Breaking Down the SDNY Ruling in SEC v. Ripple Labs, Inc.

On July 13, 2023, Judge Analisa Torres of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) issued an important ruling in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) v. Ripple Labs, Inc., et al. that may signal a future loss for the SEC in the SEC v. Coinbase, Inc. case also currently pending in SDNY. The reason for this has to do with the court’s analysis of what it calls “programmatic sales” by Ripple Labs and the other Defendants. In order for me to describe this fully, I need to provide you with some background about the case....

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Estate Tax Savings – Inflation’s Golden Lining?

The inflation rate in the United States hit 8.2 percent year over year in the month of September meaning it is at a multi-decade high, according to NBC News. The spike in inflation has caused pain for many Americans due to the increase in food prices, housing prices, and medical care. However, there may be a golden lining to the ever-increasing inflation rate - reduced estate taxes. Reports indicate inflation could actually help save high-net-worth individuals close to $700,000 by reducing the estate tax bill that’s imposed on their assets when they pass on. How Inflation Impacts Estate Taxes Many people do not...

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Does Virginia Recognize Wills from Another State? Ashburn Estate Planning Lawyer Provides the Answer

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] According to migration data tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 264,000 people relocated to the Commonwealth of Virginia from another state in recent years. This likely means thousands of people who drafted a Will in another state will need to get the answer to an important question: Does Virginia recognize a Will drafted and notarized in a different state? Here is the answer: A Last Will and Testament created and effectuated in a different state will generally be considered valid in Virginia if it meets the legal requirements. Requirements to Create Legally Enforceable Will in Virginia If you do not...

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Battle for Baltimore’s Professional Baseball Future Will Be Determined by Estate Planning

Whether the Orioles professional baseball franchise is going to remain in Baltimore, Maryland is now an open question in the wake of lawsuit filed by Louis “Lou” Angelos (son of beloved team owner Peter Angelos) against his mother and brother. Lou Angelos filed his complaint with a Baltimore County court on June 9, 2022 demanding recent amendments to a family trust be voided. In addition, the complaint demand that his aforementioned brother, John Angelos (current CEO of the Orioles) be held liable for fraud and intentionally interfering with Lou Angelos’ inheritance. Proverbial Dirty Laundry Aired in Public When an estate-related dispute arises and is allowed to...

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InSights from February 27, 2021 Annual Client Meeting

The Annual Client Meeting is a key component of the Insight Law Maintenance Program. We are in the 13th year of hosting these meetings and have found them to be incredibly helpful to both the firm and our clients. The objective of the Annual Client Meeting is to ensure we stay connected with our clients and they stay educated on their estate plan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMOxNtQRDBk...

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Converting Small PPP Loans To Grants – A Worthwhile Policy Proposal

Congress is eyeing further legislative modifications to the Paycheck Protection Program, one of the pillar programs of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act enacted in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the policy proposals making its way through the chambers of Congress include automatically forgiving PPP loans that are less than $150,000. The idea of automatic forgiveness for relatively small PPP loans can be attributed to the Consumer Bankers Association and the Bank Policy Institute, two prominent lobbying groups that represent large financial institutions. Current Loan Forgiveness Requirements are Administrative Hassle It is possible for a small business owner to have some, or...

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Overview of the Modifications Made to the Paycheck Protection Program

Congress took a big step in modifying the problematic Paycheck Protection Program (commonly referred to as the "PPP Program"). This program was created as part of the multi-trillion dollar aid package to help Americans and small businesses in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.  However, the lack of clear guidance on how to administer the PPP Program by the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration led to a chaotic roll out and a number of large businesses gobbling up funds meant for smaller businesses hit hardest by the economic shut down brought on by COVID-19. The chaotic roll out was...

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