Open government is the best government, and we are fortunate that Florida has some of the strongest open records laws and policies in the country. Though not perfect, they do a good job of promoting a more transparent and accountable government. One such policy began...
Co-authored by Sharon L. Palmer, ACP, FRP It’s that time of year again. Of course, our thoughts are turning to preparing our income tax returns – and imagining all the different ways we can “invest” our tax refund! Perhaps a down payment on a new car, something new...
On January 31, 2018, Marks Gray news media and First Amendment attorney Edward Birk was interviewed outside the Duval County courthouse by New4Jax. Birk represents Graham Media Group/News4Jax in a dispute about what evidence will be made public in the high-profile...
Co-authored by Sharon L. Palmer, ACP, FRP It is not unusual for our office to receive calls from a recent decedent’s family members who have little knowledge of their loved one’s assets and debts. They are often at a loss as to where to begin to find that information....
Down at the crossroads where innovative private enterprise meets good accountable government, there can be collisions between public records and trade secrets. Under Florida’s strong public records laws, which protects the commercially valuable secrets of those who do...
A perennial question in this internet age is, “Who exactly does qualify as the news media?” In the days when Gutenberg invented movable type, the number of printing presses could be counted on fingers and toes. Today, with the internet as every man or woman’s printing...
Co–authored by Kristine M. Scott, Estate Planning Associate As discussed in part 1, the IRS requires you to begin withdrawing a minimum amount annually from traditional IRAs (and from most 401ks) once you reach age 70 ½. These minimum withdrawal amounts are called...
Are you one of the millions of Americans with an IRA or 401k who have recently turned 70 or will reach that age in 2018? There are a few rules you need to know to avoid heavy penalties by the IRS for failure to take the proper required minimum distribution, commonly...