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Please Click HerePosted on November 11, 2019 by Linda M. Danielson
While most businesses use real estate, unique planning issues arise for family-farm owners because of the importance of real estate to the farm and family. There are several reasons for that. Family farms are not as mobile as other businesses. Family-farm owners usually have strong emotional attachments to the land. They treat the land they […]
Posted on November 6, 2019 by Mary Ellen Schill
On November 6, 2019 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. All of the limits shown below have increased from last year. Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2019-$19,000 2020-$19,500 $200,000 compensation limit 2019-$280,000 2020-$285,000 $160,000 defined benefit limit 2019-$225,000 2020-$230,000 […]
Posted on October 22, 2019 by Sara J. Ackermann
My practice is dedicated to helping business owners and HR professionals work through some pretty sticky employment issues. Although there is not much I have not seen, employee behavior never ceases to amaze me. With the evolution of marijuana and CBD legalization, it is going to get even more interesting. For the latest information on […]
Posted on October 9, 2019 by Shanna N. Fink
It seems like our world becomes more digital each day. We can manage almost every aspect of our lives online. But, unless you have updated your estate plan in the last few years, chances are good that your estate planning documents do not address what will happen to your electronic documents, e-mails, text messages, blogs, […]
Posted on October 4, 2019 by Ruder Ware Alumni
A controversial federal environmental regulation has been repealed, according to an announcement Sept. 12 by the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the assistant secretary of the Army who oversees the Army Corps of Engineers. That means the definition of “Waters of the United States” will return to its pre-2015 definition. That’s important […]
Posted on October 3, 2019 by Steven P. Lipowski
Gone are the days when handshake deals suffice as a contract for a land purchase. I’ll be presenting on Ag Lease Agreements as part of the Agricultural Land Values and Lease Seminar on October 9 at the Rib River Ballroom. I plan to walk attendees through an overview of what leases are (and are not), […]
Posted on September 24, 2019 by Sara J. Ackermann
The long wait is over. Today, the U.S. Department of Labor confirmed the final rule on the overtime “white collar” exemptions. Effective January 1, 2020, the minimum salary level for exempt workers will be $684 per week ($35,568 annualized). As you may remember, in 2015, the DOL attempted to increase the exemption to $913 per […]
Posted on September 23, 2019 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the deadline from September 20 to September 27 for dairy farmers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2019. Enacted in the 2018 Farm Bill, this safety-net program offers risk-protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost […]
Posted on September 23, 2019 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Our representation of behavioral health and substance abuse programs has required us to stay in tune to issues involving special confidentiality of patient records under 42 CFR Part 2, also known as the SAMHSA regulations. The SAMHSA regulations were completely recast in two sets of regulatory revisions that were issued in 2017 and 2018. One […]
Posted on August 28, 2019 by Jessica A. Merkel
Leaving an inheritance to a loved one with special needs who is or will be receiving government benefits (SSI, medical assistance, long term care services) is tricky and can have unintended negative consequences if not done carefully. Well-meaning gifts may result in the loved one (who I will refer to as the “Special Needs Beneficiary”) […]