New Report Highlights Increase in Lifetime Real Estate Transfers in the U.S.
Leaving real estate to heirs through a will or a revocable trust has long been standard practice in estate planning. Many clients expect…
2143 Results
When SAFE is Stock: Implications of Series SAFE Preferred
Early-stage startup financings have long reflected a tension between transactional efficiency and legal precision. Instruments such as convertible notes and SAFEs were developed…
In Delaware, You Live or Die Under Your LLC Operating Agreement
Put on your Member B hat in the following not-so-hypothetical fact pattern: Member A and Member B form a Delaware LLC to invest…
Fiduciary duty claims between closely-held business owners are commonplace in litigation before the Commercial Division. A decision last fall from Suffolk County Commercial…
As the year 2025 drew to a close, the Appellate Courts were busy rendering opinions impacting the field of trusts and estates. Consider…
The IRS has published new FAQs explaining how Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account (the “Order”), will reshape…
For Close Business Owners, the Toothless Notice of Pendency Remedy Unexpectedly Gets Some Bite
It’s one of those dismaying rules of law many business owners don’t learn until they litigate. Contrary to popular belief, a business owner…
Health Law: Broad Practice on the Cutting Edge
As a healthcare lawyer and the current Chair of the New York State Bar Association Health Law Section, I am frequently called upon…
Practice AreasTrusts & Estates
Court of Appeals Reaffirms SEQRA Standing for Affected Property Owners
New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) plays a key role in its municipalities’ decision-making. Designed to ensure that environmental considerations are…
Azriel Baer Quoted in CoinDesk on Protecting Crypto Assets in Estate Planning
As digital assets become a more common part of family wealth, estate planning is getting more complex and the stakes are higher than…
Mark R. Ustin Named to City & State NY’s 2026 Trailblazers in Healthcare List
Farrell Fritz is proud to announce that partner Mark R. Ustin has been named to City & State New York’s 2026 Trailblazers in…
In 2024, the Treasury Department and IRS rolled out new rules requiring brokers involved in certain crypto transactions to meet expanded tax reporting…
Can an Equitable Accounting Find the Missing Cash?
Allegations of missing cash are a familiar feature of business divorce litigation, particularly in restaurants and other cash-heavy businesses. When the books are…
Hindsight Isn’t Fraud: The Commercial Division’s Latest Word on Release Enforcement
In settlement agreements, a valid release serves as a critical mechanism for resolving disputes between parties. By its terms, a release is intended…
New Partner Spotlight: Viktoriya Liberchuk
In celebration of our newly minted partners, Farrell Fritz is proud to present our “New Partner Spotlight,” a series of short interview profiles…
On January 2, 2026, the Nassau County Department of Assessment published the tentative assessment roll for the 2027/28 tax year. This preliminary tax…
The Pick-Your-Partner Principle
They say inertia is the strongest force in the universe. It can be the strongest force in litigation too, where business owners sometimes…
New Partner Spotlight: Allison A. Gatoff
In celebration of our newly minted partners, Farrell Fritz is proud to present our “New Partner Spotlight,” a series of short interview profiles…
As the 2026 Tax Season Begins, a Reminder of Your Rights as a Taxpayer
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) recently reminded taxpayers about the legal protections afforded by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, a set of ten…
One Very Messy LLC Freeze-Out Merger
Loyal readers of this blog may recall the powerful victory my firm’s client won in 2021 in Farro v Schochet, where the Appellate…
SPVs and the Reshaping of Venture Capital
Special purpose vehicles were always the sort of tool investors used only occasionally, in special circumstances. A hot deal. A founder who didn’t…
A recent decision from Monroe County Commercial Division Justice Daniel J. Doyle in Stuver v Greenlight Parent, L.P. demonstrates that arbitration clauses cannot…
2026 ABA-IPT Advanced Property Tax Seminar
Michael P. Guerriero, Ryan C. Hild, and Willets S. Meyer will be attending the 2026 ABA-IPT Advanced Property Tax Seminar in New Orleans, LA.
2026 NYSEDC Economic Development Conference
Farrell Fritz partners, Peter L. Curry, Michael L. Webb, and Michael P. Guerriero will be attending the 2026 NYSEDC Economic Development Conference in…
Nassau County Bar Association – An Evening to Explore Your Future Practice of Law
Michael P. Guerriero, Michael L. Webb, Hansley Mohan, Colleen Spain, and Christina Kort will be attending the Nassau County Bar Association event “An…
New Partner Spotlight: Bret Cahn
In celebration of our newly minted partners, Farrell Fritz is proud to present our “New Partner Spotlight,” a series of short interview profiles…
New Partner Spotlight: Edward D. Baker
In celebration of our newly minted partners, Farrell Fritz is proud to present our “New Partner Spotlight,” a series of short interview profiles…
Hiring in 2026: From Application to Offer
The hiring landscape is evolving faster than ever. Join Irene A. Zoupaniotis, Labor & Employment partner, to learn how accommodations and remote work,…
Michael L. Webb Discusses Gen Z–Driven Commercial Real Estate Trends on Bloomberg Radio
Michael L. Webb was on Bloomberg Radio discussing Gen-Z’s impact on commercial real estate.
Up In Arms Over the New York LLC Transparency Act
The New York LLC Transparency Act will take effect on January 1, 2026. Peter A. Mahler co-authored an article with Thomas Rutledge of…
Guardianship Defense and Rights Restoration: Litigation, SDM, and Representation Pitfalls
Bret Cahn will be speaking at the BARBRI CLE webinar “Guardianship Defense and Rights Restoration: Litigation, SDM, and Representation Pitfalls.” This CLE webinar…
But, IS Loss Sharing an “Indispensable Element” of Partnership? Not If You Contract Around It.
Happy 2026 to all! A new year offers a new opportunity to shed the old and embrace the new. So, it is fitting…
Farrell Fritz Elevates Four Attorneys to Partner and One to Counsel
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce the promotion of Edward D. Baker, Bret Cahn, Allison A. Gatoff and Viktoriya Liberchuk to partner effective…
Top 10 Business Divorce Cases of 2025
Welcome to our 18th annual edition of the Top 10 business divorce cases featured on this blog over the past year. This year’s…
Background Manhattan Commercial Division Justice Robert R. Reed recently refused to enforce a settlement agreement purportedly reached by the parties via email in…
Mere Assignment of an LLC Membership Interest Does Not Make You a Member
At New York Business Divorce, schadenfreude is our stock-in-trade. Legal missteps, misconceived strategies, and big losses provide the inspiration we need to keep…
Intended to promote clarity and predictability in valuation of solar and wind energy systems, RPTL § 575-b has been anything but clear or predictable since its enactment in 2021. Under section 575-b, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF), is required to develop an appraisal model utilizing a discounted cash flow (DCF) approach and discount rates to value solar and wind energy systems for property tax and assessment purposes.
When representing fiduciaries in litigation that estate and trust beneficiaries commence, my Farrell Fritz, P.C. colleagues and I seek to limit the fiduciaries’…
As President Donald Trump weighs an executive action that could alter the federal legal classification of marijuana, cannabis operators and industry observers say…
Practice AreasCommercial Litigation
Probating Lost or Destroyed Wills, and Proving Lost Trusts
Robert M. Harper will be presenting at the Suffolk Academy of Law program “Probating Lost or Destroyed Wills, and Proving Lost Trust.” This…
If 2025 saw an increase in New York courts’ willingness to favorably consider whether deadlock between members is, standing alone, sufficient grounds for…
Patrick T. Collins Featured in Newsday on the Impact of Alure Home Solutions’ Chapter 7 Filing
Last month, prominent home improvement company Alure Home Solutions abruptly closed after its parent company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leaving many homeowners…
The business judgment rule is a common-law principle that generally prohibits courts from questioning the propriety of actions taken by corporate directors and…
Last month, Alure Home Solutions shut down after its parent company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leaving many homeowners with few options. Patrick…
Azriel J. Baer in CNBC on Why Your Crypto Wealth May Never Make it to the Next Generation
As digital assets become a larger part of personal wealth, many Americans are unwittingly leaving cryptocurrency vulnerable or even inaccessible to future heirs….
Swing of the Pendulum: A Tale of Two “For Cause” Removals
Strict compliance with contractual conditions precedent, yea or nay? In New York, it depends. Now, the general rule is that strict compliance with…
Colleen Spain will be presenting at the Suffolk County Bar Association CLE “The Lifecycle of a Non-Profit” and will be moderated by Farrell…
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly influencing the legal profession and remains a hot topic for attorneys and the courts. AI has proven useful for…
Is Your Estate Plan Income Tax Efficient?
Due to legislation enacted earlier this year, on January 1, 2026, the federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemptions increase to $15…
Constructive trust claims regularly arise in trusts and estates litigation. Based upon a recent decision that Suffolk County Surrogate Vincent J. Messina,…
Neil V. Carbone Shares Key Insights on Inherited IRAs in MarketWatch’s “The Moneyist”
Farrell Fritz Trusts & Estates partner Neil V. Carbone was recently featured in MarketWatch’s column The Moneyist, offering clarity on one of the…
New York Municipalities’ Zoning of Cannabis Operators Faces Three Layers of Scrutiny
In March 2021, the New York State Legislature passed the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). MRTA created the state’s Cannabis Law and…
Is Choice of Law an Issue of Fact?
For close business owners and their attorneys embarking upon a major litigated business dispute, it is not unreasonable to want to know with…
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that partner John C. Armentano has been named to Long Island Business News’ 2025 Long Island Business…
Why Medical Outpatient Building Sales Are Slumping Despite Record Rents
Farrell Fritz Partner Michael L. Webb was recently quoted in GlobeSt.com’s in-depth analysis of today’s medical office building market. Despite record-high rents, strong…
The Valuation Discount That No One Can Agree On, Still
In valuation disputes, the Discount for Lack of Marketability rarely behaves. Courts disagree about it, lawyers and experts litigate it to exhaustion, and…
Property Tax Survey Indicates Taxpayers Lack Confidence in Tax System
While paying taxes will certainly never win any popularity contests, most property owners understand the simple fact that local property taxes fund the…
Nonconforming Use or Nonconforming Structure: That Is the Question
Uses and structures that do not conform to a zoning ordinance are deemed “nonconforming uses” and “nonconforming structures,” respectively. Uses relate to the…
When an aggrieved party feels his or her back against the wall, there is a strong temptation to assert every claim under the…
Milestone Money: NVCA Standardizes Tranched Financings
The National Venture Capital Association’s October 2025 update to its model stock purchase agreement didn’t make headlines outside the venture bar, but it…
Applying for State Tax Exemptions
Not for profit organizations typically ensure that they have completed the basics when it comes to formation. They check the box on the…
Patrick T. Collins Quoted in Newsday on Alure Home Solutions Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy & Restructuring partner, Patrick Collins, was quoted in a recent Newsday article examining the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing of Alure Home Solutions…
Maria Lianos Johnson Appointed to the Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center Executive Board
Farrell Fritz is proud to announce the recent board appointment of Maria Lianos Johnson to the Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center Executive…
Farrell Fritz is proud to announce that partner Michael P. Guerriero has been recognized by the New York Real Estate Journal as one…
In recent years this blog has closely followed caselaw developments concerning the powers of estate representatives of deceased LLC members to exercise member…
Farrell Fritz Ranked in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®
Farrell Fritz is proud to be included in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, recognized by Best Lawyers®. The firm earned national…
The New York Bar Foundation: 75th Anniversary Gala
Farrell Fritz is proud to be a sponsor at the New York Bar Foundation’s 75th Anniversary Gala, taking place this Friday, November 7,…
Invalidating Legal Documents and Transactions In Article 81 Guardianship Proceedings
Bret Cahn’s article, “Invalidating Legal Documents and Transactions in Article 81 Guardianship Proceedings,” was recently featured in the New York State Bar Association’s…
Estate Planning for Senior Attorneys
Maria Lianos Johnson will be moderating the Nassau County Bar Association event “Estate Planning for Senior Attorneys.” This program will consist of a…
Robert C. Creighton Named to Long Island Business News’ Top 100 Long Islanders 2025
Farrell Fritz is proud to announce that Managing Partner Robert C. Creighton has been named to the Long Island Business News (LIBN) Top…
Practice AreasTrusts & EstatesTax
In the upcoming 2026 budget year, a majority of Suffolk County’s ten Towns have made the difficult decision to “pierce” the New York…
Drawing the Line: Legal Differences Between Variances and Special Exceptions
In an ideal scenario for any property owner or developer looking to build on Long Island, all aspects of a new development project…
Indecision Has a Price: Withdraw Lawsuit, Pay Hefty Fee Award
Nature or nurture? Some lawsuits become unwise after years of development. Some are just born that way. It’s hard to say which was…
LICP Talks Labor & Employment: Preparing for the New Year
As employers prepare for the year ahead, it’s critical to understand how shifting workplace laws and regulations will impact your organization. Join Irene…
Farrell Fritz is proud to announce that the firm has a combined total of 27 attorneys that have been selected for inclusion in…
Legal Ethics and the Use of AI in Probate
Robert M. Harper will be speaking at the National Business Institute event Estate Administration and AI: New Tools, Top Risks, and the Latest…
Practice AreasCommercial Litigation
13th Annual Great Lakes Asset Protection Institute
Daniel S. Rubin will be presenting at the 13th Annual Great Lakes Asset Protection Institute. The presentation will cover how to protect marital…
2026 AICPA Personal Financial Planning Symposium
Daniel S. Rubin will be speaking at the 2026 AICPA Personal Financial Planning Symposium on the panel “Top 10 Estate Planning Strategies Post…
Rachel-Anne Scelfo Honored in the Long Island Business News Top 50 Women in Business
Farrell Fritz is proud to announce that Rachel Scelfo has been named one of Long Island Business News’ Top 50 Women in Business…
Undue Influence Objections in Will Contests
When a petitioner offers a will for probate, and the propounded instrument’s validity is contested, objectants oftentimes raise undue influence as an objection to the admission of the will to probate. By alleging undue influence, an objectant essentially contends that the propounded will resulted from another person’s influence on the testator, and, therefore, reflects the wishes of the alleged undue influencer, rather than the testator.
Bait-and-Switch Board Meetings? Delaware Court Says “Not So Fast”
In a recent decision, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware addressed a dispute at a private Delaware corporation concerning the…
Too Much Spin on the Numbers: What a Law Firm Breakup Teaches About Valuation Disputes
When done well, valuation disputes are among the most interesting and rewarding cases to litigate. But on the other hand, few things are…
Estate planning isn’t always straightforward, especially when it comes to balancing estate tax, capital gains, and trust flexibility. In a recent MarketWatch article,…
The 51st Annual Notre Dame Tax & Estate Planning Institute
Eric Penzer will be speaking at The 51st Annual Notre Dame Tax & Estate Planning Institute on the panel “Why the Settlor’s Material…
Nassau County 2025/26 School Tax Bills Issued
Nassau County property owners recently received their first-half 2025/26 school tax bills. Payment is due by November 10, 2025 to avoid penalties. It…
Eric W. Penzer will be speaking at the New York State Bar Association’s CLE Estate Litigation: Contested Probate and Accounting Proceedings – Part…
Basics of Probate Contest Discovery
Frank T. Santoro will be speaking at the New York State Bar Association’s CLE Estate Litigation: Contested Probate and Accounting Proceedings – Part…
Deal or No Deal, the Moxy Hotel Edition (or, The Joint Venture That Never Was)
You can’t have a business divorce without first having a business marriage. Simple enough, right? But, a number of cases we’ve featured on…
Talk about a roller coaster ride. Years ago, we wrote about Lengyel-Fushimi v Bellis, a pitched legal battle for control of a Brooklyn…
IRS Launches Post-Appeals Mediation Pilot Program: What Taxpayers and Practitioners Need to Know
The IRS Independent Office of Appeals announced a significant update to its alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) offerings with the launch of a two-year…
New York State Bar Association – Lost Wills and Trusts
To have a will admitted to probate in New York, a party offering the instrument for probate generally must file the original will…
American Bar Association LLC Institute 2025
Peter A. Mahler and Peter J. Sluka will be presenting at the American Bar Association LLC Institute 2025 on the panel “Non-Delaware Case…
The Bad Faith Defense to Opportunistic Expulsion
Expulsion provisions in partnership and LLC agreements implicate a familiar tension between private ordering and abuse of power. On the one hand, expulsion…
Jason Little, partner in the firm’s Cannabis practice group, returns to the Blunt Business Podcast to discuss the recent federal appeals court ruling…
Estate Planning Outlook: 2026 Projected IRS Thresholds and Exclusions
Each year, the IRS updates tax brackets and related thresholds to reflect inflation. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the estate tax…