Protecting Yourself and Your Loved One Against Sweepstakes Scams and Financial Abuse
Our practice group has recently been made aware of a financial scam being perpetrated against our most vulnerable clients. The scam begins when an individual receives a letter or notice in the mail informing them that they have won a monetary prize in a sweepstakes. Before claiming their prize, the individual must submit fees and…
Advice and Guidance for the Financial Planner Advising Parents of Children with Life Long Disabilities
Parents and families providing for life time care of persons with disabilities will gain great peace of mind if they take the time to plan for the special needs family member’s future care while they still have the health, time and energy to do so. Planning is more than just having a will and a…
Love, Marriage and the Prenuptial Agreement
Spring is once again upon us, and with spring (and summer) comes another season of weddings. And while so much time, effort, and money go into planning the big day, the happy couple’s financial arrangements after the wedding are often not discussed or even contemplated before they exchange vows. Although the topic of finances, including…
Navigating the PERM Process
The employment-based green card process (also known as “PERM” or “labor certification”) enables an employer to sponsor a foreign national for permanent residence in the United States. The process requires the employer to demonstrate that there are no “US workers” available for the job being offered to the foreign national. STEP ONE – Foundation of…
Rules of Taxpayer Representation
PART I – AUDITS If you represent taxpayers before the IRS during audits, appeals, abatements or collections, there are certain “Rules” that should be followed. In order to represent your clients effectively it is critical that you are an expert in tax procedure. One procedural mistake could be detrimental to your client’s case. This article…
Please Come to the Principal’s Office
Earlier this year, I was invited to participate in the Principal for a Day program run by the Worcester Educational Collaborative, an independent non-profit advocacy group that facilitates private partnerships with Worcester Public Schools to “enhance the quality of public education in Worcester and the quality of our common life.” I found the experience to…
Federal District Court Decision in Massachusetts Rules Distributions from a Special Needs Trust May Cause Ineligibility for Section 8 Housing Subsidy
In DeCambre vs. Brookline Housing Authority (D.Mass.No 14-13425-WGY, March 25, 2015); a federal district court ruled that a local housing authority properly counted payments and distributions from a first party special needs trust as income. Because the income from distributions from the trust, when added to Kimberly DeCambre’s SSI income, pushed her over the maximum…
Recent Ruling Underscores the Importanceof Damages Provisions in a Commercial Lease
A recent ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) highlights the importance of negotiating appropriate damages provisions in commercial leases. Landlords should ensure that their leases contain a comprehensive liquidated damages provision allowing them to accelerate rent for the balance of the lease term in the event of a tenant default. Without one, the…
Crummey Powers
For 2013, an individual is currently able to gift up to $5,250,000 in his lifetime without the imposition of federal gift taxes. If no such gifts are made during lifetime, $5,250,000 may be left to beneficiaries upon death, free of federal estate taxes. (For 2013 Illinois imposes estate tax at $4 million). In addition, an…