Best practice any time you enter into a business-related agreement is to put it in writing. This not only ensures there is no misunderstanding between the parties but provides a multitude of benefits in the event of a dispute because it gives each party certain rights and remedies under the law. Generally, a contract must…
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…
There are two ways you can have long-term care provided for you: 1. Long Term Care Insurance is an insurance product that helps pay for the cost of long-term care which generally covers home care, assisted living, adult daycare, respite care, hospice care, nursing homes, etc. Each long-term care plan varies based on the age,…
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…
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…
Failing to understand and stay current on labor and employment laws. There are a myriad federal, state and local laws that apply in an employment setting. These include wage and hour regulations, health and safety requirements as well as hiring, firing and discrimination laws. Every year also brings new laws. Employers must comply with these…
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…
