Register Of Wills Increases Fees

While a 40% rate hike (from 1.25% to 1.75%) might at first glance seem extreme, the recent Register of Wills closing cost increase is in most cases modest, and in any case, long over due.

The New Castle County Register of Wills is the most user friendly government office that I have dealt with. I applaud them. The rate hike is effective for estates where the date of death is on or after July 1, 2007.

Please consult an attorney to get an accurate explanation of how this might effect any given particular estate, or estate plan.

Watch Out for Skimmers

Some local ATM's have been fitted with Skimmers to steal your bank account information when you access the ATM. Be cautious when using an ATM. If the swiping mechanism looks larger than normal, or otherwise different, go somewhere else. The News Journal reported these problems in Bear.

Has Halloween Gone to The Dogs?

With each approaching holiday, I find myself most intrigued by the history behind the customs and rituals than the actual celebration. Reclusive in nature, I would much rather immerse myself into a good read or history channel presentation than endure social gatherings that revolve around these events. This, of course, is the weary adult speaking-as a child, the magic was all encompassing and the mere anticipation of these times was enough to make me giddy. Now that I am a parent, I am fortunate enough to observe this same enthusiasm within my child.

With this said, Halloween is right around the corner. I ask myself, just why I’ll be accompanying my little girl on a begging for candy mission throughout my neighborhood. And just why will I be opening my door to “treat” those children that have in the past played the old,” ding, dong, ditch” game with my doorbell? Upon researching this subject, after failing to provide my inquisitive kid an acceptable explanation, I prefer to broadly describe it as a mish mash of pagan and Christian traditions. I personally enjoy the story of Celtic community bonfires and the bringing home of a flame in hollowed out gourds and turnips. There’s also the idea of ancient people wearing costumes/animal skins and heads to confuse evil spirits. Today, our children are using their imagination to morph into anything from sweet Disney characters to more scary creepy figures. My daughter, who is now well out of her cute girlie princess phase, has selected a skeleton costume. And well, our dog may be sharing in this tradition this year too.

by Kelly

King Tut Comes to US

With wide eyed wonder that only a child could have, I read and re-read my grandfathers King Tutankhamen issue of National Geographic. I wished with every fiber of my being to travel to Egypt and set my eyes (and chocolate smeared hands) upon the beautiful treasures of a long forgotten boy pharaoh. Now, many years later, I need only travel as far as the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA to view these priceless artifacts.

I am not a patient person by nature, and normally will not “do” lines, but this exhibit is special. I will pay my $27.50 entrance fee, and wait (with the restraint comparable to that of an 8 year old) for my visit with the boy pharaoh.

Kelly

We Don't Have an Immigration Problem

We don't have an immigration problem, as I understand it. What we have is a tax evasion problem. Too many U.S. employers are willing to break the law by not withholding and paying the employment taxes associated with those that they hire.

The answer is not in the building of fences, because the problem is not that people are crossing the borders. The problem is with our own citizens and employers in building a culture in which it is acceptable to not pay taxes. And the problem is with the misallocation of resources.

When we apply the resources to fix the real problem, and when we clean up our culture of crime, we can improve the situation. Until then, we are just serving pork.

Delaware Stays on the cutting edge of corporate law, with State Constitutional Amendment

In a continuing effort to improve and develop Delaware's corporate governance laws, Delaware has implemented a Constitutional Amendment to speed up SEC inquiries. Delaware Online Reports.

Now, the SEC can certify questions of law directly to the Delaware Supreme Court. Here is some of the amended text (relative to the jurisdiction of the Delaware Supreme Court):

(8) To hear and determine questions of law certified to it by other Delaware courts, the Supreme Court of the United States, a Court of Appeals of the United States, a United States District Court, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the highest appellate court of any other state, where it appears to the Supreme Court that there are important and urgent reasons for an immediate determination of such questions by it. The Supreme Court may, by rules, define generally the conditions under which questions may be certified to it and prescribe methods of certification.

The State is Giving Back $5,000,000.00!

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes the government does give back the extra money that was taken from people. Superior Court is now supervising the return of 5 Million Dollars in excess forclosure sale proceeds which have accumulated over the last 5 years. And this was from people who could scarely afford it in the first place!

The project is called.... Rightful Owner. The Court has set up a site to help us track this process, and gather information. Go ahead and check for your name on the list, if you were involved in a mortgage forclosure.

I remember when I supervised a project in Family Court to track down missing restitution payees. It was great fun, and it was very appreciated by the folks who were due the funds. I suspect that the folks involved in this Superior Court process will feel the same. After they jump through the procedural hoops though.

For cases where there is more than $1,000 involved, the filing fee is $75 and a title search (about $100 cost) is among the prerequisites to filing a claim. There is no filing fee for the cases of less than $1000.