Articles written byZoning law changes can have a significant impact on plans that owners may have for their property. If the zoning code is modified to prohibit a use that was previously permissible, the property may continue to be used in the same way if it is a prior non-conforming use. However, that may not help an … Read more
There are many formalities required when properly executing a will. When these are not followed, there is a significant risk that the will cannot be admitted to probate. That means the decisions you made in designing your estate plan will not be implemented and instead, your assets will be distributed under intestate laws as if … Read more
Until recently, if a party wanted to obtain social media evidence in a lawsuit, New York courts would apply a different standard than for other types of evidence. The idea was to give more protection to online information that was intended to be kept private (or available only to a restricted group of people). The … Read more
Nonprofit organizations must obtain an exemption under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code in order for contributions or donations to the organization to be tax deductible. In addition, organizations also must satisfy federal and state registration and filing requirements. However, the differences in federal and state rules can cause concerns for nonprofits, as highlighted … Read more
Individuals have a right of privacy in their medical records under various laws and under the U.S. Constitution. These rights aren’t unlimited, but you can restrict access to your health information and sue if someone violates your rights in certain situations. Your right to sue depends on who breached your privacy and how the breach … Read more
If you bought or leased a car that’s a “lemon,” you may have a remedy under New York law. The Lemon Law protects consumers when a car doesn’t meet certain standards and can’t be reasonably fixed. If certain requirements are met, the buyer/lessee can get a free repair or buyback. When does the Lemon Law … Read more
The new tax law has gotten a lot of media coverage in New York mostly because of the loss of the State and local tax deduction and the end of the “Obamacare” health insurance individual mandate. Less attention is paid to the significant estate and gift tax changes contained in the law. These provisions may … Read more
Internships are widely considered to be beneficial for students, even if they are unpaid. They are supposed to provide practical experience and insight into how the student’s education is applied in a work setting. However, just because a student agrees to an unpaid internship, this does not mean that the employer automatically avoids liability under … Read more
Since March 2000, New York has allowed the use of electronic signatures on electronic records in place of actual signatures. The New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA) applies to anyone using or accepting electronic records and signatures in New York State, including persons and entities in the public and private sectors. An electronic … Read more
Medical records may be relevant to litigation in different types of cases, including personal injury, malpractice and contractual disputes involving medical or dental (and other healthcare) providers. However, that does not mean that medical records can be freely disclosed by providers. Medical records contain sensitive and confidential personal information which generally should not be disclosed … Read more