If you’ve ever been involved in buying or selling real estate, you might’ve heard about “covenants” and “easements,” and maybe even had to go through some bureaucratic pains to deal with them. They’re certainly an important part of any discussion about the sale of property, since they can seriously impact how you use and enjoy that property. But what is a covenant or an easement, and how could it impact the sale of your property? Continue reading “Covenants and Easements”
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The Benefits of Forming a Corporation
If you’re just starting out your business, or even if you’ve been in business for a while, you may have thought about forming a corporation. However, you may not know what’s involved in incorporating a business, or what the benefits and risks are of incorporating. Fortunately, incorporation isn’t as scary or difficult as it’s sometimes made out to be, and your business may be able to benefit immensely by incorporating. Continue reading “The Benefits of Forming a Corporation”
When to Consider a Power of Attorney
If you have family members that are growing older or have a loved one with diminished ability to care for themselves, you may need to consider a power of attorney. But what is a power of attorney? And when is it appropriate to consider for yourself or your loved ones? Continue reading “When to Consider a Power of Attorney”
Considering Advance Directives
If you or a loved one are advancing in age, or if your health is deteriorating, it may be wise to investigate the possibility of advance directives. Broadly speaking, advance directives are legal documents that convey your desires, if you are incapable of making those desires known yourself. The term “advance directives” generally covers four kinds of documents: living wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, and Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNRs). Continue reading “Considering Advance Directives”
The Warranty of Habitability
When you sign a lease to rent an apartment, there are a few basic expectations you probably have about your new residence. One is that you will actually be able to live in the space you’ve rented. While this might seem like a reasonable request, there are many landlords who do not hold up that end of the bargain. Fortunately, the law protects your right to livable conditions, with what is known as the warranty of habitability. Continue reading “The Warranty of Habitability”
Landlord Groups File Lawsuit to Block New Rent Laws
Several groups that represent landlords in New York have sued to block new rent-control measures that were recently signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The new laws limit landlords’ ability to raise rent on rent-controlled apartments, even after their current tenants leave. This limits landlords’ ability to make money on those apartments, which they argue is an unconstitutional deprivation of their property rights. Continue reading “Landlord Groups File Lawsuit to Block New Rent Laws”
What is a Guardianship?
Chances are that, at some point in your life, you’ve heard of a “guardian” before, especially in the context of children, or older relatives, or people with certain disabilities. However, you might not know what a guardian is, or why someone might have one. Fortunately, the idea is easy to understand, and it’s good to know about just in case you, or someone you know, has a guardian appointed for them. Continue reading “What is a Guardianship?”
New York State Passes New Rent Laws
After much opposition, the New York State Legislature recently passed new rent laws that offer more protections to tenants located in New York City. The underlying goal of the new laws is to maintain affordability and stability in a city which nearly 65 percent of residents are renters. Continue reading “New York State Passes New Rent Laws”
As Population Ages, Demand for Elder Law Attorneys Grows
The U.S. Census Bureau is predicting that, by 2035, there will be more people over the age of 65 than children under the age of 18 in the United States. This would be the first time in United States history that the elderly has outnumbered children resulting from multiple ongoing trends, such as longer life spans among the elderly and declining birth rates among millennials. This means that the need for elder law attorneys, and other people who specifically deal with issues related to the elderly, will become more important than ever.
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Landlord and Tenant Information Regarding Air Conditioners
Although it may feel like the New York weather skipped the spring season, summer is right around the corner. And with that being said, people are flocking to the stores to purchase an air conditioner. When living in a rental apartment, one might be curious as to the landlord/tenant protections of putting in an air conditioner. Although New York has limited protections surrounding the use of air conditioners, there are some important things to know.
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