COVID-19 Relief: Overview of the New CARES Act
The fast spreading COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of many nonessential businesses — threatening the livelihoods of numerous small businesses here in Maine as well as the people they employed. In response to the economic and health impact of this pandemic,...
Court Finds Plaintiff Fails to Show ESOP Transaction Caused Injury
Lee v. Argent Trust Co. The private plaintiff alleged a number of violations by the ESOP trustee and other defendants. The plaintiff maintained the trustee participated in a prohibited transaction and breached its fiduciary duties. By the plaintiff’s calculation, the...
Bad News About Self-Created Intangibles
Maine has seen an increase in startups and technology-based companies, especially around the Portland area. Many — if not most — went through a process that included designs, models and patents that helped bring their respective idea to market. For a long time, those...
Appreciation in Liquor Company’s Value Represents Marital Property, Appeals Court Finds
Lucchesi v. Lucchesi In divorce cases, appreciation of separate property is one of the most complex issues whose analysis can be challenging for attorneys and valuators. A recent Tennessee appeals court decision is noteworthy for explaining the framework courts in...
Court Says Corrected DCF Still Supports Original Fair Value Determination
In re Appraisal of Jarden Corp. The Delaware Court of Chancery’s recent decision to use the unaffected market price as fair value prompted the petitioners to file a motion for reargument. In its original opinion, the court, as part of its comprehensive analysis,...
Consider Taxes When Dividing Up Retirement Accounts in Divorce
While the divorce rate in Maine is below the national average, it is still common. Divorce is obviously an emotionally and personally impactful event. But beyond that, it is also a financially impactful one. A divorce can create negative tax consequences, especially...
BV Expert Shows How to Produce a Viable Valuation with Little Financial Data Available
Kvinta v. Kvinta BV expertise matters, as a recent Florida divorce case shows in which the parties’ experts faced the challenge of valuing a company that once operated abroad but was sold a decade before the divorce trial. Only the owner spouse’s experienced valuation...
Tax Rules that Apply to Home-to-Rental Conversions
A recent report by Apartment Guide found that Maine had the 3rd largest increase in rent in the country last year. With Portland and the surrounding area experiencing a great deal of growth and development, that may not come as a surprise to many. If you own your home...
FAQs About Self-Employment Tax
It’s not uncommon for folks here in Portland and all across Maine to be self-employed. Those who are probably pay the self-employment (SE) tax. But people who do the occasional odd job or only collect income for one-off circumstances may not have to pay the SE tax. If...
New Bankruptcy Relief Coming Soon
Even as companies continue to grow in size in the Portland area, small businesses continue to be a major part of the economy in the region and throughout Maine. Anyone who runs a small business knows that it’s not easy, and sometimes it can be hard to make ends meet....