Every new year brings significant changes to New York’s labor and employment laws that employers must be aware of to protect themselves from potential exposure from Department of Labor audits, private lawsuits and other employment-related problems. Minimum Wage Increases New York State has increased the minimum wage each year for the past 4 years. For…
Due diligence is a necessary part of any business transaction. In the context of buying or leasing commercial property, the goal of due diligence is to review and analyze all relevant information which bears on the property or the seller/landlord in order make a well-informed decision about moving forward with the acquisition or lease. The…
Google words like “wills,” “trusts,” “power of attorney,” and other estate planning terms and you will find links to websites offering free or low-cost forms available for download. These sites tell you that you can DIY your own estate planning documents; why hire an attorney when you can prepare your own documents and save money?…
It is not unusual to experience some dissatisfaction with a contract after signing it. People seldom get everything they want, but sometimes they inadvertently agree to something that’s bad for business. Most of the time, you cannot do anything about it after the fact. Contracts are legal documents and give the parties the right to…
Just when you thought you were done updating your employment policies for the year, New York passes more employment laws. It has been an active 2019 with a host of recent legislation imposing additional obligations and potential liability on employers. Here is a summary of the most significant changes: Sexual harassment. In addition to last…
The goal of long-term care planning is to ensure individuals can get the proper care and support they need when they need it. While long-term care can involve various services, given in different settings, the associated costs are often a significant financial burden on families. As a result, the best time to think about your…
Nassau County recently announced a new service designed to alert county residents of fraudulent property record filings with the Nassau County Clerk. “Nassau County Property Fraud Alert” is an electronic notification service that alerts residents via email any time a land record document (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.) is recorded on their home. Suffolk County has…
Commercial leases are complex and can be intimidating to tenants who may have less power in negotiations. Even worse, the effects of a bad lease can last for years. If you must move or if your business fails, you may still be on the hook for payments. That’s why it’s crucial that you fully understand…
Are you ready for “gotcha” claims? That’s where someone deliberately goes looking for companies to sue for violating a law. For example, a client recently received a letter from an attorney claiming that they had violated the Fair Chance Act of New York City (“FCA”) and seeking $3,000 in fines, penalties and legal fees. Under…
Small business owners often juggle multiple responsibilities which can leave them vulnerable to neglecting important protections for their business. They also may feel they don’t need or cannot afford legal help so they will handle legal matters themselves. Unfortunately, the DIY approach is difficult to manage when there are so many different areas that can…
The “Me Too” movement has sparked discussions about how people treat each other in the workplace. While the “Me Too” movement primarily relates to sexual harassment in the workplace, employers must also be cognizant of the growing issue of violence/bullying that not only exists in workplace settings, but is as frequent and consequential as sexual…
The start of a new year is a good time to look back at what personal and financial changes have occurred over the last year and how they may impact your estate plan. Even if you don’t have to worry about an estate tax, you still should review your estate plan to ensure you are…
