9th Circuit Affirms Decision Including Entire Value of GRAT in Decedent’s Gross Estate

On April 28, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued its opinion in Badgley v. U.S.  In so doing, the Court affirmed a lower court determination that the entire date-of-death value of the assets of a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (“GRAT”) were includible in the settlor’s gross estate for federal estate tax …

June 30, 2020 Deadline Looms Large for Businesses with 2018 Net Operating Losses

As if business owners did not have enough to worry about in light of various deadlines of all types including when and whether to submit Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan applications, how to account for the use of the funds, whether to return the PPP borrowed monies and when and how to file applications for …

Renewed Importance Of Interpreting And Drafting Force Majeure Clauses In Mining And Energy Contracts In Light Of COVID-19

Economic fluctuations bring about a number of difficult decisions for businesses operating in mining and energy industries in the form of staffing levels, production capacity increases or reductions, areas of expansion or contraction, supply chain challenges and overall business strategies.  With the current rollercoaster that commodity prices are on, in light of the demand ebbs …

How Do I Handle a Sad Child During Drop Off?

Many people understand the difficult decisions and tough times the divorce process can bring. Problems after divorce, however, are often given less consideration. A common quandary with post-divorce parents is how to handle a sad child during drop off with the other parent.  Often times, one parent will attribute the sadness to perceived deficiencies in …

Canada’s Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (CERCA)

On April 24, 2020, The Canadian Federal Government provided some details about the new Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (CECRA) for small businesses and commercial landlords. The CECRA was announced on April 16, 2020 to provide relief for small business tenants and, in some respect, landlords. Under the CECRA, the Federal Government will offer …