Term Life Insurance in Divorce Cases: A New Deal
November 30, 2003
As circumstances change, matrimonial practitioners must review the law in certain areas to see if those laws need to be amended to keep pace with changing times. For example, the onset of AIDS has created almost a new class of terminally ill people. These people who are involved in divorce cases may find themselves in a legal conundrum when it comes to term life insurance benefits. Traditionally, under prior law in some states, only cash surrender value was deemed property. <i>See, e.g., In re Marriage of Mullins</i>, 121 Ill.App.3d 86, 458 N.E.2d 1360 (Ill. 4th Dist. 1984). Historically, term policies, therefore, had no value in divorce proceedings. Those cases, however, may be distinguishable where the insured was not terminally ill, and the proceeds therefore become much less speculative.
Bush Signs Anti-Spam Bill
November 25, 2003
On Dec. 16, President George W. Bush signed the "can spam" legislation passed earlier in the month by Congress. The legislation provides for jail time and hefty fines for serious violators and calls for the creation of a "do not spam" registry.
FDA Web Site Provides Treasure Trove of Information
November 21, 2003
If you are seeking information about adequate warning labels, go to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Web site (<i>www.fda.gov</i>) and type in "adequate warning labels." Information will appear in milliseconds, covering everything from correspondence with manufacturers to FDA Public Health Advisories and sections from the Federal Register.
Massachusetts Issues Landmark Ruling
November 18, 2003
November 18, 2003: In a decision sure to affect other states, the Massachusetts Judicial Supreme Court has ruled that banning gay and lesbian marriages is unconstitutional.
New Protected Activity ' Displaying the Flag
November 12, 2003
The realm of protected activity has been expanded by the New York Legislature to include the display of the American flag by an employee on that employee's person or in his/her workstation.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- How AI Has Affected PRWhen we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.Read More ›
- <b><i>Online Extra: </b></i> 7-Eleven Hit With Discovery Sanctions in NJ Franchise Case </b></i>A federal magistrate judge in Camden has sanctioned 7-Eleven Inc. for what he said were repeatedly deficient discovery responses in a case alleging the company unlawfully targeted South Jersey franchisees and owners for termination.Read More ›
- Tips for How Women Lawyers Can Chart a Different Course, Part 3Along the way to charting your own course, below are critical habits to be implemented as you stay focused on growing a fulfilling and prosperous career.Read More ›
- Client Speak: Is the Burden of AFA Here to Stay?The recent dramatic downturn has created something relatively unknown to law firms: the "insistent buyers' market" (or "ibm"), wherein all the pent-up frustrations of the past have suddenly found a voice and now have to be confronted and no longer ignored.Read More ›