Why would my assets have to go through probate if I have a Will?
By Amy P. Slaman Probate is necessary when assets are titled in the deceased person’s name and the asset is one that does not automatically transfer on death through a beneficiary or pay-on-death designation. Many people think having a Last Will & Testament (or a “Will”) means probate court will [...]
COPYRIGHT LAW UPDATE: New CASE Act Bills Introduced in Congress To Create Copyright Small Claims Tribunal
On May 1, 2019, two U.S. copyright bills referred to as the “Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019” or “CASE Act of 2019” were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 2426) and the Senate (S. 1273). The CASE Act bills propose to create a voluntary small [...]
TIMING OF APPEAL FOR CORRECTED, AMENDED, OR MODIFIED ORDERS
By Terrie Didier, Esq. In general, parties have 30 days from the date an adverse decision is rendered (date of filing, not signing or recording) to appeal from final orders. But the time in which to seek appellate review of a corrected, amended, or modified order is not always simple. [...]
BRANDING CONSIDERATIONS: The Importance of a Trademark Search
Imagine being ordered by a court to immediately stop using your name. How difficult would it be to: (1) choose a new name; (2) notify everyone of your new name without referencing your prior name; and (3) destroy all materials containing your prior name? Now imagine being ordered by a [...]
Jessica Andrade Named PYP Leader Of The Year
Beggs & Lane is pleased to announce that Jessica Andrade has been named Pensacola Young Professionals Leader of the Year for her role as Treasurer of Pensacola Young Professionals for the past two years. Jessica is actively involved in the community, and through her many volunteer hours, has supported numerous [...]
U.S. Supreme Court: Copyright Owners Must Register Works Before Filing Copyright Infringement Lawsuits
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that copyright owners must register their works prior to filing suit against infringers. In Fourth Estate Public Benefit Corporation v. Wall-Street.com, LLC, 586 U.S. ____ (2019), the Court held that registration is a statutory prerequisite to a copyright infringement lawsuit. Faced with a [...]
ANSWERS TO HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
by Terrie Didier, Esq. 2/26/2019 QUESTION: What are my rights if an insurer refuses to provide me residential property insurance due to adverse underwriting information? ANSWER: By statute, the insurer must provide the applicant specific information regarding the reasons for the refusal to insure. If the reason for the refusal [...]
Case: Tax Court Properly Upheld Levies Against Unresponsive Taxpayer
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that the Tax Court’s ruling upholding an IRS Appeals Board decision to deny a face-to-face hearing before enforcing levies against a taxpayer was not an abuse of the Tax Court’s discretion. In Muir v. Commissioner, No. 18-60336 (5th Cir. Feb 15, 2019), [...]
Importance Of Proper Will Execution Emphasized By Florida Appellate Court
In its opinion in Bitetzakis v. Bitetzakis, Case No. 2D17-4822 (Fla. 2d DCA Feb 1. 2019), Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal recently held that an individual signing a will must strictly comply with the signature requirements of section 732.502, Florida Statutes, for the will to be recognized as valid [...]