Closed July 3rd
The Knudsen Law Firm will be closed Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day. Have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!
Title VII Protections Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against an individual based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Court decided that such discrimination constituted a violation of Title VII. Title VII provides protections against discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex and national origin. [...]
FAVORABLE RULING IN SOCIAL SECURITY GARNISHMENT CASE
By: Trev E. Peterson Nebraska holds that Social Security funds that are comingled in a bank account are exempt from garnishment, if the account owner can prove that the funds deposited in the account were exempt funds. Schaefer Shapiro, LLP v. Ball, 305 Neb. 669, ___ N.W.2d ___ (2020) involved an appeal of a garnishment [...]
Safe Estate Planning in a Pandemic
Knudsen law is prioritizing safe estate planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus has upended our world and how we think about planning for the future. Many understandably feel great uncertainty about estate planning during this time. The increased urgency to have a secure plan conflicts with concerns of in-person meetings and even leaving the [...]
Is my stimulus payment included as income to be paid under my Chapter 13 Plan?
By: Trev E. Peterson No, debtors in Chapter 13 cases do not have to include the COVID-19 stimulus payments received from the federal government in income payable to the Chapter 13 trustee under a Chapter 13 plan. Congress specifically excluded the COVID-19 stimulus payments from the definition of income in computing debtors’ disposable net [...]
TAX DEEDS – OWNER BEWARE
By: Trev E. Peterson What happens when you do not pay your real estate taxes? Nebraska law provides two methods to collect unpaid real estate taxes. The county can sell tax sale certificates that allow the holder of the certificate to either foreclose the county’s lien for the unpaid real estate taxes or allow [...]
CHANGES TO THE BANKRUPTCY CODE UNDER CARES – PART II — CHANGES APPLICABLE TO SMALL CHAPTER 11 CASES
By: Trev E. Peterson Congress adopted a series of changes to the Bankruptcy Code in connection with the current pandemic under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). This article focuses on changes made by the CARES Act applicable to cases involving the new Subchapter V to Chapter 11. Generally Subchapter [...]
Changes to the Bankruptcy Code under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act– Part I: Changes Applicable to Consumer Cases
By: Trev E. Peterson Congress adopted a series of changes to the Bankruptcy Code in connection with the current pandemic. This article focuses on changes applicable to cases involving consumer debtors. Consumer cases are cases where the debts are primarily consumer debts—such as medical debt, home loans, car loans and credit card debt. Congress [...]
Employers Must Post Notice About New Coronavirus Laws
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires covered employers to offer additional paid sick leave as well as paid Family Medical Leave in order to care for children because of school or daycare closures. The FFCRA applies to employers with 1-499 employees. Some employers with fewer than 50 employees may qualify for an exemption [...]
Coronavirus Update
The Knudsen Law Firm is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and clients, as well as their families. For the safety of all, effective Friday, March 20th, we will close our office to the public. Nothing will change in regard to our commitment to providing your legal needs. Our attorneys and staff [...]