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MAKING ACESSORY DWELLING UNIT’S WORK FOR YOU Granny pods. Elder cottages. ECHO housing. No matter what you call them, there is no question: accessory dwelling units (“ADUs” for short) are a booming trend for affordable senior living (as well as a reliable source of passive income) in the Hudson Valley. These spaces traditionally function as…
FORCE MAJEURE AFTER COVID When the Covid crisis arrived, many people who had signed contracts found it difficult or impossible to perform their obligations. Many sought relief from the force majeure clause in their contracts. In most cases, that proved to be disappointing. With the benefit of hindsight, parties now have the opportunity to revise…
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN EXPECTING A DIVORCE Separations take many forms. You may know that your marriage is in trouble, but are blindsided when served with divorce papers. Even if you are anticipating a divorce, not knowing what happens next can worsen what is already an emotional situation. Here are some brief answers to common…
DON’T BE A BACK SEAT BULLET In 1984 New York, under Governor Mario Cuomo, became the first state to pass a law making it mandatory to use a seat belt if seated in the front of a car. Now, in 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation effective November 1, 2020, requiring all passengers over…
NEW YORK REQUIRING QUARANTINE FOR SOME VISITORS FROM OUT OF STATE New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on September 8th, that individuals traveling to New York from certain designated locations seeing spikes in COVID-19 cases will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entering New York State. This includes New York residents who…
SERVICES TO HELP YOU BUY OR SELL YOUR HOME From negotiation and contract signing, to closing, the real estate attorneys at Jacobowitz and Gubits, LLP will guide you through the process of buying or selling a home. Click here to view the November 2020 edition of the Home Buyers Guidebook. Our goal is to guide…
CONVERSATIONS AND DOCUMENTS EVERY SENIOR SHOULD HAVE Are you a senior? Have you had “that conversation?” Yes, “that conversation,” the one that you should have with someone who is, or perhaps several people who are, near and dear to you and younger than you. Yes, “that conversation,” about personal and intimate details of your life….
TWO PARTNERS NAMED OFFICERS OF WBAOSC Press Release For more information, contact: Michele Babcock Jacobowitz and Gubits LLP, Managing Partner, 845-778-2121 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kelly A. Pressler, Esq. of Jacobowitz and Gubits elected President and Michele L. Babcock, Esq. elected Vice President of the Women’s Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties WALDEN, NY –…
DIVORCE BEFORE OR DURING RETIREMENT The rate of divorce among those over the age of 55 is increasing dramatically, having doubled since 1990. While the number of those getting re-married later in life is increasing, those in second marriages are also 2½ times more likely to get divorced. While all divorces bring their own challenges,…
NEW REPORT DETAILS STRUGGLES OF HUDSON VALLEY NONPROFITS NYCON, the New York Council of Nonprofits, just released a report “Hudson Valley Nonprofits Amidst COVID-19.” The report was funded by a new group called the Hudson Valley Funders Collaborative comprised of several regional philanthropic foundations. The report paints a fairly grim picture of the state of…
485-b COMMERCIAL REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION Section 485-b of the New York Real Property Tax Law provides the basis for a 50% reduction of the increase in assessed value due to certain qualifying new construction, alterations, installations or improvements for the purpose of commercial, business or industrial activity, thus reducing real property taxes and some…
CANCELLATION OF DEBT INCOME You owe money. Then the debt gets cancelled. There is a risk that the cancelled debt will be treated as income to be included in your gross income that forms the basis for your income tax liability. Debt cancellation is becoming more common as this economic crisis grows. Unpaid purchases, credit…
NEW LAW PROTECTION FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES In recognition of the essential role of public employees during this pandemic, New York State has adopted new legislation requiring public employers to plan for similar emergencies in the future. The New York State Labor Law has been amended by adding a new section (27-c)…
A BUSINESS LAW CASE STUDY A client worked long and hard to build an agency into a successful business that provided for him and his family. He was approached by a much larger agency that wanted to buy him out. One of our transactional attorneys helped negotiate the terms of the transaction and drafted the…
CDC ISSUES ORDER HALTING CERTAIN EVICTIONS NATIONWIDE THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 Earlier this week the Centers for Disease Control (‘CDC’) announced that they would be issuing an order addressing the residential eviction crises across the country that has resulted from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. More details regarding that Order have been released today…
TAX SAVINGS FOR CHARITIES Nonprofit organizations are facing extraordinarily challenging times as the Covid crisis continues. Tax savings for charities is important as nonprofits that are classified as 501(c)(3) organizations under the Internal Revenue Code (often referred to as “charities”) have the benefit of exemption from various federal and state taxes. Now is the time…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kelly A. Pressler, Esq. of Jacobowitz and Gubits recognized by Super Lawyers WALDEN, NY – The law firm of Jacobowitz and Gubits, LLP (J&G) is pleased to announce that Kelly A. Pressler, Partner concentrating in general, commercial, and municipal litigation, was recognized by Super Lawyers as a 2020 Upstate New York…
ESTATE PLANNING IS NOT ABOUT DEATH The uncertain times that we’re in have resulted in a flurry of people concerned about making a last will and testament or estate planning documents. The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many people to address issues of mortality. But there’s much more to estate planning than preparing…
Jacobowitz and Gubits Offers Free Simple Will to Area First Responders And Military Personnel during Month of September WALDEN, NY – Jacobowitz and Gubits, LLP (J&G), the Hudson Valley’s premier full-service law firm, is extending a special offer to area active and retired first responders and military personnel during the month of September, 2020. In…
NYSDOH Finally Releases New Hemp Regulations
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASES NEW HEMP REGULATIONS As with almost all areas of American society, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed ‘pause’ on anticipated regulatory changes to the New York State hemp industry. December 2019 saw new hemp laws that split hemp permits into defined categories with more legislation regarding quality standards, labeling requirements,…