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Businesses of all sizes across New York State have felt the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the form of decreased business and revenue.  In an attempt to reduce expenses and keep the business viable during these difficult times, many businesses have reluctantly decided to layoff or furlough a large portion of their employees.  Under current New York State laws, however, this decision will have major financial implications for the business that will last long after the COVID-19 health crisis has passed in the form of steep increases to their Unemployment Insurance contributions.

In my previous blog post I provided a comprehensive overview of an employer’s responsibilities under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (a copy of which can be found here).  In this post I will explore the small business exemption to the FFCRA including what it entails, when a small business qualifies for it, and how a business can go about claiming said exemption.

Whether you are a business owner or an employee, it is essential that you are familiar with two federal laws during the current health crisis:  (i) Families First Coronavirus Response Act; and (ii)  Family Medical and Leave Act.  In short, the former guarantees certain employees to paid leave while the latter provides employees with job-protected unpaid leave.  In this blog post I will focus on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and what it means to employers and employees in New York State. 

During this current health crisis both New York State and the Federal government have attempted to pass legislation to assist businesses and their employees.  The sheer amount of information being broadcasted on television and posted on the internet can seem overwhelming, especially considering that what you hear in the morning is no longer true by the afternoon.

The number one inquiry my office gets from people looking to start a business is what type of business entity they should form.  There are a myriad of options ranging from corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, sole proprietorship, etc.  There are numerous factors you should consider when selecting the type of entity to form.  The least important of these factors, however, should be the cost to form them.  The biggest mistake people make when starting a business is selecting an entity based solely on how much it cost to form them.  Doing so typically results in clients selecting the wrong type of entity which can have negative tax and legal implications.  The cost to resolve the issues surrounding the formation of the wrong entity will far exceed any money you had saved during the formation process.  Accordingly, my next few blog posts will discuss this very important step in starting your new business.

When looking to start a new business it can be overwhelming as there are many things you need to consider.  I advise all entrepreneurs who call my office that before making any decisions related to their new business they should first consult with a lawyer and an accountant.  That is because decisions you make during the early stages of your new business will have legal and tax implications for years to come.  The small cost for the well heeded advice of these professionals will save you time and (more importantly) money in the long run.  Over the next few blog posts I will discuss some of the most common questions I get from people looking to start a new small business.

There is a stigma around bankruptcy, and many people fear that bankruptcy will lead to a bleak future. Nothing could be further from the truth. After bankruptcy, you can start rebuilding your credit and getting your finances back on track.

At the Law Office of Steven A. Campanaro, we are committed to helping our clients improve their lives through the bankruptcy process. We understand how emotionally draining, stressful and overwhelming debt can be. When you work with our firm, we will provide you with the support you need to feel confident and secure in your financial future.

Are you behind on your house payments? Are you unable to pay back taxes? Have you reached your credit limit and are struggling to pay the monthly credit card statements? If you are stuck in any of these situations, you may be wondering, "Is bankruptcy right for me?"

In the State of New York there is a formal legal process a lender must follow in order to foreclose on a home it holds the mortgage to. The first step under New York State law is for the lender to provide the homeowner with a formal notice of its intent to foreclose if the mortgage arrears are not paid by a specified date. Said notice must be provided to the homeowner at least ninety (90) days before the lender commences the foreclosure proceeding. The law also provides that the notice contain specific language and that the lender provide the name of at least five (5) non-profit housing counseling agencies. Failure to strictly comply with all of these requirements could be grounds for the dismissal of the foreclosure action.