.

Child Custody
Elementary pieces to the custody dispute.

COBRA and Lost Health Coverage
Duty of employer with COBRA benefits.

Contractual Agreements to Arbitrate
Generally appearing in employment contracts, these clauses can turn up in most commercial agreements. Be warned, in most cases they are enforcable.

Cyber Squatting
Registering web addresses.

Economic Loss due to Closed Street
Non-PA Court ruled that various businesses could not recover economic damages from a property owner when the property owner's conduct caused the closure of a street.

Employer's Guide to Labor Law
U.S. Dept. of Labor puts out information on areas they enforce.

Employment and Military Service
An employer's duties when an employee is called up.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW UPDATE - June 2005
Trespass laws may not apply to environmental inspections. Update on CERCLA cleanup liability

Equitable Distribution
Rules on dividing marital property in Pennsylvania.

Estate Planning Checklist
Checklist for updating and adjusting your estate plan to best take advantage of changes in the law.

Family Limited Partnerships Draw IRS Scrutiny
FLPs must have business purpose in addition to reducing estate and gift taxes.

FDIC Insurance for Revocable Trusts
Rules on FDIC insurance coverage for living trust accounts in FDIC-insured institutions.

Federal Advertising Guidelines For Businesses
Guidelines to determine what one is allowed to advertise and what is prohibited.

Fully Utilizing Marital Deductions
Failure to use the marital deduction can result in larger estate tax payments.

Gifting as an Estate Planning Tool
How giving gifts during one's lifetime can be used to reduce estate taxes

Handicapped-Accessible Apartments
Case shows the importance of making sure design conforms to regulations for handicapped-accessibility before beginning construction.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
A brief primer.

Homeowners' Insurance Denied Coverage due to Business Use
The business exclusion on many policies will allow an insurance company to deny coverage where a portion of the home is, in fact, used for a business.

Homeowners' Insurance Denied Coverage over Definition of 'Home'
A 'home' was found not to include a separate building on the same property.

Independent Contractor and Corporate Liability
Corporation held liable for act of independent contractor security guard.

Individual 401(k) Plans
Newly created savings plan with new features.

Insurance Company May Sue Renter for Fire Damage
Renters Cannot Assume they are Covered by Landlord's Insurance Policy

Joint Bank Accounts
A joint bank account holder generally may make decisions which bind both holders.

Liability of Credit Reporting Agency
Jury award against a credit reporting agency that failed to correct information.

Life Insurance Estate Planning
Life insurance as part of your estate plan.

Limited Liability Corporations
Discussion of the usefulness and requirements of this legal entity.

Living Wills can be Customized for a Client's Religious or Other Beliefs
Living wills do not need to take a "cookie cutter" approach but can be customized to meet a client's religious and spiritual needs

Long Term Care Insurance
Estate Planning utilizing long term care insurance.

Long-Arm Jurisdiction
Pulling a "foreign" defendant into PA.

Long-Arm Jurisdiction Falls Short
Pulling a "foreign" defendant into PA.

Minimize your Risk of Identity Theft
Identity thieves have many ways to steal information. Here are steps you can take to reduce your chance of being an identity theft victim.

Model Pictured on Coffee Jars Wins Big Contractual Damages Award
Model had been promised additional payments if his photo was used

New Estate Planning Technique
Fully utilizing tax credits in a couple's estate plan.

New FUTA Tax Deposit Rules for Small Businesses
Fewer employers will be required to make quarterly deposits

New Rule Affects the Disposal of Consumer Credit Information
Rules regarding handling of consumer credit information

Personal Guarantees Deemed to be those of a Fiduciary are Non-Dischargable
Where gaurantors were also fiduciaries, they could not get their debt discharged in bankruptcy.

Predatory Lending
Some information about the unfortunate practice that most often victimizes elderly and anyone who is not independently wealthy.

Pregnancy Discrimination at Work
Civil rights law requires employers to treat employees with temporary disability due to pregnancy the same as any other temporarily disabled employee.

Privacy on Office Computer
Even though the employee was permitted to keep his corporation's computer at home, a court ruled that he had no expectation of privacy in the data.

Property Transfers and Medicaid Eligibility
Discusses application of rules on gifting assets of a person applying for Medicaid

Protect Your Home wiht Title Insurance
Important insurance to protect property owners from hostile claims of ownership of property

Public Takings
Courts begin putting the brakes on 'takings'.

Retirement Guide for Small Businesses
Free CD-ROM from IRS to help small businesses start and run retirement plans

Roth 401(k) is New Retirement Investment Option
Roth IRA features now available in a 401(k) setting

Safeguards for Electronic Banking
Useful information for users of ATMs, debit cards and other electronic banking transactions

Schedule CEZ now available to more businesses
Expanded eligibility for use of Schedule CEZ will save paperwork for many small businesses.

Settling Tax Issues with the IRS
IRS makes it easier to settle tax debts.

Small Businesses and the ADA
Who is protected and how.

Social Security Number Verification for Employers
Employers can verify employees Social Security numbers online to ensure proper earnings credit

Tax Credits for Historic Preservation
Tax incentives dealing with historic buildings.

The Divorce Itself
Basic structure of a divorce matter.

Town Cannot Exclude Synagogues with Zoning
Federal law bars towns from using zoning to treat religious institutions less favorably than nonreligious institutions.

Truth in Lending
A credit card company was found to have taken part in a variation of the 'bait and switch'.

Unsolicited Credit Cards
A statutory means of keeping credit reporting agencies from providing your name and address.

Venue for Unemployment Benefits
Courts, using an outdated model, are deciding where a worker must apply for benefits.

VETERANS' BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT
A new federal law has enhanced the rights of members of the armed services during active duty and on their return to the civilian workforce.

Where to Sue? Websites can Affect Jurisdiction
How a website functions can determine whether courts in a state have jurisdiction over out-of-state businesses