OWM's legal newsletters are free for all users. Browse the archives below, or sign up at right to receive OWM news in your inbox.

• News and reviews of recent legislation - and how it affects you and your business.

• Practical tips regarding taxes, estate planning, scams, identity theft protection, and many other timely subjects.

• Advance listings for our Legal Talk television broadcast, plus other upcoming events.

News Archives

December 2011
A's Health Club Registration Act and Your Health Club Membership Agreement - An overview of PA's Health Club Registration Act and the provisions your Health Club Membership Agreement should contain.

November 2011
Can I Work While Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits?- The effects of work activity on Social Security Disability.

October 2011
OWM Lawyers Huddle Up: Firm Reorganizes to Better Serve Clients - OWM decides to reorganize itself internally into eight client service teams that are made up by lawyers and staff.

September 2011
A Primer on Limited Liability Companies - The basics of forming/operating a Limited Liability Company in Pennsylvania.

August 2011
Cell Towers – Successfully Objecting to a Proposed Celltower May Have Become More Difficult - Discussion on the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

July 2011
Social Security Disability Update - Update on Social Security Disability Benefits, including processing of claims and tips for success in a disability claim.

June 2011
Automobile Insurance - Right to Sue; General Liability Insurance for Motor Vehicles - What are your options when purchasing automobile insurance? How much insurance coverage should you have on your motor vehicles?

May 2011
Multiple-Party Accounts Act As To Joint Accounts Passing to Surviving Owners - Are jointly registered accounts, specifically "convenience accounts," controlled by the Multiple-Party Accounts Act (MPAA)?

April 2011
HUD-1, HUD-2, HUD-3... Are Real Estate Settlement Sheets Easier or Harder to Understand - How did expanding the settlement sheet from two pages to five pages make it more understandable? Do I need an attorney to come with me to a real estate settlement to explain the settlement sheet?

March 2011
Tax Assessment Appeals - Stop Overpaying the Real Estate Taxes Actually Owed on Your Property - The default computer generated Assessed Value on your tax bill is almost half the Fair Market Value, leading many homeowners to believe they are being fairly taxed, when in fact they are paying extra taxes every year!

February 2011
PA's New Independent Contractor Law - Construction companies and contractors in Pennsylvania now have a new law to comply with in providing construction services within the Commonwealth; Ryan A. Costello, Esq., appointed Chester County Commissioner.

January 2011
Child Custody and the New PA Custody Law - Act 112 is intended to "reform" current law, including provisions that strengthen current practices and confirm judicial decisions, such as requiring judges to provide an explanation of their custody decisions, and the addition of "Parenting Plans."

December 2010
Federal Estate Tax - Careful estate planning may allow structuring of a person's estate in a manner to reduce the possibility of imposition of the federal estate tax, as well as allow for greater use of available deductions.

November 2010
Pennsylvania Expungement: Wiping the Slate Clean - An expungement simply means the removal of criminal convictions from a person's criminal record, including arrest records, indictments, formal charges, and criminal complaints. This article discusses the types of information that may be expunged, and who is eligible.

October 2010
Transferring the House to the Children - Families frequently ask about transferring the parents' house title to an adult child or children to "save the house from the nursing home." There are many reasons for not transferring the title of the parental home to the children.

September 2010
The Importance of Pre-Negotiated Agreements in Closely-Held Business Entities - Most parties in a closely-held business want to limit who may participate in that business with them. This article discusses the types of agreements that protect those interests.

August 2010
Parking or Storage of Business Vehicles on Residential Property - A homeowner should not assume that parking or storage of business vehicles at the owner's residential property is permitted under the local zoning ordinance - or risk sanctions and financial penalties.

July 2010
Extension of Home Buyer Tax Credit - This article provides examples of recent changes in real estate law, including reduction of interest rates and the extension of governmental approvals until 2013, and how these changes may be beneficial to individuals who own or are looking to purchase or develop real estate.

June 2010
Why So Many People Are Denied Social Security Benefits -  If denied Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits at the application level, the claimant in Pennsylvania may wait for over a year to have their case appealed. For that reason, people are encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney before making their initial application.

May 2010
Drunk Driving - What You Need To Know - If you are convicted of drunk driving or plead guilty to the charge in Pennsylvania you may receive up to two years in jail. To be guilty of DUI, you must have a minimum blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, and that is what this article is about.

April 2010
Supreme Court Reverses Superior Court and Rescues Jointly-Registered Financial Accounts - Is a joint account, such as a joint checking account, savings account or certificate of deposit, legally owned by the surviving co-owners upon the death of the co-owner who contributed all the funds to the joint account? YES. Do the provisions of a prior Will change this result? NO.

March 2010
Changes to the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors' Standard Form of Agreement of Sale - These changes expand the inspections provisions, make mediation mandatory, and affect how a seller's assist would be applied, among other changes; also Changes to the Real Estate Settlement Protection Act Good Faith Estimate and Settlement Sheet.

February 2010
Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act - This Act will affect contractors providing home improvement services, as well as the homeowners who sign contracts for home improvements, and provides additional protections to homeowners by placing certain duties and requirements upon contractors.