A recent court decision created a substantial loophole for insurance companies, which can hurt contractors. Although the court decision suggests that it does nothing more than interpret an insurance policy, it doesn’t make a great deal of sense from a logical standpoint. The case involved deciding when an insurance company has the duty to defend and when an… Read More »
As most lawyers know, legal recruiters have become a fact of life. Although telephone calls from recruiters may seem intrusive – or even annoying – during a hectic workday, a savvy lawyer (even one not interested in changing jobs) should not ignore these calls. Instead, you should take a moment to listen before deciding whether or not to… Read More »
The dot-coms’ demise has filled the news recently. Every day brings new reports of layoffs, CEO resignations and, inevitably, bankruptcies and liquidations. Those who never forgot that profits, a positive bottom line and a business plan really do matter may simply shrug, “Too bad!” Perhaps it’s as natural to dance on the hoods of repossessed Porsches of twenty-something… Read More »
By law, every landlord of a dwelling, except owner-occupied premises with not more than two rental units, must file with the clerk of the municipality in which the residential property is situated, or with the Bureau of Housing Inspection in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), a certificate of registration. N.J.S.A. 46:8-28. The certificate must contain the following… Read More »
Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers (an excerpt from the new book) INTRODUCTION The excerpt, below, is from Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers, by Keith Evans. It’s pulled from four sections of the book: The Dimensions of Advocacy, Advocacy as Theater, Cross-Examination, and Written Advocacy. It is both entertaining and… brief. The author, Keith Evans,… Read More »
The last article in this series on dealing with the Collection Division addressed Installment Agreements — arrangements through which tax debts can be resolved by means of monthly payments. Some folks, however, owe so much that an installment agreement is not a practical solution. Interest and penalties can accrue so quickly that the liability actually increases, despite the… Read More »
One of the tasks most frequently faced in representing clients before the IRS Collection Division is negotiating an “installment agreement” — an arrangement under which the taxpayer makes monthly payments against the outstanding tax debt, free of the threat of levy and distraint action. Despite the Service’s imposition of a system of miserly national and local expense “standards”… Read More »
So, you’ve been arrested, what in God’s name should you do next? One thing for sure, do not talk to the police. I’ll repeat, do not talk to the police. Also, you will need to get an attorney as fast as possible. I know after 9/11, there is now this warm fuzzy feeling about the police. But remember,… Read More »
It is a widely held belief that one of the most unfortunate circumstances in modern society is to have a tax return selected for audit by the Internal Revenue Service (Service). Estate tax returns are subject to audit and adjustment like any other tax return. Under current law, an estate tax return must be filed by the Personal… Read More »
A Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) is a trust in which the person establishing the trust, call the Grantor, reserves the use of a residence (either the Grantor’s primary residence or a seasonal residence) for a specified term of years. In the trust agreement, the Grantor designates the individuals who will be entitled to the property at the… Read More »