Real Estate Tax Assessments
Tom Olejniczak
It is the time of the year when all municipalities are required to send out an assessment notice to property owners if the assessment has changed from the prior year. This "Notice of Assessment" tells the property owner at what price the municipality has valued the subject property. With the relative decrease in the value of real property over the past two years, it is an important time to thoroughly review the valuation that is placed on your property. Many municipalities have tried to keep pace with the inflationary value that occurred over the past ten years, but will rarely take a look at a reduction in value.
In the event a person disagrees with the value as determined there are very specific and stringent requirements to meet in order to have the valuation reviewed. The failure to comply with the rules will result in the determination of value as established by the municipality. Additionally, there are limited avenues of evidence that can be presented when an appeal is taken.
We are well practiced in the area of valuation appeals and can counsel you on the realistic approach to take if you have an issue with the assessment you have received. |
Estate Planning: A Gift of Debt 
If you inherit property, of course you should be grateful and count your blessings. Still, consider the possibility that the gift may come with a big string attached-a debt linked to the property, such as is particularly common with real estate or a car. In that event, the question arises as to whether the debt must be satisfied from the particular asset or from the decedent's estate more generally. How this question is answered can cause a big swing in the respective gift amounts for beneficiaries of an estate.
|
OSHA Alerts
Alert #1: Enforcement, Standard-Setting are OSHA Priorities
On March 11, 2009 President Obama signed a $410 billion omnibus spending bill that provides more than $513 million for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA will see a $27 million increase over fiscal year 2008 spending levels under the bill. According to an explanatory note, the $27 million increase for OSHA funding should be used "to begin rebuilding OSHA's enforcement capacity and to increase the pace of standard setting." To that end, the bill directs OSHA to set aside $1 million for "record keeping enforcement initiative on injury and illness reporting, addressing the apparent lack of completeness of the OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses." Another $250,000 is set aside for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to pursue follow-up studies on underreporting of worker injury data, particularly among the self-employed. more
|
| Modification to Health Care Self-Disclosures
 Tricia Nell
Stark and Anit-Kickback violations are an area of a physician's practice that makes them wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. This area also causes hospital and health care systems millions of dollars. Violators of these laws can face significant civil, criminal, and/or administrative sanctions. The sanctions may include financial penalties and potential exclusion from participation in federal health programs. The threat of these damages has prompted hospital and health care providers to attempt resolution of claims brought under these laws.
| |
 |
 |
 |
|
Special Alert
Discrimination Bill Makes Its Way to Governor Doyle's Desk
Last week the Wisconsin Assembly called a "Special Session" to address a new bill that would make compensatory and punitive damages available to employees who prevail in discrimination cases brought under Wisconsin's Fair Employment Act.
| |
|
|
|
|
LCOJ E-Newsletter
Our quarterly newsletter
is sent electronically. If you know someone who would be interested in receiving our newsletter please click on the icon below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HR SmartPractice
HR SmartPractice is the LCOJ Labor and Employment Team's e-newsletter. This monthly email advisory was designed to keep management up-to-date with labor and employment law updates, proposed legislation, new cases and articles published by our attorneys.
Click here to view the most recent HR SmartPractice.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
In the Community
Liebmann, Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. has made a donation to the Friends of the Fox River Trail organization to help complete another mile of pavement beyond Rockland Road on the south end of the trail. The firm committed funds to the initiative as a "thank you" to our clients for completing the firm's survey.
The trail has proven to be a great asset to our community and we are happy to contribute to its expansion and continued success.
Managed by Brown County, the Fox River Trail sees over 100,000 users every year. The Friends of the Fox River Trail organization continues to raise funds to complete the paving of the trail south of Rockland Road.
| |
|
|
|
|
Quick Links
LCOJ Homepage
| | |
