Legal Talk

Copyright Laws for Freelancers in the Digital Space

As the reach of technology has expanded in the digital age and an increasing amount of commerce has gone online, many Americans have decided to leave the 9 to 5 routine and work for themselves as freelancers, also known as independent contractors. It cannot be denied that making the move to freelancing certainly has its perks. By having the freedom to make your own decisions, you can set your pay...

What are the Different Types of Compensatory Damages?

The basic definition of compensatory damages is of the monetary damages awarded a plaintiff in a lawsuit for the loss he or she has suffered because of the actions of the defendant. What many may not realize, however, is that there are two types of compensatory damages: actual damages (sometimes called “special damages”) and general damages. Knowing the differences between the two is essential in understanding how courts compensate...

The Rules Keep Changing – COVID-19 brings Dizzying Changes to Law

We are being bombarded, inundated, swamped and over-run with changes in the law - some temporary, some permanent and some yet-to-be-determined.    There are two biggies on the Federal level: CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) and FFCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act). States and municipalities are churning out directives daily if not hourly. If it was not so mind-boggling, it would almost be funny. Anyway, here are a few...

Annuity Fraud: When a Good Product Goes Bad

At its heart, an annuity is simply a type of investment that accumulates funds and then pays them out in an income stream.  Think of it as pouring several gallons of water into a container and then turning on the spigot to let it slowly dribble out.  Annuities are widely used for retirement, long-term care and Medicaid planning. Annuities are also used by unscrupulous agents to scam elders.  Aside from...

Form 709 and You – A Primer on Gift Taxation

A frequent question I get from clients is “isn’t there a limit on how much I can give?” The answer is that there is no limit on how much you can give, there is a limit on how much you can give without filing a gift tax return (Form 709). Yes, in addition to the income tax we are all familiar with, there is such a thing as a gift...

Gifts Or Ademption?

Your Aunt Edna recently died (sorry to hear that, but she was in bad health anyway). She left a 1987 Will. In that Will, she left you her 1986 Buick Century Station Wagon. It’s a true classic, complete with fake wood side panels. Unfortunately, three months before she died, she sold her Buick and bought a new Cadillac. What a blessing, you think. She clearly wanted you to have her car,...