Category: Professional & Legal Advice

Do You Need An Elder Law Attorney?

It’s not just about rules, but about listening and empathizing.

An elder law attorney is a lawyer whose practice focuses on the needs of seniors. Thanks to medical advances, preventive health measures, improved diet and exercise, Americans are living longer lives. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, there are more than 40 million citizens age 65 or older. As the Baby Boom generation continues to …

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Posted in A & E, Advice, Legal, Legal Advice, Professional & Legal Advice, Retirement Living, Seniors, Spring 2012 | Leave a comment

Estate Tax Uncertainty

Tax law changes have made it a moving target.

When President Barack Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 last December, it changed the federal estate tax.

The estate tax dates back 1916, when it was imposed at a rate of 10 percent on the portion of estates above $50,000. Unfortunately, it has been a moving target for …

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Know Your Non-Profit

Do your due-diligence, then be generous in your support.

Most of us are involved at some level with a non-profit organization. Perhaps you donate money to support their cause or volunteer your time. Maybe you serve on their board of directors. There are many worthy causes to support. Is your favorite non-profit worthy?

The Internal Revenue Service has long known that some organizations abuse their …

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Business Law Q&A

Insights from some of the area’s leading business attorneys.
by Michael Puente

How can a small business handle delinquent customers?

What are the pitfalls of obtaining legal advice online?

What issues are overlooked by entrepreneurs when starting a new business?

These are some of these questions on the minds of Northwest Indiana business owners.
Each year, Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly turns to the experts for …

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SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Don’t assume good service will just happen; it takes training.

So many exciting things are happening in Northwest Indiana, with new bike trails connecting our communities, the addition of sports arenas, pavilions and great parks, along with the many improvements happening along our lakeshore.

Those organizations working to assure that we are considered a destination community should be supported and commended. But one question remains: …

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Focus: Small Business

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Northwest Indiana. Small business incubators dot the region’s landscape – from Valparaiso to Hammond, from Merrillville to South Bend.

As the landscape for small business changes from traditional pursuits in manufacturing to high-tech ventures, new questions arise among entrepreneurs on how to ensure success.

To help answer those questions, Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly has asked experts from …

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Posted in Advice, Banking, Business, Business Advice, Business Features, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Care, Investments, Professional & Legal Advice, Small Business, Special Focus | Leave a comment

Technology in Construction

In the current economy, contractors are looking for ways to control costs and reduce overall construction schedules without sacrificing safety or quality. Over the years, Tonn and Blank has adopted new delivery methods to address the problems inherent with traditional building methods. Beyond the traditional design-bid-build process, we have embraced construction management, CM-at-risk, design-build, computerized design, fast-track construction and critical path scheduling to name a …

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Ready For Green Building Legislation?

In its “Report on Building Rating and Certification in the U.S. Building Community,” the National Institute of Building Sciences noted that “elected officials and policy makers at the federal, state and local levels only rarely understand the objectives, development, intended uses, opportunities and limitations of rating/certification programs for buildings and accreditation programs for individuals.” The report further notes that “at an increasing rate, state and …

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Avoid Event-Planning Blues

Northwest Indiana offers a wide variety of meeting venues, from historic buildings to convention facilities to college campuses, to handle all types and sizes of events. But beyond choosing the right space, it’s essential to focus on the nitty-gritty details to avoid problems on the big day.

Open just one year, the new Harre Union in the heart of Valparaiso University’s campus replaced an aging …

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