Pittsburgh Legal Blog

Calculating damages in personal injury

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in personal injury on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

Victims of car accidents may find that they may have many damages following an unexpected car accident. They may also be unsure what to do about them which is why it is useful to be familiar with personal injury legal damages and what they can do to help injured car accident victims.

The different types of damages available to victims in specific instances depends on their injuries and the unique circumstances of their car accident but there are generally three broad categories of personal injury damages that are available to help injured car accident victims. The first type of car accident damages includes damages for medical expenses which can include compensation for medical care costs and future medical care that the victim needs.

Dividing a family business during divorce

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Family Law on Friday, November 29, 2019.

Property division is always a top concern during the divorce process. When the divorcing couple owns a family business, dividing the business and their property can be complex but it is important for the divorcing spouses to be prepared for what to expect so they can protect their interests.

When a family business is part of the property division process there are certain considerations that will need to be addressed. They can include the valuation of the business; the continued ownership of the business; an evaluation of any business debts or business tax debts; the discovery of any hidden assets; and the future of the business. Divorcing couples may choose to handle property division of a family business differently based on their desired outcome.

How to create a valid will

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in estate planning on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

There are several important components of an overall effective estate plan but the foundation is usually a will. It is important for estate planners to ensure that their will is valid and that it complies with all relevant laws and to do that, estate planners should ensure they understand what a will includes and what makes a will valid.

Estate planning does not have to unpleasant or difficult and is an important resource for estate planners to provide for their loved ones and ensure peace of mind for everyone. There are a variety of different estate planning tools to help estate planners through the process of developing an estate plan that works for them and addresses their needs and concerns. At the most basic level, a will expresses the desires of the estate planner for how they want their estate to be handled and distributed and how they want their beneficiaries cared for.

Selecting the best business form is an important step

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Business Law on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Business formation is an important step for any new business owner to consider. It is one of the most important decisions a new business owner or entrepreneur setting up a business will make. As a result, they should understand how business law and the different business forms available can help them make the best decision for their company.

There are a variety of different types of business forms for the different needs of business owners. Factors that business owners should consider when selecting the best form for their business include the tax implications; the impact of the business form on control of the business; operating costs; reporting requirements; ending the business and the implications for the business form selected on the same; and the liability implications of the chosen business form.

Did a physical altercation lead to assault charges?

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. on Friday, October 25, 2019.

If you have found yourself accused of a serious crime, you undoubtedly want to know how to handle your case. This may be the first time you have ever gotten into serious trouble, and you may wonder how you even ended up here. Still, you are here and need to understand your legal options.

If you want to handle your case as best as possible, information will play an important part. You will likely need information on evidence authorities have against you, what took place during your arrest, what the incident entailed and what the exact charges are that you face. All of this information and more could have effects on your criminal defense strategy.

What are zoning laws?

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Business Law on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Zoning laws can be particularly important to property owners because they can have a dramatic impact on the property owner's use of their property. Zoning laws regulate the development and use of real estate; the most common type of land-use law includes zoning laws.

Typically, zoning laws divide a city or municipality into commercial zones, industrial zones and residential zones. Mixed-use zones are also a possibility. Zoning regulations address specific requirements related to the types of buildings allowed on the property; restrictions on building setbacks from the street and other boundaries and additional buildings on the property; the size and height of buildings; the number of rooms allowed in buildings; parking; and the location of utility lines.

The importance of an advance healthcare directive

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in estate planning on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

There are many important components of an effective Pennsylvania estate plan and an advance healthcare directive is one of them. Having an advance healthcare directive can provide peace of mind for both the estate planner and their loved ones, when the time comes that the estate planner can no longer make medical decisions for themselves.

An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that allows the estate planner to express their wishes concerning the medical care and treatment if they become incapacitated and are unable to do so at some point. It also allows the estate planner during the estate planning process to designate a person to make healthcare decisions on their behalf, if the estate planner becomes incapacitated and is unable do so for themselves.

When should I update my estate plan?

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in estate planning on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Knowing when to update an estate plan can be just as important as knowing what to include in an estate plan and understanding the importance of having one. There are several important situations that should trigger a review of an estate plan that every estate planner should be familiar with.

A good rule of thumb when estate planning is to review your estate plan every three years to ensure it is up-to-date and current. An estate plan is intended to accomplish the wishes of the estate planner and if the estate plan is not kept up-to-date, there is a chance it might not be able to do that. Another good time to update an estate plan is if the estate planner has relocated to another state because the laws may be different in the new state and impact the validity of the estate plan.

What is negligence and why is it important to victims?

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in civil litigation on Friday, September 6, 2019.

Negligence law is a cornerstone of personal injury legal protections and remedies for victims. Victims of car accidents or other types of accidents may have heard that the other driver was negligent but wondered what that means. Liability for harm suffered in a car or other type of accident is based on negligence which is why it is so important for victims to understand.

A personal injury claim for damages is a type of civil litigation that allows the victims of another party's negligence, such as a car accident victim who was injured by a negligent driver, to recover compensation from that negligent driver for their physical, financial and emotional damages suffered because of the driver's negligent actions. Victims may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages through a personal injury claim for damages based on negligence.

Hazing laws are getting stricter and college penalties tougher

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. on Monday, September 2, 2019.

Summer is over, and perhaps this is the semester you have waited for, the time when you are no longer the lowest member of your club or organization's hierarchy. You may have endured the initiation process with strength and dignity, and now it is time for you to be part of the initiation for incoming freshmen or pledges.

Of course, you have likely heard warnings about hazing. Perhaps your sorority, fraternity or club leaders fulfilled their obligation by sharing with you the policies and laws related to hazing rituals. Maybe your Pennsylvania college held a mandatory orientation during which speakers reminded you of the recent tragedies resulting from excessive initiation practices. However, you may not realize how easily you could face accusations of hazing and where you can turn for help.

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