LJN Newsletters

A look at a recent interesting case.

New York State remains one of the few in which there is no legislation allowing for the use of electronic signatures for the purpose of creating a contract for the sale of real property. New York case law is divided on this issue, and thus fails to provide a clear answer as to whether an e-mail signature or other electronic signature may be used for documents related to real property.

Everything in this issue, listed in an easy-to-read format.

Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.

Cases of interest in neighboring states.

Are concepts of confidentiality and disclosure mutually exclusive? With the concepts we have discussed in the last two installments in mind, some have argued that there is really no issue of confidentiality left to protect in a matrimonial case.

Seven new Family Court judges in New York City would be among 21 judgeships created in Family Courts statewide under legislation approved by the state Senate. The additional judgeships for New York City would be the first in the city's Family Court since 1991 and the most significant increase statewide on the Family Court bench in at least three decades.

Some states have legalized same-sex marriage while others recognize or grant certain rights to same-sex couples. The issue is critical and hotly debated because marriage confers certain benefits under state and federal law that are generally denied to same-sex couples. Many of these protections and benefits pertain to estate planning.