Newsletter Past Issues

2012 Winter

  • ORGANIZE YOUR ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS
    • Essential Documents to Organize
  • TOMATO: FRUIT OR VEGGIE?
  • NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION NOT ALLOWED IN THE SUBURBS
  • "FREEZE" YOUR CREDIT TO HELP PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT
  • THE IRS IS HERE TO HELP
    • Tax Lien Thresholds
    • Tax Lien Withdrawals
    • Direct Debit Installment Agreements and Liens
    • Installment Agreements and Small Businesses
    • Offers in Compromise
  • YET ANOTHER HAZARD ON THE GOLF COURSE

2011 Fall

  • SBA LOANS CAN HELP TO FINANCE SMALL BUSINESSES
    • 7(a) Loan Program
    • CDC/504 Loan Program
    • Microloan Program
  • CHALK ONE UP FOR THE LITTLE GUY
  • ESTATE PLANNING WITH ILITS
  • DON'T LOSE YOUR CHARITABLE DEDUCTION
  • FINANCIALLY SPEAKING, KEEP IT SIMPLE
    • Direct Deposit
    • Recurring Bills
    • Online Banking
    • Automatic Savings
    • Consolidation
    • Up-to-Date and Available
    • If a Disaster Strikes
  • EMPLOYEES WIN BENEFIT PROTECTIONS

2011 Summer

  • HOW TO FRANCHISE YOUR BUSINESS
    • Questions
    • Ingredients for Success
  • DELETING COMPANY E MAIL
  • SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE WORKPLACE
  • BORROWERS, LENDERS, AND PROCESSING PAYMENTS
  • NEW GIFT TAX BREAK
  • FDIC INSURANCE UPDATE

2011 Spring

  • NEW FEDERAL TAX LAW ENACTED
    • Your Paycheck
    • Your Investments
    • Your Estate
    • Your Retirement
  • REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP
    • Home Appraisal Fraud
    • Noncompliance with HUD
  • CYBERSQUATTING AND THE COURTS
  • EMPLOYMENT RETALIATION CLAIMS SURGING
  • DIFFERENT WAYS TO HOLD INVESTMENT PROPERTY
  • Outright Ownership
    • Joint Ownership
    • General Partnerships
    • Limited Partnerships
    • Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

2011 Winter

  • U.S. SUPREME COURT: ARBITRATION IS THE NEW EMPLOYMENT LAW
    • Allocation of Power
    • Contract Formation
    • Class Action Arbitration
    • TAKING LAND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
  • BANK ACCOUNTS ARE A CHANGING
  • SEASON TICKETS CANNOT BE SEIZED
  • JUNK FAX EXEMPTIONS

2010 Fall

  • INNOCENT SPOUSE TAX RELIEF
    • Conditions for Relief
    • Equitable Relief
  • WEBSITES AND WHERE TO SUE
  • BETTER(?) DISCLOSURE FOR MORTGAGE CONSUMERS
    • Mixed Reaction
  • NO ESTATE TAXES FOR POD BENEFICIARY
  • DEBIT VERSUS CREDIT CARDS
    • Debit Cards
    • Credit Cards
  • KNOW ABOUT THE “NO ZONE”
  • MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS BACK FOR 2010

2010 Summer

  • WHAT IS AN S CORPORATION?
  • MYSPACE, STUDENTS, AND FREE SPEECH
    • Profile Goes Too Far
    • Parody May Be Allowed
  • TAX CREDITS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  • SCULPTOR SLAYS GOVERNMENT GOLIATH
  • CHOOSING AN EXECUTOR FOR YOUR WILL
  • OVERTIME PAY UPDATE
    • Insurance Adjusters Exempt
    • Saleswoman Entitled to OT


2010 Spring

  • REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP
    • Condominium Buyers Cannot Revoke Contract
    • Lapsed Flood Insurance
    • Misrepresentation About Water Damage Is Not “Property Damage”
    • BUSINESS LOANS CANNOT REDUCE ESTATE TAXES
  • AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AMENDMENTS
    • “Regarded As” Claims
    • Major Life Activities
    • Mitigating Measures
    • Per Se Disabilities
    • Conclusion
  • E MAILED DOCUMENTS ALLOWED
  • CREDIT CARD ACT
  • CAR DEALERS CLASH WITH WEBSITE

2009/2010 Winter

  • LITIGATION OVER NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS
  • TAX BREAKS FOR COLLEGE COSTS
    • American Opportunity Tax Credit
    • Lifetime Learning Credit
    • Tuition and Fees Deduction
  • LENDER MUST RETURN DEBTOR’S VEHICLE
  • MEDICAID BENEFITS AND SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS
  • GOLFER CAN’T BE SUED FOR ERRANT SHOT

2009 Fall

  • CAREGIVER BIAS IN EMPLOYMENT
  • BONUS PLAN MAY TRIGGER OVERTIME
  • LIFE INSURANCE POLICY RESCINDED
  • $200,000 FOR IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM
  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS
  • FDIC INSURANCE UPDATE

2009 Summer

  • E-MAILS CAN MODIFY CONTRACTS
    • Cautionary Case
  • ROTH 401(K)S
  • NEW IDENTITY THEFT RULES AFFECT BUSINESSES
    • Covered Accounts
    • Red Flags
  • RELIGIOUS LAND-USE LAWSUITS
  • COLD FEET COST GROOM $150,000
  • ESTATE PLANNING FOR VACATION HOMES

2009 Spring

  • Real Estate Roundup
    • No Show Mover Must Make Mortgage Payments
    • Economic Loss Rule Bars Misrepresentation Claim
    • Religious Icon Removed From Condo
  • Website Terms Of Use
  • Employers And Job References
  • Harassment Policy Violates Free Speech
  • Estate Planning: A Gift Of Debt

2008/2009 Winter

  • Business Start Up Checklist
  • Bank Violates Truth In Lending Act
  • Age Discrimination In Employment
  • All In The Family—Father Wins $4 Million From Daughter
  • Generation Skipping Trusts
  • New Nonprofit Tax Forms

2008 Fall

  • Get It In Writing
  • Employers: Don’T Let Tips Trip You
  • Landowner Gets Settlement For “Taking”
  • Cyber Insurance For Businesses
    • Categories of Losses
  • LLC Ruling Favors Taxpayers
  • Federal Estate Tax
  • Bicycle Safety
    • Remember: Bikes Are Vehicles, Too
    • Wear a Helmet
    • Be Visible
    • Be Aware

2008 Summer

  • Employer Forced To Pay Unapproved Overtime
    • Suggestions from the Court
  • Like Kind Exchanges
    • Requirements
    • Qualified Intermediary
    • Factors to Consider
  • Protection For Parodies
  • Outlaw Vs. Rule Of Law
  • Lawyer’s Approval For Acceptance Of Offer
  • Home Improvement Scams

2008 Spring

  • Real Estate Roundup
    • Flood Zone Fraud
    • Condemnation Action Dooms Business
    • Mold Exclusion Enforced
  • Careful What You Click
  • The Power Of A Power Of Attorney
  • Is It "Work" To Dress For Work?
  • Intrafamily Loans Subject To Tax Laws
  • Baseball Strikes Out On Stats
  • Quotable

2007/2008 Winter

  • Family Responsibilities and the Workplace
  • The Murky Waters of Wetlands Protection
  • Small Business - Maintaining a Safe Workplace
  • LLC Owner Liable for Employment Taxes
  • Misconceptions about FDIC Insurance
  • Vacation Home Tax Treatment
  • Quotable

2007 Fall

  • Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Update
  • IRS Gets Tough on Deferred Compensation
  • Excluded Heirs May Still Inherit
  • “ARM” Borrowers Beware! 
  • Can You Trademark a Flavor?
  • “Hours of Service” Under the FMLA

2007 Summer

  • What Happens to Your E-Mail After You Die?
  • Beware of Fake Checks
  • Does yhe ADA Apply to Websites?
  • Watch Your Language, Debt Collectors
  • Zoning Laws and the Exercise of Religion
  • Unsightly Appearances

2007 Spring

  • Doing Business on the Web-Clickwrap Agreements
  • Real Estate Law Update 
  • Establishing Patent Priority for Interfering Patent Applications 
  • Tax Consequences of Selling Collectibles
  • Estate Planning 101: What is a Trust?

2006/2007 Winter

  • Employment Discrimination and Retaliation by Employers
  • Roth IRA Conversions
  • Commercial Landlord Sued for Unsafe Conditions
  • Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
  • Employee or Independent Contractor?
  • Did You Know?

2006 Fall

  • Deducting The Business Use of Your Home
  • The Dangers of Employee Internet Use
  • Inadequate Notice of  Tax Sale
  • Non Owner Can Be Liable Under FHA
  • Qualified Personal Residence Trust
  • Financial Planning For A Disaster
  • Steer Clear of Big Rigs