It is universally recognized that litigating legal decision making, parenting time or other parenting issues can be harmful to the development of children. Litigation involving minor children, especially high conflict and protracted litigation, can result in ongoing emotional turmoil, depression, lower levels of self-esteem and a higher risk of mental illness, substance abuse, educational difficulties …
Beneficiary Designations
ATTENTION TO DETAIL! You would think that this space need not be taken up with a reminder of the obvious importance of beneficiary designations for life insurance policies and retirement accounts (qualified and non-qualified). But those of us who practice in the trusts and estates area are frequently reminded, through painful experiences with clients, that …
Year-End Tax Planning: Maximizing the Tax Benefits of Charitable Contributions Under the TCJA
Many charities feared that the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) would have an adverse impact on charitable giving during 2018 and after. The significant increase to the standard deduction available to most individuals means that more taxpayers do not itemize their deductions, including charitable contributions. In effect, “losing” the charitable tax deduction and …
The “Secrets” of Long-Term Marriage
I recently had lunch with a non-lawyer friend who, like me, has been married over 30 years (34 years for me; 31 for him). He was having some doubts about long-term marriage and found it odd that a divorce attorney (like me) could be happily married and content for so long. He wanted to know …
F Drops: It is Not a Profane Concept for S Corporations!
While partnership vehicles (particularly multi-member LLCs) are ordinarily the flow-through entity of choice, many businesses – especially long-standing closely-held businesses and healthcare businesses – opt for S corporations status. S corporations can present tax efficiency challenges, particularly on the exit of a business. Purchasers rarely desire to acquire an historic corporation (which may end up …
Continue reading “F Drops: It is Not a Profane Concept for S Corporations!”
What Happens with Parenting Time and Custody if I Have to Move After my Divorce?
So you’ve gone through a divorce. You have survived the mental anguish of the process and a court order has been entered regarding custody and parenting time. Eventually, life has settled back down, you and your ex-spouse are complying with the court order and everything is going as it should. But what happens to custody …
Continue reading “What Happens with Parenting Time and Custody if I Have to Move After my Divorce?”
Ohio Enacts Sweeping Energy Legislation: HB 6 Bails Out Nuclear, Coal Rolls Back Renewables and Energy Efficiency Opponents Pursue Referendum
Ohio’s longstanding energy policy debate came to a (temporary) conclusion on July 23, 2019, when Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed House Bill (HB) 6 into law. The bill will have significant consequences for existing electricity resources in the region, as well as Ohio’s renewable portfolio standard and energy efficiency programs. Of course, that’s only if …
Obtaining an Order of Protection Without Filing for Divorce
As part of any divorce proceeding, it is possible to obtain exclusive possession of the former marital residence if circumstances indicate that there are safety concerns. However, if you are not ready to file for divorce, talk to your attorney about obtaining an order of protection if you are concerned about your safety, your children’s …
Continue reading “Obtaining an Order of Protection Without Filing for Divorce”
The Effect of Canada’s Revised Anti-Money Laundering Rules on Casino Operators
On July 10, 2019, the Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (the “Amending Regulations”) were formally released in the Canada Gazette. The formal release follows the June 2018 release of draft Amending Regulations. The Amending Regulations affect several regulated entities, including casinos. As such, casino …
Continue reading “The Effect of Canada’s Revised Anti-Money Laundering Rules on Casino Operators”
There’s Nothing Like the Feelings of a New Pencil for School: Michigan’s Proposed Tax Holiday for Back-To-School Supplies
House Bills 4824 and 4825 were introduced and referred to the Tax Policy committee early August. These house bills propose what will be, if passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed by the Governor, the only annual tax holiday in Michigan. The proposed tax holiday provides an exemption on certain school supplies from the state …