Legal Articles

401(K) Types, Loans, Contribution Limits, & Benefits



401(K)s can seem unnecessarily complex when you’re first looking into them. But the gist is that a 401(K) is a saving account you can’t touch until you retire. And – the biggest perk – is that any money you put in comes out before taxes come out. But, like all money, it’s going to get […]

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Right To Know Law: Everything You Need To Know



The Right To Know Law isn’t a single law. It’s a group of laws. These laws cover a variety of rights. From your rights during police encounters to workplace safety to personal information. And they’re typically different for every state. However, there are some laws – such as the right to know workplace laws – […]

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FAQ About The Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA)



If you’ve heard about FOIA but don’t know what it is, let me give you a quick rundown. FOIA is a set of laws that gives you the right to request records from any federal agency. Under this act, federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested unless it falls under one of the […]

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W-4: What It Is, Who They’re For, & How To Fill It Out



They sound and look complicated, but they’re not that bad, I promise. A W-4 is a tax form used by employers to withhold the correct amount of taxes from your paychecks. If you don’t fill out this form, or don’t fill it out correctly, you may end up having to pay additional taxes when you […]

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Martial Law: Everything You Need To Know In 2020



There’s been a lot of talk about martial law recently, particularly in the news. There’s no playbook for what we’re seeing happening in the US right now – never mind the world. So, what exactly is martial law, what are the rules, and what can we expect to see if this does happen? Technically there […]

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W-9s: What It Is, Who They’re For, & How To Fill It Out



A W-9 is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax form. If you’re on the receiving end of a W-9, rest assured that it’s just for verification purposes. In order for the company that’s paying you to issue you a 1099 and pay their own taxes, they need to first verify your TIN (or your Taxpayer […]

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Marijuana: Recreational, Grow, & Medical Laws By State 2020



Each state has its own laws regarding the recreational use of marijuana, concentrates, paraphernalia, medicinal use, and cultivation. As of now, a total of 11 states have laws that make recreational use of marijuana legal. However, in some of these states, recreational use and growing are legal, but paraphernalia is still a felony. In 17 […]

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Economic Recession VS Depression: Similarities & Differences



Recession and depression are often used interchangeably to describe the economy. Though they can also describe the job, housing, or manufacturing markets. Among other things. But are a recession and a depression the same thing? Spoiler: no, they’re not. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially declares when we’re in a recession or depression. […]

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Brexit Explained For Those Who Don’t Live In The UK



“Brexit” is short for British Exit, coined for the British deciding to leave the European Union. Their exit from the union became official as of Jan. 31, 2020. But Brexit started on June 23, 2016, and the repercussions from this move are far from over.  But before we get into that, and even more importantly […]

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Imperialism Definition, Laws, & History: From Rome To Now



Imperialism involves nations enforcing their authority over other nations. Usually through unprovoked military force, but it could be through political power plays as well. Since it’s an old practice that’s frowned upon in modern days, the word ‘imperialism’ is often used to criticize a nation’s foreign policies.    Whether that’s warranted or not, I’ll leave […]

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Is It A Monopoly? Everything You Ever Wanted To Know



We love the word monopoly. It’s super fun to say, for one. And two, they seem to be everywhere. From your cellphone company to your favorite social media platform. But what is a monopoly and why are we so fascinated with the idea? A true monopoly is when a single person or company is the […]

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Breach Of Contract: What It Is, Types, Examples, & Resolving Them



A breach of contract is a failure to meet the expectations in the contract. Pretty simple stuff, right? But, of course, contracts are rarely simple – and they’re far from foolproof. Breaches of contracts span from trade secrets being released and it financially ruining you to something as insignificant as the size of your logo. […]

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Plausible Deniability Definition, Examples, & Laws



Plausible deniability is defined by the dictionary. But it’s not technically a legal term or defined in any legal documents. Which makes it a much looser term than it sounds. On top of that, plausible doesn’t mean trustworthy, possible, or even likely. Plausible means you could conclude that something might or might not be possible. […]

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Nepotism, Cronyism, & Favoritism: Illegal Or Unethical?



Nepotism in its simplest form is showing favoritism towards relatives. On the other hand, the less commonly thrown around (yet more commonly occurring) cronyism, is showing favoritism towards friends, associates, or colleagues. In general, they both involve “playing favorites.” Situations like choosing a relative for the job when there were more qualified applicants, promoting the […]

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How To Get A Green Card



Many people around the world want to know how to get a green card in order to live and work in the United States. Some of the most common ways to do so involve being sponsored by a family member or an employer. In some instances, people may marry in order to obtain a green […]

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How To Obtain A Criminal Background Check In Pennsylvania



Most Pennsylvania criminal background checks are public record. This means information is accessible to anyone who knows how to search for it online or request it by mail. As is the case in all other states, however, juvenile records and officially sealed records can only be accessed by a court order.  Who Needs a PA […]

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How To Avoid Probate



Going through probate after a loved one’s death can be a stressful, lengthy, and expensive process. Fortunately, there are many simple ways to avoid probate as long as you plan in advance. This is an excellent option for many families because it allows you to cut back on or eliminate court fees, executor fees, and […]

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How To Check If A Number Is On The Do Not Call List



Telemarketing calls are nothing new, but many people still receive them on a daily basis. If you do not recognize a phone number calling you, there is a good chance it is an unwarranted sales call. And while there are call-blocking apps and built-in tools on your phone that you can use to ward off […]

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How To Obtain a Death Certificate



There are several reasons why someone might need to get ahold of a death certificate. If a loved one has passed away, or if you are responsible for a deceased person’s assets, you will likely need to have multiple copies of a death certificate. For instance, after someone passes, executors, beneficiaries, and family need copies […]

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How To Report A Scammer To The Police



If you’ve ever been scammed, you may feel hopeless. Scam artists have many tactics up their sleeves, from selling counterfeit goods to stealing your information online. Sadly, the majority of people have found themselves on the receiving end of a scam, unsure about how to find justice. But fortunately, there are ways you can fight […]

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