No one really has a clear definition of what art is. That is because it changes all the time. You may have noticed that sculpture downtown in the middle of the rotunda at your local city hall. At least you “think” it’s a sculpture, but then again, it might also be a bike rack. That’s the prevailing problem with art – what is it? This is actually a question that has been argued in many […]

Most health insurance plans don’t cover autism. That may be about to change based on a bill being considered in Missouri. Autism is far more common than we realize, but what many people don’t realize is that most health insurance plans do not provide coverage for this neurological condition. Generally speaking, since each autistic individual is different, autism causes them to have mild to severe problems communicating with others and also struggle with social interactions. […]

Being in business means dealing with everything that comes up. That includes copyright issues. “Copyright is almost a four letter word for many in the world of business these days. While it’s something they know they need to deal with, they would rather not. This is largely due to the fact that this particular area of the law is complex, complicated and ultimately, a royal pain to deal with without the help of an attorney […]

The US Supreme Court has said the NFL can’t avoid antitrust laws when dealing with team jerseys. “The last place one would expect to find the US Supreme Court is on the football field, but there they are, dealing with the sale of NFL team jerseys and hats. It was actually an interesting case and may well set precedent for the future,” remarked David Alden Erikson, a Los Angeles business litigation attorney. The core nugget […]

The question of privacy online is heating up when it comes to open source work – on developing drugs. The online world is indeed getting more and more sophisticated, particularly when it comes to using open-source collaborative efforts to develop programs. The most well-known example of that would be Open Office, much the same as MS Word, but users seem to feel it’s easier to use. In addition to that observation, it is also constantly […]

There is one exception to the general rule of copyright vesting in an author’s work. It’s called “work for hire.” In a nutshell the concept of work for hire is meant to let a company train, share ideas and educate the people they employ without the underlying fear that they are creating their own future competition. Generally speaking, this is an exception to the general rule of copyright where it vests in the author of […]

Bernard A. Krooks, managing partner of law firm Littman Krooks LLP, has been elected president of the Estate Planning Council of Westchester County. The council was established in 1967 to improve understanding of the concepts and nuances of estate planning in order to better serve clients. Members include attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, chartered life underwriters, and certified financial planners. “This is a great honor,” notes Krooks, “and an opportunity to contribute to changes taking place […]

With the number of divorces continuing to rise in the United States, there has been an increase in second marriages. Second marriages and the blended families that often result from them can pose a number of estate planning issues. This is because spouses must provide for their partners, their partner’s children, and children from the previous marriage. If you are marrying later in life and already have substantial assets, this can make the situation even […]

Same sex couples often encounter unique estate planning issues, as their unions are not recognized in most states, and are, therefore, not legally protected. There are, however, estate planning options open to same sex couples that can provide them with the security they need. Living trusts are one of the best options for same sex couples because they provide the following benefits: • Living trusts will give one partner the authority to handle the other’s […]

Creating an estate plan for one’s family can be a difficult and complex process. However, receiving an inheritance can be almost as difficult as creating an estate plan, as there may be many challenges and questions that arise. When you receive an inheritance, you will have to consider the effect this will have on your taxes. Your inheritance may incur liability for property taxes or increase your own estate so that it will be subject […]