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Unique Estate Planning Opportunities in 2020
September 11, 2020 By: Ami S. Longstreet
The federal gift and estate tax exemptions (the amount an individual can give away during lifetime and at death before which there is a federal estate or gift tax) have varied wildly over the last few years. Below is a chart demonstrating the drastic changes in the federal gift and estate tax over the years.…
Read moreCivil Jury Trials to Re-Commence on September 8th as Part of Phase IV.I Court Reopening Plan
August 28, 2020 By: Christopher A. Powers, Megan K. Thomas
On August 10, 2020, New York’s Fifth Judicial District, which includes Onondaga, Oneida, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and Herkimer Counties, entered Phase IV.I of its reopening following the emergency closure caused in March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of Phase IV.I, civil jury trials are scheduled to restart on a limited basis beginning September…
Read moreCan I trademark “[insert food here].com”? The Supreme Court says “Maybe!”
July 23, 2020 By: Brandan Ray
Recently, the Supreme Court concluded another historic term, handing down landmark decisions in employment discrimination and executive immunity, among others. However, this also means cases like United States Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com, B.V. (“Booking.com”), a case decided at the end of June with broad application in the area of trademark law, do not…
Read morePhase Four of COVID19 Requirements for New York Business Re-Openings and Statewide Guidelines for Certain Industries
June 24, 2020 By: Mary Anne Cody
Central New York will enter Phase 4 of the COVID19 New York State business re-opening on Friday June 26, 2020. New York State will be allowing the re-opening of businesses by region in four phases as follows: Phase 1: Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, Retail (limited to curbside or in-store pickup/drop off), Manufacturing and…
Read moreNew York State Phase 3 Requirements for Business Re-Openings
June 12, 2020 By: Mary Anne Cody
New York State has released the requirements for those businesses in Phase 3 of re-opening. Central New York is now authorized to begin Phase 3. New York State is allowing the re-opening of businesses by region in four phases as follows, with the businesses in the Phases being expanded from the original list to now…
Read moreNew York State Release Phase 2 Requirements for New York Business Re-Openings
June 1, 2020 By: Mary Anne Cody
New York State has released the requirements for those businesses in Phase 2 re-opening. Central New York is now authorized to begin the Phase 2 re-opening. New York State is allowing the re-opening of businesses by region in four phases as follows, with the businesses in the Phases being expanded from the original list to…
Read moreNew COVID19 Requirements for New York Business Re-Openings (and for those Essential Businesses which continued to Operate)
May 15, 2020 By: Mary Anne Cody
New COVID19 Requirements for New York Business Re-Openings (and for those Essential Businesses which continued to Operate) Central New York will begin to open for business again with the issuance of Executive Order 202.31 which allows Phase 1 businesses to open if the business can follow the New York State Department of health mandates. New…
Read moreEMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO A PAYCHECK PROTECTION LOAN
April 20, 2020 By: Clayton H. Hale, Jr
The popular Paycheck Protection Loan is not the only tax-free cash infusion provided to businesses by the CARES Act. Section 2103 of the Act provides an additional means for employers to obtain tax free cash to assist in retaining employees during the period of business contraction caused by the Corona virus government mandates. Section 2103…
Read moreFifth Judicial District To Expand Virtual Court Proceedings, but Still Limited
April 13, 2020 By: Christopher A. Powers
The COVID-19 pandemic has put much of daily life on hold, but there are positive signs that a return to normalcy, or at least the new normalcy, may not be far off. Since approximately March 30, 2020, Central New York’s Fifth Judicial District (encompassing Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego Counties) has been operating…
Read moreGovernor Cuomo’s April 7th COVID-19 Executive Order Makes Remote Will Executions a (Virtual) Reality
April 10, 2020 By: Ryan T. Emery
“Update: Although offices can now be open and restrictions regarding in-person gatherings are starting to ease, the Governor has issued another executive order that extends the ability to do remote witnessing until August 5, 2020.” COVID-19 has brought estate planning to the forefront of the minds of many individuals, particularly at-risk populations such as senior…
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