It’s 1 am and your cell phone is ringing. It’s one of your tenants. A call at this hour, they’re not calling to say hi. There’s a major problem. What could it be? You reach for the phone with a pit in your stomach. Another day in the life of a landlord, right? Continue reading “The Downside of Being a Landlord”
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Determining Maintenance in New York
Maintenance, formerly called alimony, is financial support one spouse provides for the other during and/or after divorce proceedings. Maintenance is used to allow the supported spouse to maintain the lifestyle to which he or she is accustomed and to provide him/her with an opportunity to ‘rehabilitate’ and develop the skills or undergo the training necessary to be financially self-sufficient. Continue reading “Determining Maintenance in New York”
How a Government Shutdown Can Affect New York Businesses
It was recently announced that, if Congress does not pass a spending bill by April 29, 2017, the federal government will run out of money and shut down. Congress has yet to present a spending bill and, without one in place, the federal government is not authorized to pay its expenses. The last government shutdown lasted 16 days in October 2013 and cost American taxpayers $2 billion for lost productivity, according to the Office of Management and Budget. When the federal government shuts down, it not only affects federal government workers, but also businesses and the U.S. economy overall. Continue reading “How a Government Shutdown Can Affect New York Businesses”
Will a Divorce Affect My Last Will and Testament?
After an individual executes a Last Will and Testament, there may be changes in their life that could affect the way their assets are distributed under their last will and testament. One of the more common changes that may affect a Will is a divorce. A divorce can be an overwhelming experience, and often times, people do not think about the important estate planning implications that a divorce may have. Continue reading “Will a Divorce Affect My Last Will and Testament?”
New York City Sues Verizon in Contract Dispute
New York City’s continued wait for access to Verizon’s FiOS service has resulted in a lawsuit. Verizon promised the city in a 2008 contract to provide access to its fiber-optic FiOS service to all New York City residents by the year 2014. Three years later, Verizon has not come close to meeting the goal. The original contract was agreed upon by the parties in order to provide New York City residents more options for receiving affordable cable television service. Continue reading “New York City Sues Verizon in Contract Dispute”
New York Employer Guidelines for Wage Garnishment
When an employee does not pay off his or her debt, a creditor may turn to wage garnishment as a means of collecting the money that is owed. Under New York State law, creditors are restricted in the amount that they can garnish from an employee’s wages for repayment of debt. It is important that New York employers accurately and appropriately manage wage garnishment while remaining in compliance with the law. Continue reading “New York Employer Guidelines for Wage Garnishment”
Estate Planning and Your Digital Assets
As our world becomes more virtual, so do the assets we own. Therefore, when making an estate plan, it is important not to overlook the digital assets you own as well. These assets include intellectual property, social media profiles, emails, credit card points, smartphones, or online storage and hardware. Most of these are locked using a password that only you know, so planning who will be able to gain access in the future is important. Continue reading “Estate Planning and Your Digital Assets”
What to Consider When Drafting a Partnership Agreement
Starting a partnership can be a very exciting time for new entrepreneurs. When starting a partnership in New York, there are several steps to follow. While drafting a partnership agreement is not mandatory in New York, it is recommended so that there are no misunderstandings between you and your business partners. Executing a well-drafted partnership agreement can help your partnership plan for any future occurrences and help your business run smoothly. In drafting a partnership agreement, there are several things that should be covered. Continue reading “What to Consider When Drafting a Partnership Agreement”
Tax Filing Considerations for Divorced Couples
As April 15 quickly approaches, more people are seeking to file their taxes each day. However, for couples who have recently divorced, filing taxes may present unique challenges. Many find themselves asking similar questions regarding how each individual will file their taxes during and after divorce proceedings, which spouse can claim the child or children as dependents, and whether or not alimony and child support are tax-deductible. Continue reading “Tax Filing Considerations for Divorced Couples”
Forming a Limited Liability Company
The first step to forming a business in New York State is to decide what type of entity is best. Each type of entity has their own benefits, but the decision is often made based on the structure, liability, tax, and management considerations surrounding your future business. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers a significant amount of flexibility and allows the business the liability protection of a corporation with the tax treatment of a partnership. Continue reading “Forming a Limited Liability Company”
