Philadelphia Criminal Defense Law Blog

Becoming a landlord sounds like an attractive prospect on paper. To hear real estate investors talk about this career, it seems like a dream. All you need to do is secure financing to purchase a property and then sit back and collect a rent check, right? Many people who venture into the rental real estate world find themselves facing a rude awakening about the reality of landlord responsibilities.

Owning a property and renting it to tenants can be a great source of income, but it is also a source of responsibility. You need to maintain the structure, as well as the critical appliances and fixtures, like the furnace. When tenants move out, you will need to clean and make repairs, which can become quite costly. Most landlords offset the expenses related to tenant damage by charging a security deposit. However, if you don't understand state law about security deposits, you could end up in a difficult position.

If you've already made your will, you may think it is good enough to let it be until the time comes to use it. Unfortunately, this is simply untrue. While it is good to have a will, especially considering how many people do not have one, an outdated will can create numerous complications for your family and loved ones once you pass away.

Many life changes may affect the terms of a will, making it necessary to review its terms regularly and possibly amend them. Also, the laws that govern estate planning and taxation are constantly changing, so even those who have not experienced significant life changes may still need to look their will over and make sure it complies with current laws.

Far too many put off the creation of a last will or estate plan until they are at or even past retirement age. That can leave their families in a difficult position and end up wasting a substantial portion of their assets on probate court in the event of an accident or sudden medical event. In situations that involve minor children, not having a last will or naming a guardian could leave them vulnerable. Do you have someone you would trust with medical and financial decisions on your behalf? Do you have enough assets to make creating a trust a worthwhile procedure?

No one wants to imagine dying while still relatively young and healthy, but it does happen, often without warning. Failing to take steps to guide the process of handling your assets ahead of time can leave your loved ones to deal with a frustrating and potentially confusing estate.

For many people, New Year’s Eve means being with friends and imbibing in festive alcoholic beverages. This means that over the holiday more people drive while under the influence (DUI). As a responsible driver, you may be at risk for accidents and injuries over this year’s holiday weekend.

January 1st is the second most common day of the year for fatal drunk driving accidents. Because of this spike in accidents, Pennsylvania law enforcement sets up more DUI checkpoints over the holidays to take drunk drivers off the road. This post will cover how you can protect yourself from accidents and the steps you should take if you are charged with a DUI.