Massachusetts And New Hampshire Law Blog

How do you file your own insurance claim?

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in insurance disputes on Monday, April 22, 2019.

Filing for an insurance claim is not easy work. You will probably have to do quite a bit of record keeping and emailing back and forth with your insurance claims approval division. However, you may be able to navigate this system effectively for minor claims.

If you come across any difficulties, it could be an indication that you need assistance with your claims process. Do not hesitate to ask someone, as these insurance issues often have a time limit within which you would be able to secure reimbursement for your medical expenses.

What are some tax concerns when dividing assets?

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in high net worth divorce on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

No matter what time of year you get a divorce in Massachusetts, one thing to always keep in mind is the tax liability of any decision you make as part of your settlement. This is especially true in a high net worth divorce situation because you are most likely to have accounts that will face huge tax burdens if they are not handled properly. You should work closely with a tax professional to get the bottom line information about taxes for different accounts. You also should be aware of certain situations that could also bring about some tax liability.

Forbes explains that you need to consider past tax returns. If there is an outstanding tax liability on a joint account, that will not just go away because of a divorce. You need to figure out how that will be handled in your settlement. You also have to think about any tax assets. These carry over from year to year and can reduce your tax liability. Since your status will change after the divorce and put you in a higher tax bracket, it is always nice to have tax assets to reduce your taxes owed.

Understanding the fundamentals of succession planning

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in business succession on Friday, March 29, 2019.

When companies in Massachusetts are brainstorming ways to build their brand, extend their influence and move beyond their competitors, the focus often lies in strategies that can optimize resources to achieve ultimate success. However, an often unseen, but critical aspect of preparing for any organization's future is succession planning. Business leaders who prioritize the need to be training and preparing influential leaders within their organization can feel confident that the leadership of their company is in good hands if the current leaders retire or leave the business for some reason.

Succession planning is a process that is constantly evolving and requires a company to think carefully about the characteristics they value and the type of leaders they want to represent their company. Proper succession planning will incorporate training and educational opportunities designed to help individuals learn about the company's culture, brand and vision. Attention will also be given to regular performance evaluations that determine a person's ability to adhere to company protocols and his or her dedication to the company's goals.

Why do insurance companies deny health insurance claims?

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in insurance disputes on Friday, March 22, 2019.

It can be incredibly frustrating to get a Massachusetts doctor's bill and see your insurance company denied a service. You may wonder how they can do that if your doctor thought something was needed. It can be upsetting. Plus, it leaves you holding the responsibility to pay the bill. It can almost make you question why you even have insurance. Is it legal for insurance companies to deny your claims?

The answer to that is yes it is. These companies do not have to approve every claim you send their way as long as they abide by the agreement you signed when you got the insurance. According to VeryWell Health, many times a denial is due to a claim for services, medications or other things that are not covered under your insurance policy. The services from a specific provider may also not be covered and lead to a denial.

ADR or court: choose the best option

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in civil litigation on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

Alternative dispute resolution could be a good idea if you have a business-law issue in Massachusetts -- under certain conditions. At Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP, we recognize that these ADR programs work for some situations, while others require a more formal process.

There are two major factors you may want to consider when making this decision. The first is whether you have already tried some form of arbitration or mediation. The next is whether you have enough time to dedicate to the process.

How is alimony decided in Massachusetts?

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

One of the most stressful things about divorce is figuring out how to start over. This is particularly true if your soon-to-be ex made significantly more money. Before you panic, you should know you may be eligible for alimony. Here are the rules about alimony in Massachusetts.

Reporting sexual harassment

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in sexual harassment on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

When Massachusetts residents experience sexual harassment at work, they may sometimes think there is nothing they can do about the situation. However, there are several steps people can take to let their employers know what is going on.

When people realize they are being sexually harassed, it is a good idea for them to speak to a supervisor. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that a supervisor may sometimes be able to help end the harassment. Some people may feel most comfortable talking to the person who oversees their work. If the person doing the sexual harassment works under a different supervisor, though, people might want to speak to this supervisor instead. In some situations, a person may want to speak to the co-worker committing sexual harassment before he or she goes to a supervisor.

How compensatory and punitive damages differ

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in civil litigation on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

The kinds of damages awarded in Massachusetts civil litigation cases take many forms, but perhaps the two most prominent types involve compensatory and punitive damages. These forms of damages generally depend on the nature of the actions of the offending party. A plaintiff who has suffered a particularly malicious injury may be more likely to receive punitive damages than compensatory damages.

Compensatory damages, as Investopedia points out, are intended to compensate an injured party for a loss. Compensatory damages are measured by the loss a person or party has suffered and can take many forms, including medical bills if a person suffered physical injury or reimbursement for property or assets if someone experienced material loss. A person can even receive damages for mental anguish if the person suffered emotional distress.

Exit strategies and partnerships

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in business succession on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

When one entrepreneur in Massachusetts decides to go into business with another entrepreneur and create a business partnership, the pair must think carefully about how they want to structure and run their business. In addition, their partnership agreement should clearly outline some potential exit strategies.

As Forbes explains, there may be many reasons that an exit strategy needs to be utilized. This may include a conscious choice on the part of one or both partners to part ways or it may result from an unexpected situation like the death or disability of one of the partners.

Sex addiction and divorce

On behalf of Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP posted in high net worth divorce on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

Although there are many reasons why couples come to the conclusion that their marriage needs to end, a partner's unfaithfulness is responsible for many divorces. Some people may cheat on their spouse one time and deeply regret what they have done, while others may have little or no regard for their actions. Sometimes, these affairs may go on for years without the other party knowing, while other instances may involve someone being aware of their spouse's infidelity. Moreover, some people cheat on their spouse frequently as a result of sex addiction.

When someone discovers that their spouse has been unfaithful, they may be overwhelmed with negative emotions. Anger, depression and anxiety are some common emotional challenges that people face when they find themselves in this position, and sometimes the situation can be so severe that it leads to the irreparable breakdown of a marriage. If your spouse has cheated on you and you no longer want to stay in the marriage, or you have been unfaithful and your marital partner wants a divorce, it is crucial to approach the divorce process appropriately.