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The Matrimonial 'Dating Game'
A review of equitable distribution decisions in any given year can leave one reeling, if not from the novelty of the holdings, then certainly from the frequency with which certain fundamental issues are re-litigated with the predictability of the perennials of springtime.
One such recurrent issue is the impact of a dismissed or discontinued matrimonial action on the classification and valuation of marital property. The context of the issue is this: The matrimonial court, in administering the equitable distribution statute, must undertake a three-step process: 1) Classify assets as either marital or separate property; 2) Fix the value of each marital asset as of a designated valuation date; and 3) Determine the distributive percentage of marital property that each spouse will receive.
Classification is governed by DRL ' 236(B)(1)(c), which defines marital property as those assets acquired between date of marriage and the date of commencement of 'a matrimonial action.' Where a prior matrimonial action was dismissed or discontinued and is then followed by a second action, the question becomes which commencement date controls classification? If it is the earlier action, anything acquired between the two commencement dates will be immunized from distribution. If the latter action controls, those assets come into the marital estate.
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York
In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?