The Martin Law Firm, P.C.

A recent Pennsylvania Superior Court decision may have very well changed the PA Mechanics’ Lien Law dealing with repayment priority, to the benefit of the contractor, when a construction project takes a wrong turn. A mechanic's lien is a security interest that is placed on the title to property for the benefit of those who have supplied labor or materials that improve that property. 49 P.S. § 1101 et seq.

An interesting case in Missouri has made headlines recently regarding the use of an alleged forged estate planning document resulting in first-degree murder charges. William Van Note, a 67 year-old retiree, and his long-time girlfriend, Sharon Dickson, were shot during a home invasion in 2010, killing Dickson and critically injuring Van Note, wounding him with a gunshot to the head.

While it is possible to effectively complete your Pennsylvania estate planning without the guidance of an attorney, the slightest error in planning or updating your estate planning documents can have catastrophic consequences for you, your estate, and your loved ones.

When a relative or other loved one dies in Pennsylvania, his or her estate must be properly administered and closed pursuant to PA law. The person who has passed away is called the decedent. Any property that was owned solely by the decedent becomes part of the decedent’s estate. An estate executor or administrator must be appointed to handle the many responsibilities associated with PA estate administration.

The decision to conduct a DUI checkpoint near a major highway on-ramp during the annual Musikfest festival in Northampton County, PA has been questioned by police officials. The DUI checkpoint was conducted by local PA township police on the night of August 4, during the first weekend of Musikfest. Musikfest is an annual music festival that has been held each August in Bethlehem, PA since 1984.

The billionaire owners of the Philadelphia Eagles have announced their decision to file for divorce in PA after 20 years of marriage. The owners of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffrey and Christina Lurie, have announced their decision to divorce, ending their marriage of 20 years.

Automakers have received funding under the federal transportation bill for research devoted to standard safety features that would prevent drunk driving. One specific objective of the Senate-sponsored research is to determine whether it would be feasible to require alcohol-sensing technology as standard equipment in all future cars.

Those about to begin the Pennsylvania divorce process often find themselves overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted. For many, meeting with a divorce lawyer can seem like a daunting task, especially if you don’t know where to begin. Below, I’ve listed 4 common major issues that you should discuss with your divorce lawyer.

Congress will soon be considering a bill aimed at better protecting the child custody rights of military parents. The proposed new law, called the Service member Family Protection Act, would prevent family court judges from basing child custody decisions solely on service members’ past or future deployments. The bill seeks to amend the Service members Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces.

Pennsylvania parents who owe back child support and who receive checks from the federal government may see less money each month due to a cost-saving change to be made by the Treasury Department nationwide. Beginning in March of next year, the Treasury Department will begin paying federal benefits electronically, rather than by paper check.

The Pennsylvania State Police as well as local police forces throughout Montgomery County, PA will be on roving patrols throughout the region to catch drunk drivers this St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2012. PA police also plan to set up DUI checkpoints in various spots throughout the area to catch drunk driving offenders.

Pennsylvania drivers in Montgomery County and throughout the state should be aware of an important new law banning texting while driving that takes effect this week, on March 8, 2012. The PA governor passed a law to ban texting while driving statewide in December of last year.

More than half of births to U.S. women under 30 are outside of marriage. This cultural shift has many implications for child custody issues. The number of single mothers in the United States has been on the rise for quite some time. In 1970, approximately 2.8 million single mothers had custody of their children. By 1995, this number had nearly tripled.

At least two states are considering legislation to ban DUI checkpoints on the basis that checkpoints violate citizens' rights. DUI checkpoints are stationary roadblocks conducted by police officers who make suspisionless stops to check for intoxicated drivers. If it is determined that a motorist who passes through a DUI checkpoint is intoxicated, he or she will be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances under 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3802, the PA DUI law.

A Pennsylvania DUI conviction can have a serious impact on your personal and professional life. A PA DUI can result in significant DUI penalties, including fines, driver's license suspension and jail. Due to the severity of the consequences of a DUI conviction, if you have been charged with DUI or a DUI-related offense in Montgomery County, PA, you should seek the assistance of an experienced Montgomery County, PA DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

When Pennsylvania child custody is split between parents, conflicts almost inevitably arise. One issue that I am often asked about is what happens when one parent wishes to relocate with the child. The Superior Court of Pennsylvania recently analyzed this issue under the new PA Child Custody Law (23 Pa.C.S.A. § § 5321 et seq.).

Tips to avoid a drunk driving arrest (DUI) in Pennsylvania this Super Bowl Sunday from Montgomery County, PA DUI attorney Jason Martin. The Super Bowl is America’s most popular national sporting event. This year, millions of people across the country will gather with friends and family to socialize and watch the game. Unfortunately, Super Bowl Sunday is also one of Pennsylvania’s most dangerous days on the road as a result of drunk driving.

It is well known within the family law world that more people file for divorce in January than any other month. This is true in Pennsylvania as well as across the country. This statistic can be attributed to a number of factors. Couples in Pennsylvania as well as nationwide often choose to wait to file for divorce until the holiday season has passed in an effort to avoid upsetting family traditions.

In Pennsylvania, decedents' estates are required to file a PA Inheritance Tax Return (Form REV-1500) as part of the probate and estate administration process. A PA Inheritance Tax Return should be filed on behalf of any decedent who (1) resided in Pennsylvania at the time of his or her death, and/or (2) owned or had an interest in reportable property that is subject to inheritance tax.

As a Pennsylvania family law attorney, I regularly counsel both mothers and fathers with regard to PA divorce and child custody actions. While each case is certainly unique with its own set of facts and circumstances, below I’ve outlined five general tips to increase your likely of success in your child custody case.

Practical tips and considerations for handling child custody and visitation issues throughout the holiday season.

A Pennsylvania law to ban texting while driving statewide has been passed and will soon go into effect.

Medicare has established its Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Program, which will likely lead to a substantial increase in post-payment records requests for chiropractors.

Amendments to Pennsylvania's Mechanics' Lien Law are effective October 10, 2009.

Misclassifying employees as "independent contractors" exposes businesses to serious risk. Below is an overview of the legal distinctions between an employee and an independent contractor.

An overview of "Disclaimer Wills" or "Disclaimer Trusts" as part of a Pennsylvania estate plan.