Legal Insights
What is the SECURE Act?
High Swartz estate planning attorneys down and explains the highlights and how they can affect your retirement plans. What is the SECURE Act? The SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) is a bill designed to help Americans improve their ability to save for retirement. Currently, many financial analysts say that America is […]
Should Divorcing Couples File Jointly or Separately in PA?
It's not safe to assume that divorcing couples filing their income taxes one way over the other is better. In late March/early April, many divorcing couples have to make an important decision about filing their income taxes. Read some tips to answer your questions from Family Law Attorney, Mary Cushing Doherty. Don't listen to your […]
Changes to PA Spousal Support Guidelines for Dependent Spouses
Updated for 2020, learn from a family law attorney if spousal support changes and APL guidelines help or hurt, in terms of one’s personal cash flow. On December 28, 2018, new Pennsylvania spousal support changes and APL guidelines were issued that took effect on January 1, 2019. Litigants and lawyers both need to understand the […]
Why Real Estate Commission Agreements Should Always be in Writing
It's easy as a real estate agent to forgo the signing of important documents when performing services for a new client, friend, or family member. All to often, not getting your real estate commission agreement signed could make for issues trying to collect in the end. As a real estate agent in Pennsylvania, payment for […]
PFA in PA: Can I Expunge My Protection From Abuse Order?
Expungement of a PFA Order in Pennsylvania is a question that Family Law Attorneys hear a lot. The answer depends on how far the Protection from Abuse proceeded through the legal system. Let me explain. By way of background, a Protection from Abuse Order, or a “PFA Order” as it is more commonly called, is […]
What is a "Joint Employer?" The U.S. Department of Labor Clarifies
Being designated as a joint employer can have far-reaching ramifications per the FLSA. If you are the owner of a business or franchise that: has multiple locations utilizes contract labor shares employees with another related employer This matters to you, namely, multiple employers can be liable for one employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act […]
Contractor Laws | What is HICPA?
Are you a home improvement contractor? Have you agreed to perform home improvement work? Are you certain that the agreement you have made with your customer is valid and enforceable? What is HICPA? HICPA, or Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act imposes requirements on home improvement contractors. Such requirements include contractors’ registering with Pennsylvania’s Office of […]
PA Pipeline Construction FAQs
When many Pennsylvania landowners look out onto their backyards, they are unaware of the pipeline system that currently resides under their lawns. Many more are unaware of the bottleneck within the system that transports gas from a record-setting natural gas reserve in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania. That bottleneck is keeping over 1,000 of […]
Advanced Healthcare Directives in PA
Advanced Healthcare Directives are a necessary group of documents when planning an estate of a loved one, no matter their age. When planning your estate, it is often the best time to discuss how you would like your health care decisions to be made with a living attorney near you in the event you cannot […]
Understanding the Franchise Disclosure Document
Getting to know the types of franchise disclosures and some of the red flags can be very helpful to any prospective franchisee. If you have ever looked into acquiring a franchise, you are probably familiar with the term Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”), which is a newer term for and for Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (“UFOC”). […]