OWM Legal Newsletter

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.

OWM Blog – Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock

Pennsylvania amended its Ignition Interlock law effective August 25, 2017. Part of that amendment made the Ignition Interlock (a device that is hooked up to your car that you have to breath into to demonstrate that there is no alcohol in your system in order for your car to operate) available for first-time DUI offenders with high blood alcohol levels. Further, it established a new Ignition Interlock Limited License. This new license permits individuals to operate a motor vehicle equipped with an Ignition Interlock device if certain requirements are met. The new license would have a designation on it that says, “Ignition Interlock”. …

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What is a Preliminary Hearing?

Preliminary Hearing

In Pennsylvania, if you are charged with a criminal offense, you are entitled to have a preliminary hearing within 10 days of the charges being filed.

At the preliminary hearing, the Magisterial District Judge has to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the charges to be held over to the Court of Common Pleas (trial level). The burden of proof at a preliminary hearing is on the Commonwealth (District Attorney’s Office). The prosecutor must prove the elements of the offenses to a prima facia level. Prima facia is just a legal term meaning “on the face”. The Magisterial District Judge looks at the Affidavit of Probable Cause and any additional evidence that the prosecutor presents to make a determination whether it’s more likely or not that the charges alleged occurred and, is it more likely or not that the defendant was the one who committed them. The Magisterial District Judge does not determine if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. Nor does the Magisterial District Judge determine a sentence. There are exceptions to this, such as when the defendant is only facing summary offenses, but that is a discussion for another day.

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Staff Spotlight: Donna E. Day – August 2018

Staff Spotlight: Donna E. Day - August 2018 This month is the last in our Staff Spotlight Series, and we are focusing on the firm’s Legal Administrator. A Legal Administrator is the Office/Business Manager for a law firm. They wear many hats and are responsible for multiple areas of operation, including Finance and Accounting, Human Resources and Employee Benefits, Information Technology (IT), Facilities, Marketing and Business Development and General Office Services. We would like to introduce our OWM Legal Administrator, Donna E. Day. …

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Custody Contempt

Understanding Custody Contempt

Custody cases can be contentious. Parents are pitted against each other trying to prove they are the “better” parent. Many times, parents can reach agreements on their own as to how they want to share custody, and if they can’t reach an agreement, they must go to trial and a judge will enter an order determining the custody schedule. But, having an agreement or order does not necessarily mean your custody case is over. Parties still must follow the terms of these agreements and orders, because if they don’t, the other party can file for contempt. That makes sense. If one party doesn’t obey an order, he or she should be found in contempt. Easy, right?

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What is an LLC?

A limited liability company (LLC) is a legal entity formed to operate a business. It provides many of the advantages of a traditional corporation, but it is easier to form and maintain.

There are fewer formal meetings and documentation than with a standard corporation. All LLC owners are typically protected from personal liability for business debts and claims. Normally, LLC owners stand to lose only the money that they’ve invested in the LLC.

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OWM Blog – Spring-Ford Counseling Services

OWM Law has been serving the Tri-County Area, in the provision of all aspects of legal services, since 1955. We have been located at the same office in Pottstown for 63 years (41 High Street). We opened our Phoenixville office in 2006 (347 Bridge Street). Please contact OWM Law offices for all of your personal and business legal needs.

In addition to serving the Tri-County Area’s personal and business legal needs, the attorneys at OWM Law serve the non-profit community in the Tri-County Area in many capacities including, but not limited to, as Solicitors for charitable organizations, members of Boards of Directors, etc. I am proud to affiliate myself, as a member of the Board of Directors, with Spring-Ford Counseling Services. Spring-Ford Counseling Services is located at 201 North 4th Avenue, Suite 101, Royersford, PA 19468. Spring-Ford Counseling is a non-profit agency, established in 1994, that serves the Tri-County Area’s mental health needs. …

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Staff Spotlight: OWM Law Estate Department – July 2018

Staff Spotlight: OWM Estate Department - July 2018 This month we are focusing on the OWM Law Estate Department. We would like to introduce, Suzanne Himes, Brenda M. Heilner, Suzanne E. Angelaccio, and Ashley E. Kincaid. In their roles, they regularly communicate with clients, banks, and other external contacts, as well as with attorneys and other OWM employees. Currently, ten (10) of OWM’s thirteen (13) attorneys handle estate administration matters. …

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Medicare Cards: What is New and Why

new medicare card

Medicare beneficiaries, did you get your new Medicare card yet? I did. I have been waiting for the new card since it was announced last year that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) would finally comply with the mandate to remove the beneficiary’s Social Security number from the Medicare card. My new ID number is reminiscent of the temporary password issued when you cannot remember your current password, a string of numbers and letters that make no sense. That is the point, however, since identity theft was so easy when so many entities had copies of my Medicare card. …

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Tort Automobile Insurance – Right to Sue (Part 3)

Tort Automobile Insurance

This is our final blog post in a series of articles pertaining to basic principles of automobile insurance. Part 1 covered bodily injury insurance for your motor vehicle, and part 2 went over motor vehicle medical expense insurance coverage.

When you purchase automobile insurance from your insurance agent, you must choose one of two tort automobile insurance options: “full tort” or “limited tort.”

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