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Law Guide
The Law Guide contains articles written by attorneys that are easy to understand and answer frequently asked questions covering 100+ legal topics. Select a legal category below or use the search button to find a Law Guide article of interest to you.
New York City squatters have been making headlines by evicting legal homeowners from their property, with extreme examples including the arrest of a homeowner trying to regain possession of their house in Flushing, Queens. With the influx of migrants seeking shelter and the arrest of a popular...
There are many snow and ice removal laws and regulations with which each New York City property owner or lessor must be familiar. This article summarizes some of the most common snow shoveling and ice removal laws, regulations and resources so you can be prepared for the winter season.
Who...
Unwarranted sanitation tickets and summonses may be successfully challenged in an administrative hearing before a judge or tribunal. This article will cover the processes and best practices for fighting sanitation tickets in an administrative court, such as the Office of Administrative Trials...
Courtroom interpreters play a crucial role in ensuring that the US justice system is able to serve the needs of individuals with low English proficiency. Census data in the past decade has shown that the number of LEP individuals in the United States has reached 25 million, making court...
While many New York City residents may believe they have 24 hours to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks and walkways, they most likely have only 4 hours to remove snow and ice. You can find an explanation and complete details of the New York City Department of Sanitation snow removal...
Many taxpayers are unaware of the potentially serious criminal charges that may await them if they fail to file a tax return or pay taxes. Known as the Failure to File Returns or Pay Tax Statute, IRC § 7203 sets forth four possible offenses:
willful failure to pay an estimated tax or other tax...
On June 18, 2014, the IRS announced new changes to the Streamlined Procedures that will allow more taxpayers to qualify as well as ease the process for qualifying applicants. One of the most significant changes brought about by the revised Streamlined Procedures announced in June 2014 is the...
Shoplifting and retail theft may consist of small amounts of money. However, it is a serious crime treated as larceny by the law and taken seriously by retail stores. If you have been caught shoplifting, you may have been told that you will receive a civil demand letter or you might be surprised...
Fraud involves dishonest and deceptive conduct by a person or a party for the purpose of obtaining an unfair and unlawful gain. The act can constitute both a crime and a civil wrong. Detecting fraud can be difficult and sometimes it is never discovered. While knowing the law and your remedies is...
The term “statutory rape” refers to sexual relations with a minor who is under the legal “age of consent.” An act of force is not necessary, only that the act meets all the elements defined by statute. Under the law, young persons below a certain age are not able to give their consent. As a...
New York State taxpayers can expect to find some new items on their 2013 state tax return, several of which will apply for future years. The following are noteworthy highlights from the New York State Department of Taxation Form IT-201, Full-Year Resident Income Tax Return, and Form IT-203...
When the costs of medical services are not covered under your health insurance plan, they still may be deductible on your federal income tax return. However, the Affordable Care Act has impacted the amount of medical expense deductions that may be available.
Tax Deductible Medical and Dental...
It’s unusual that the IRS generates a tax refund check by mistake but it does happen. And when it does, you might want to consider the consequences of cashing in on your lucky day. Do you need to pay it back to the IRS? (The answer should be simple.) When might you need to return the money to...
Most people assume that DUI / DWI charges involve an impaired person driving a motor vehicle such as a car, motorcycle, truck or SUV. But what is the law with regard to non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles? Is there an offense such as biking while intoxicated?
Understanding DUI / DWI Laws...
Your child can bring some additional joy to your life during tax season. The federal government recognizes the significant costs involved with raising children. As a result, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) provides special tax benefits for parents. The following list of tax credits...
What happens if April 15th arrives and you realize that you won’t be able to file your income taxes on time? How about making a late tax payment? And what if you can file but cannot afford to pay what you owe to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) at the deadline? There is no need to panic...
Making a donation to a charity, whether it is old clothes or money, may come with an additional benefit - a deduction on your federal income tax return. However, not every charitable contribution may be deductible, which is why it’s important to understand the rules and conduct proper tax...
If you’re facing DUI or DWI charges, you’ll certainly want to make sure that you’re being represented by a reliable and experienced attorney. You'll also want to make sure that there are no surprises when you get the bill. In order to make a good decision, you’ll need to conduct a useful...
The overwhelming majority of traffic tickets and auto accident lawsuits concern operator negligence. This means that the driver is charged with failing to use the reasonable care that an ordinary person would use in the operation of a motor vehicle. The following is a list of the most frequent...
Having a criminal record can affect your ability to be hired for certain jobs or obtain a promotion for a job you already hold. You may not qualify for a loan or clear a background check when you apply to rent or lease an apartments. Many people also want to have their criminal record expunged...
With these seven tips, anyone can learn how to effectively reduce their tax liability and maximize their deductions. But it is important to remember that you can't have good tax planning without the planning. Once you become familiar with the basics and how to spot opportunities, the process...
Once you have determined that you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen, you are ready to move forward with the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400. The processing time taken by each U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office can vary and may take several months...
Naturalization is the process of a foreign citizen being granted United States citizenship. Before you can apply for citizenship with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you must first meet all the requirements. This article will help you determine whether you are...
“Green Card” is the informal name frequently used for a U.S. Permanent Resident Card. It allows a person who is not a United States citizen to reside in the country indefinitely. The card may also serve as a path to U.S. citizenship. A green card may be obtained under certain circumstances...
Life as a New York City tenant can be quite stressful. Your landlord should make every effort to ensure that your basic tenants’ rights are protected - your rights to a safe, comfortable and lawful environment. This includes working heat, hot water, timely repairs and privacy. Every tenant...