News & Insights

DEBTOR AVOIDS PAYING MORTGAGE BECAUSE OF LENDER’S DELAY IN PURSUING FORECLOSURE

debtor

When a debtor defaults on a mortgage, the lender must commence an action for foreclosure within the statute of limitations. In New York, the statute of limitations is six years and it starts running upon the acceleration of the debt following a default in payment. Essentially, when a debtor defaults, the lender “accelerates” the mortgage … Read more

BUYING THE ASSETS OF A BUSINESS? AVOID A DE FACTO MERGER

de facto

Generally, New York law provides that a company that buys the assets of another business is not liable for the seller’s pre-existing liabilities. However, there are several important exceptions to this rule. One of them is known as the de facto merger doctrine and it creates successor liability when the transaction between the purchasing and … Read more

Information About Economic Duress

economic duress

Generally, courts will respect and enforce the terms of a contract. However, one exception to that rule involves situations where one party was coerced into signing a contract by the other party. Economic duress occurs when one side threatens to breach the agreement if the other party doesn’t accept the new terms. When it occurs, … Read more

LET THE BUYER BEWARE: TITLE INSURANCE MAY NOT FULLY PROTECT YOUR REAL ESTATE PURCHASES

Real estate purchasers in New York almost always buy title insurance at the time of the transaction. However, a case decided by the New York Appellate Division, First Department on September 3, 2019 confirmed that even when title insurance is obtained, issues regarding title can still arise. In Akasa Holdings LLC v. 214 Lafayette House, … Read more

Suing an Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractor Is Not as Easy as You Think

New York City (and various other counties throughout the State) now impose a requirement that all contractors doing home improvements must have licenses issued by the municipality where the work is to be performed. Indeed, in 2006, the NYC Administrative Code added Title 20, Chapter 2, Subchapter 22 which addresses home improvements and sets out … Read more

Does a Lease’s “No Pet” Provision Apply to Emotional Support Animals?

All landlords should know they cannot discriminate against those who are disabled. The New York Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination throughout the State on the basis of disability, including in housing situations. However, many landlords may not be aware of how broadly the law applies especially in light of a recent court decision protecting disabled … Read more