Home About Us Your Authors Our Services Resources Blog Directory Avvo Legal Guides Avvo Answers Forms & Documents Webinars Other Publications Contact Us Speaking Engagements Press Contacts Oct 2010 07 Seth Smiley 0 IRS Aid to Help Victims of Chinese Drywall Just last week the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a plan to help homeowners who have corrosive Chinese Drywall in their home with tax breaks on items that have been destroyed as a result of the Drywall. You cannot make a claim that has been paid for by insurance or reimbursed by another source. MORE >>

Home About Us Your Authors Our Services Resources Blog Directory Avvo Legal Guides Avvo Answers Forms & Documents Webinars Other Publications Contact Us Speaking Engagements Press Contacts Oct 2010 18 Scott Wolfe Jr 0 Promises To Pay Mean Squat To Your Lien Deadlines Owed money on a construction project, but weary about filing a mechanics lien because the owner or contractor is promising to pay? Well, as the promise to pay “tomorrow,” turns into “Friday,” and turns into “next week,” the time period available for you to file a mechanics lien continues to tick.   Who knows. MORE >>

You separate the employees into categories:  electrician, plumber, helper/laborer…   Sounds easy enough, right?  While you may make a distinction in your everyday business, that distinction may not be the same as the US Department of Labor or the state agency controlling your project.   And from first hand experience, I can tell you that agencies like the US Department of Labor are currently interpreting these requirements very pro-laborer. Department of Labor.   We forget that the law is the rule for simple and untaught people to live by.  Wrong. MORE >>

Home About Us Your Authors Our Services Resources Blog Directory Avvo Legal Guides Avvo Answers Forms & Documents Webinars Other Publications Contact Us Speaking Engagements Press Contacts Oct 2010 13 Scott Wolfe Jr 2 Presenting At Green Legal Matters This Week in New Orleans Here is a truth:  Green Building is not a fad. Between 2005 and 2008, the Green Building Construction industry has grown by 500%, from a $10 billion industry to a $49b industry.   McGraw-Hill Trends Driving Change Report’s Green Outlook 2009 predicts the industry tripling between now and 2013, to a $140b market. MORE >>

Clearly define the goals of the building and project.   Consider adopting a rating system, and specify the system and the version. 2)    Designate a responsible party for certification :  A green/LEED coordinator can go a long way, designating someone who will be responsible for coordinating all parties, analyzing the work to ensure compatibility with the rating system, and put together all the paperwork required on the project. 3)    Responsibility Matrix: Create a “matrix” of who will be responsible for what.   This will at least mitigate the finger-pointing if or when something goes arwy. MORE >>