Legal Articles

VA Pension Planning: Myths & Truth

January 11, 2013 – 212 views

There is a special benefit for war period veterans and their widow(er)s to help pay for long term care medical expenses. The benefit’s real name is “Improved Pension”, but it more commonly known as “Aid and Attendance Pension”. The benefit pays the claimant a cash payment to use as the claimant desires. These payments can significantly improve their quality of life... Full Story 

Pitfalls to Avoid When Planning for Clients Who Are Veterans

January 10, 2013 – 100 views

Helping clients obtain benefits through the Veterans Administration (“VA”) is a rapidly growing area. Estate planning and elder law attorneys alike are adding this to their repertoire of services to offer clients. It is easy to understand why: We are helping veterans who fought for our country to obtain much deserved benefits, of which many of them are currently unaware... Full Story 

Recession Proof Your Law Practice With VA Pension Planning

January 9, 2013 – 102 views

In today’s economy, estate planning practices are under tremendous stress to maintain revenue sources. With the many problems going on in our country, this is a tough time to be an estate planner. Our clients are worried about layoffs and how to cut discretionary spending, and there are more attorneys than ever. Also, most clients have no real urgency in getting their planning completed unless something catastrophic happens... Full Story 

The New Year is a Reminder of the Imminence of the Mandates of Health Care Reform

January 8, 2013 – 88 views

With the ringing in of the New Year, we are now officially on the eve of the employer mandate provisions within Health Care Reform. The employer mandate provisions require those employers with 50 or more "full-time equivalent" employees to offer "minimum value" coverage to employees that work... Full Story 

Challenging Statistical Evidence

January 7, 2013 – 86 views

Statistical and legal professions are both associated with collecting data and determining its collective meaning. Statisticians work closely with lawyers in order to solve complicated cases. Although stats are vital, lawyers must not be entirely dependent on help from professionals as it could have a negative impact. Lawyers understand words better than figures and diagrams, so there is always a communication gap when the two professions come together for the same cause. Following are the reasons why attorneys are required to study about statistics for a fantastic career in law... Full Story 

Pretty Woman, Walk on Down the Street [and out of the workplace] – Firing Attractive Female Employee Due to Wife’s Demand NOT Sex Discrimination

January 3, 2013 – 130 views

The media, particularly the Internet, is abuzz with reports related to the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision that loosely “makes it ok” to fire a pretty woman. Nelson v. James H. Knight, DDS, P.C., 11-1857 (Iowa Supreme Court 12/21/12). At first glance, the decision screams sex discrimination to most people. There was no dispute that the attractive female was an above average employee. On further analysis, however, the decision is in line with established case law and the underpinnings of discrimination law... Full Story 

Liability of Directors and Officers in the Wake of New Financial Regulations

January 2, 2013 – 100 views

The last two decades have brought to light a number of financial and accounting scandals. Large corporations, such as Enron, WorldCom, Countrywide and Bank of America, were revealed to be engaging in less than honest business practices. Shareholders, investors, and ordinary people struggling to pay the bills paid the large price for the intentional mistakes of a few people... Full Story 

Drafting Document Retention Policies

December 20, 2012 – 118 views

In the age of e-discovery, e-mail, and electronic filing cabinets, a properly drafted document retention policy is needed for most organizations. When putting together a policy for a client, consider these elements when drafting the document... Full Story