About Andrew Brandt
Andrew Brandt is an editor on Super Lawyers‘ staff. He serves as the editor for the Illinois, Northern California, Upstate New York, Missouri-Kansas, and Texas magazines, and he additionally writes, fact-checks and proofreads for numerous other Super Lawyers issues (and for the website). He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in English literature and environmental studies, and his byline has appeared in a variety of places, both online and in print.
Articles written by Andrew Brandt
When Is Mediation Not Appropriate?
Mediation is not appropriate when there is a history of coercive control, safety concerns, or a refusal to compromise. Power imbalances, bad-faith participation, restraining orders, and domestic violence generally indicate mediation will not be successful, nor is it appropriate for emergency relief where time is a factor. Hidden assets, fraud claims, and criminal conduct can lead to failed mediation. Parties can turn to litigation or arbitration alternatives for binding rulings with greater …
As of 2019, Alimony Will No Longer Be Tax-Deductible
Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as of 2019, alimony payments will no longer be deductible for former spouses that pay it. “For those people who have not completed their divorce in 2018, if there’s going to be spousal support—that’s no longer going to be tax-deductible to the person who pays it, and it will no longer be income that the person who receives it has to report on their tax return,” says David Starks, a family law attorney at McKinley Irvin in Kirkland. “That matters …
What Happens When a Case Is Referred to Mediation in New York?
When a case is referred to mediation in New York, the parties try to reach a settlement agreement without going through court. Confidential court-referred mediation involves selecting a mediator from the court roster, responding to a scheduling order for party attendance, and showing up ready for good-faith participation. Many cases involve presumptive ADR with a referral order unless you file an opt-out request. Mediators can use joint sessions or private caucus to reach a settlement with a …
Death and Digital Assets
While the digital age has made most things easier, estate planning isn’t one of them. The opposite, in fact. “It’s not as easy as it used to be,” says Paul Gantner, an estate planning attorney at law firm Amen, Gantner & Capriano in St. Louis. “People used to draft their will or trust, and that was all they needed.” “As the younger generation — who has grown up with a digital footprint — starts to die, [estate planning] will become more of an issue,” adds Melinda Ward, …
A Walk-Through of the Mediation Process
The court system has an adversarial structure. Generally, there is a winner and a loser, and the results of a court order or final decision are unpredictable. The litigation process can also be time-consuming and expensive. Mediation is an alternative to formal court proceedings. Benefits of mediation include time and cost savings, individualized outcomes, and confidentiality. Mediation is useful for a wide range of legal issues, including: Family law matters such as divorce and child custody …
Should I Take Out a Payday Loan?
You should take out a payday loan when you need a short-term loan or emergency cash advance, do not have other lending options, and understand the potential risks of these loans. Payday loans may have hidden fees, exorbitant interest, and a debt cycle of rollover fees. Vulnerable borrowers with a loan default face potential credit damage, wage garnishment, and debt collector harassment. To get out of a financial trap with a predatory lender, debt relief options include bankruptcy filing, …
Every Rose Has Its Horn
Larry Bechler performed in three Rose Bowls with ‘The Best Damn Band in the Land’My father was a trumpeter in big bands from the mid-’30s through the mid-’40s, so we had a nice silver trumpet in the house. I picked it up and started playing in about the fourth grade. I took public lessons at Wells Street Junior High School, then participated in a summer youth band called the Milwaukee Elks Cadets Band. We performed at competitions in South Milwaukee and the Bratwurst Festival in Sheboygan, and such things. Our theme song was “(Won’t You Come Home) Bill Bailey.” …
How To Redevelop Property in a NYC Historic District
There are more than 75 historic districts in Manhattan. They range, alphabetically, from African Burial Ground and the Commons to West End–Collegiate; geographically, from Hamilton Heights/Sugar Hill in the north to Frances Tauvern in the south; and chronologically from Sniffen Court and Turtle Bay Gardens (both designated on June 21, 1966) to Central Harlem — West 130-132nd Streets (designated on May 29, 2018). “Historic districts possess architectural and historic significance, have a …
What Is the Cost of Divorce Mediation?
The cost of divorce mediation depends on the case complexity, mediation hours, session count, and professional fees. Some private mediators charge a flat fee or an hourly rate with a retainer deposit. Total expenses include court fees, filing costs, and administrative fees. Complex divorce mediation costs could include travel expenses, document review of financial disclosures, agreement drafting fees, and expert fees. Individuals may want a legal consultation, which is not a shared cost, to …
Crosscourt Shot
Family lawyer and U.S. Open mainstay Richard Kent has written three tennis booksRichard Kent is no average tennis fan. He has attended the U.S. Open—the annual hardcourt tournament held in New York each August—for 40 consecutive years. He does more than spectate. He’s commentated the event for Bloomberg News and has even written a book about it. “I know it inside and out—all the nooks and crannies,” Kent says. “In my book, I describe it as ‘Disney World for a tennis fan.’ You could go and never watch a match and still have a full day.” Kent wrote the …
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