You’re stopped by the police for a minor traffic infraction and the officer asks to search your car for no apparent reason. What would you say? Are you required to agree? Knowing your rights and having legal counsel who you can trust can make a world of a difference in your interactions with the police. Fiffik Law Group Attorney Karyn Coy recently helped to stop the unlawful search of her client’s car during a routine traffic stop. Attorney Coy’s client, a Philadelphia man, was pulled over by police for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. He complied with the police officer’s orders by providing his license, registration, and proof of insurance. After confirming these were all valid and up-to-date, the officer should have either given the client a verbal warning or a written citation and then left the scene. Instead, the officer became aggressive and demanded to search the man’s car. The man was stunned – he had done everything that he was supposed to do. He knew the officer had no legitimate reason to want to search his car. When he asked the officer why he wanted to search his car, the officer accused the man of acting nervous. Not only is the appearance of nervousness not a valid legal reason to search someone’s car, but it is a perfectly normal response when confronted by an agitated police officer. When the man refused the search – after the officer repeatedly attempted to intimidate the man into consenting to it – the officer called in backup. With the situation escalating from what was, in reality, a minor traffic violation, the man knew he needed help. Black drivers are searched about one and a half to two times as often as white drivers even though they are less likely to be carrying illegal contraband compared to white drivers, according to a study done by New York University. Another study done by the University of South Carolina found that black people are 63 percent more likely to be stopped even though, as a whole, they drive 16 percent less. Knowing those statistics and being familiar with news stories of police interactions with minorities going horribly wrong, one can imagine how scared the man must have been in this situation. While the man anxiously waited for additional police officers to arrive, he called the LegalShield® Emergency line and was immediately connected with Attorney Coy. After he explained the situation, Attorney Coy advised her client of his rights, which was that there was absolutely no reason for the officer to search his car. She then made her presence known to the officer through speakerphone, stating she was advising her client not to consent to the search, and that he should either write him a citation or let him go. As soon as the officer realized the man had an attorney on the phone, he changed his tune and let him go without a citation or even a verbal warning. “Access to justice means having the resources to defend yourself when you are not being treated fairly according to the law. I’m thankful I was able to get in contact with my client before the situation escalated.” - Karyn Coy | Attorney, Fiffik Law Group, PC This altercation with police might have gone very differently if the client had not called Attorney Coy. The LegalShield® Emergency line is crucial for situations like this one where you need to get in contact with an attorney immediately. There is no body camera requirement for police officers in Pennsylvania, so, without an attorney present, whether or not you consented to a search comes down to your word against the police’s. It is not only important to be aware of your rights, but it is also crucial to have an attorney on your side advocating for you. Fiffik Law Group's mission is to provide access to justice for all. If you find yourself in a similar situation where you need to contact an attorney on the spot, call the LegalShield® Emergency Line at 1-877-825-3797. If you are interested in becoming a LegalShield® member, learn more here.

Fiffik Law Group, PC  is pleased to announce that Matthew A. Bole  has been promoted to Partner. Matt has worked with our firm since graduating from Duquesne University School of Law in 2011. He focuses on plaintiff’s personal injury, workers’ compensation and civil litigation matters. His clients have recovered millions of dollars as a result of his zealous advocacy. From 2015-2021, Matt was named to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyer – Rising Stars, which places him in the top 2.5 percent of attorneys in Pennsylvania who are 40 years old or younger. Matt has also served as a Hearing Committee Member for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for the past four years. “I am thrilled to assume this new role with the firm I have been with for my entire professional career. I look forward to the opportunity to further serve our clients and continue to grow with Fiffik Law Group.”   - Matthew A. Bole | Partner, Fiffik Law Group, PC Matt lives in Robinson Township with his wife, Jessica, and his son and daughter. SEEN IN: Explore Clarion

Take a look at your life and your assets to see if you fit into one or more of these situations that can impact your finances: You're in a second (or later) marriage You own one or more businesses You own real estate in more than one state You have a disabled family member or you've become disabled You have minor children You have "problem" children You don't have any children You want to leave some or all of your estate to charity You have substantial assets in 401(k)s and/or IRAs You were recently divorced You've recently lost a spouse or other family member You have an incapacitated spouse in need of long-term care You have a taxable estate for federal and/or state estate tax purposes You will need the counseling and advice of one of the experienced estate planning and elder law attorneys at Fiffik Law Group to assist with your future plans if one or more of these situations apply to you.

Pennsylvania business applications were up 24 percent in 2021 over the previously record-breaking year of 2020. In 2021, Fiffik Law Group, PC helped clients form over 175 new businesses. Each month, we spotlight one of our clients’ exciting new businesses. This month’s business is Affirm Candle, owned by our client, Gardith. Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Gardith lost her family to the devastating earthquake in 2010. To cope with and heal from this trauma, Gardith began to explore aromatherapy, affirmations, and candle making. As time went on, she decided to create Affirm Candle as a way to connect with and help heal other people who have also been through trauma. “I have always been interested in aromatherapy and herbal medicine as a result of my upbringing on the Islands. When humans don't have many resources, we are forced to use the Earth, the best resource!” - Gardith Gardith’s business is beyond an interest for her – she is an expert with several degrees in an array of fields: Bachelor's degree in Africana studies from Cornell University Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Drexel University Certificates in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Aromatherapy, and Hypnotherapy She is also currently pursuing a dual degree in Academic Medicine and Research focusing on Trauma Therapy. For Gardith, her craft involves more than just making candles smell good - she uses her impressive educational background to scientifically craft her candles. For example, she uses a distillation apparatus to make her own essential oils. Purchasing essential oils outright can be highly expensive, but her homemade process allows her to reasonably price her products for her customers. Gardith first connected with Fiffik Law Group through her LegalShield membership that she obtained when she started the process of opening her own business. “I needed someone that I could constantly call to answer all my questions…I am a perfectionist – I like to master one thing before moving on to the next. I stay in my lane of science, so I need someone else who is an expert in law to help me.” -Gardith Fiffik Law Group helped Gardith with a wide variety of issues related to starting your own business, many of which Gardith would not have otherwise been aware of. Registering trademarks for her brand and products Only including legally required ingredients on the candle labels so competitors cannot copy her recipes Requiring customers to sign an authorization form to protect Gardith from liability Including product disclaimers to protect Gardith from liability Applying for a membership to the National Candle Association “LegalShield is super efficient and affordable.” -Gardith Check out the Affirm Candle website to browse all of Gardith's products and learn more about affirmations and aromatherapy. Fiffik Law Group, PC assists business owners at every stage of their business journey. Whether you have questions on business formation or you're planning for succession, our group of business attorneys has the experience to help you. Call or email us to request a consult today! Visit our website to learn more about what Fiffik Law Group, P.C. can offer you.

By Michael Fiffik, Esquire Americans’ entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well despite the continued COVID pandemic. Nearly 5.4 million new business applications were filed in 2021 according to data released this month by the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s an all-time record and a 23% increase over 2020, which was also a record-setting year 4.4 million new applications. This is great news for workers as well because small businesses have accounted for over 65% of net new job creation since 2000 according to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. Thirty-two percent (32%) of the record-breaking business applications in 2021 are categorized as “high propensity” applications, which means they are associated with a high likelihood of transitioning into a business with payroll. Companies with fewer than 10 employees account for 78.4 percent of all companies with employees. Small business truly does drive our economy. Pennsylvania Applications Way Up in 2021 Pennsylvania business applications were up 24% in 2021 over the record-breaking year of 2020. There were 158,000 applications in 2021 compared to 127,000 in the prior year. Philadelphia county led with an eye-popping 61% increase over 2020, followed by Allegheny, Montgomery and Delaware Counties. Nationally, northeastern states trailed only the western states in gains over 2020 formations. Activity was somewhat lower in the Midwest and South. We also experienced a significant increase in business formation activity among Fiffik Law Group business clients. In 2021, we formed 175 new businesses. Most of these were limited liability companies. That’s a 25% increase over 140 formed in 2020, a year in which we experienced a surge over the prior year. Industries highly affected by the pandemic showed the largest gains The new business surge is broad-based and happening across almost every industry sector, as applications for new likely employer businesses in 2021 were up across virtually all major industry categories. The biggest gains were in the food service, retail and healthcare sectors. These sectors experienced extreme shocks to their normal operations throughout the pandemic. The jump in intent to form new businesses likely reflects a necessity to adapt in response to job losses during the downturn as well as an opportunity to fill new economic needs amid changing consumer preferences, supply chain issues, and novel circumstances brought on by the pandemic. Why the Boom During a Pandemic? Why would so many new businesses be formed during the uncertainty of a pandemic? Is this the best time for people to be taking risks? It seems paradoxical that people would choose the pandemic as a time to start a new business. There’s no one answer. From our experience with our own clients, we see a few common themes. The first is simple necessity. Over the past two years, a number of people filing paperwork for new businesses lost their jobs in the pandemic and decided to become self-employed. Over 22 million people became suddenly unemployed or underemployed as a result of the pandemic. Starting a business is an aspirational dream for many but during the pandemic, it became an economic necessity to pay the bills and put food on the table. People laid off became free lancers, uber drivers or gig workers. The second reason is availability of start-up capital. Stimulus payments, pandemic unemployment kickers, and the stock market surge created capital that was used to fund start-ups. Already established businesses received Paycheck Protection and other SBA loans and grants. They invested that money in diversifying and expanding their businesses. Even those who were still working had more time on their hands due to remote work and consequently could devote that time to pursue business opportunities. Many others walked away from stable careers, convinced there was no better time to chase their dreams. Opportunity was a driver as well. The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of already weak or poorly managed businesses. It forced those businesses to close, creating opportunities for new entrepreneurs to fill the gaps with new ideas and ventures. Online shopping exploded, adding $800 billion to the online retail marketplace. Many stay-at-home workers used the time previously devoted to work travel or socializing to start up online stores on Etsy, eBay and Amazon while holding down their regular jobs and income. For example, the number of sellers on Etsy increased by over 60% from 2019 to 2020. These sites experienced increased numbers of sellers again in 2021. Will the Business Surge Last? It will take months to evaluate how many of these expressions of entrepreneurial intent reflected in the business formation statistics actually turn into new companies that go on to hire workers. Research shows there has historically been a high correlation between the number of applications and lasting business formation. If the past is any guide and a substantial number of these applications turn into real new companies, their survival and growth will help power the economic recovery. The experienced business attorneys at Fiffik Law Group have launched and guided thousands of businesses.We can help you make informed decisions about your business to help achieve your goals and dreams. Contact us today for a free consult.

The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court issued a decision on January 28, 2022 finding that Pennsylvania’s no-excuse mail-in voting law is unconstitutional. Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives petitioned to block the mail-in voting law which was passed in 2019 ahead of the 2020 elections. That law allowed any qualified voter to submit a ballot by mail up to 50 days before and election. It also placed voters on a list to permanently received ballot applications by mail and extended mail in and absentee submission deadlines. “No-excuse mail-in voting makes the exercise of the franchise more convenient and has been used four times in the history of Pennsylvania. Approximately 1.38 million voters have expressed their interest in voting by mail permanently.” - Commonwealth Court Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt, who authored the ruling. “If presented to the people, a constitutional amendment to end the Article VII, Section 1 requirement of in-person voting is likely to be adopted. But a constitutional amendment must be presented to the people and adopted into our fundamental law before legislation authorizing no-excuse mail-in voting can ‘be placed upon our statute books.’” - Leavitt Over 2.6 million Pennsylvanians voted via the mail in the 2020 general election. That number includes both no-excuse mail voting and absentee voting. Absentee voting in Pennsylvania is similar to mail voting and has existed for years, but voters need a valid excuse — like an illness or being out of the area on Election Day — to use it. Absentee voting is unaffected by Friday’s court ruling. The state is expected to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court, which turned back other challenges to the law in 2020. This is a developing story so stay tuned for additional updates.

By Michael Fiffik, Esquire Many small businesses depend on infusions of cash from their owners in order to start up, meet cash flow needs or finance expansion plans. The infusions can be nominal, such as small sums needed to meet an unexpected emergency, or can be substantial, as a way to start a business. How the advance is treated by the owner and business impacts tax treatment and whether the advance is repayable to the member who made it. Three Types of Investments in Small Business There are three primary ways to secure capital for your business: equity investments, debt investments, and convertible debt. Equity Investment: When the company receives an equity investment, an investor contributes funds to the business in exchange for a stake in your company. These are also referred to as capital contributions. A capital contribution can be cash, property, services rendered, or other obligation to contribute cash or property or to perform services. While accepting these investments means giving up a portion of your company’s earnings, it can also mean bringing on well-qualified partners who are motivated to help your business succeed. Debt investment: A debt investment is simply a loan you accept to get your business up and running. This is the most common form of capital for new businesses. Generally, a business owner will set an interest rate they are willing to pay and a general time frame for repayment when seeking out debt investors. The members of the business may also loan money to the company, separately from their capital contributions. The terms of a member loan to a business, like any other owner loan, should be documented carefully in a business loan agreement specifying the amount, interest rate, repayment terms, and default provisions. A loan by a member does not change the member's capital contribution or distribution of profits and losses. To receive a debt investment, you will usually need some collateral to back up your loan. While it’s possible to receive a loan without it, lack of collateral will often limit the amount of money you’re able to secure or will make the costs of the loan much higher. Convertible debt: This is essentially a combination of the other two options. When a business owner takes on a convertible debt they accept a loan while agreeing to either repay the money or convert the debt into equity at some time in the future. Typically, the business owner will offer a discount of 20% to 25% when the debt is converted to equity, meaning a $1 million investment could potentially yield $1.25 million worth of equity at the time of conversion. Pros and Cons of Capital Contributions vs. Loans The classification of the advance of money to the company by a member or lender has a variety of implications for the company and the person making the advance. Capital Contributions Equity investments are an attractive option to business owners because they provide funding that does not need to be repaid. In addition, they are not reflected as company liabilities on the company books. When the company is seeking a loan, the lender looks at company liabilities to determine the creditworthiness of the company. Having fewer loans on the books will be viewed favorably by the lender. The downside for members making capital contributions is that they are not necessarily repayable. Most operating agreements for limited liability companies provide that members are not entitled to a return or repayment of their capital contributions, even when they leave the company. Loans If it is a loan, then the repayment of principal is tax free to the lender although interest paid on the loan is taxable. The company can also deduct interest paid on the loan, reducing the amount of profit that is passed through to the owners and taxed at their individual rates. For the member/lenders, they are entitled to be paid back and get a priority in the pecking order of payments that the company makes. In short, loans must be paid before members receive distributions. Document Capital Contributions and Loans Often, business associates feel as if they do not need to have everything in writing. This is particularly true if they have gone into business with friends or relatives. Not taking the steps to secure written financial details can have disastrous effects on the business as well as on the relationship between the partners. These usually happen when the business or the relationships between the parties breaks down. A recent business divorce case provides an excellent example of why it’s important to document member investments into the business. Two acquaintances formed a real estate development company in the form of a limited liability company (LLC). When the business failed, a lawsuit ensued over whether each partner had made a capital contribution – which would be a business asset – or a loan to the LLC – which would be payable as a business debt. Partner number one alleged that he made capital contributions totaling $523,000.00 while the business was operating. He also argued that the second member, who had not invested money into the company, owed a like amount to the company. If successful, this would have forded partner number two to contribute a like amount, that would be used to pay debts or at least reduce the debts paid from partner number one’s investment. The second member argued that he had no obligation to make any capital contributions because the operating agreement did not list any capital to be contributed by either member. The second member never signed an agreement obligating himself to make capital contributions to the company. Partner number two alleged that the funding provided by partner number one was in the form of loans, not capital contributions. The Court agreed with the second member, finding that the operating agreement was ambiguous as to whether initial capital contributions were required by each member of the LLC. At the end of the day, despite an arrangement where the first member thought he was responsible for only half of the business debt, the first member lost out on hundreds of thousands of dollars. Let that serve as a wake-up call: if your capital contributions and other important financial agreements are not well-documented, you are at risk. It is impossible to predict which business arrangements are destined to break down. Businesses co-owned by friends or relatives are just as likely to run into problems as any other business. The experienced business attorneys at Fiffik Law Group launch hundreds of businesses each year and have guided thousands of business owners in making smart decisions for their companies. We can help you too. Contact us today and get your business on the right track.

It’s not uncommon for landlords and tenants to run into issues over the course of a tenancy, and particularly at the end of a lease. The turn of the new year is one of the most common times for rental issues to arise. A tenant vacating a property sets in motion responsibilities and requirements for both parties and failing to fulfill those duties on the part of one party can cause recriminations from the other, and quite possibly lead to potential legal action. Faced with limited options, many simply sign the first lease that they can find, even if it is not in their best interest. With LegalShield, you could be better equipped the next time you are preparing to enter into a new agreement, whether you are the tenant, or, as a parent, the co-signer for your child’s apartment. Call our attorneys so that we can review your leases and give you critical advice before you sign. Here are five questions to ask the next time you are preparing to rent a new unit: 1. Is there a way out? Most lease agreements do not grant tenants the right to terminate their agreements early. In other words, if you decide that you do not like your place after moving in, you are stuck unless you pay off the remainder of the lease agreement. Be sure to look through the lease and see if there is a “re-let” or “early termination” clause that would allow you to change your mind. 2. Do you trust your roommate? It can be a difficult lesson to learn that a best friend is not the best roommate. Keep in mind that most leases assign “joint and several liability,” meaning each roommate is responsible for the entire amount of the lease. Therefore, if you come to an understanding with your roommate as to how rents and utilities will be split and something happens where one of those payments does not pay, each of you will still be on the hook for the entire amount, and not just your share. 3. Who is responsible for what? While some responsibilities are made apparent from the start, other provisions are in the lease. Who pays for things like lawn work, possible extermination or maintenance? While Pennsylvania law requires landlords to make rental units “habitable,” there is significant gray area. If you need work done, you do not want to be surprised to find that you are responsible to cover the cost. In addition, landlords can keep portions of your security deposit to cover any damages. Make sure to take pictures both when you move in and before you move out. You can also arrange for a walkthrough with the landlord before moving out to avoid deductions. 4. Does your lease automatically renew? When you sign your lease, you can easily pick out its length. However, almost every lease also explains what happens after it ends: it either rolls over into a new lease term or terminates entirely. If you are only planning to stay for one year, make sure to give the required notice to ensure that the lease does not automatically renew. If you miss this deadline, you could get stuck having to pay another year of rent when you no longer want to rent the space. 5. Are you sure that you can follow the house rules? You should familiarize yourself entirely with the landlord’s rules before you move in, and make sure you can plan to abide by them. Many landlords can waive the “Notice to Quit,” which is a posting indicating that you are being evicted. In other words, if the landlord has waived that Notice, and you are in default for non-payment or violating any other term of the lease, the first notice you could get is a letter from the local Magisterial District Judge indicating that you have a hearing to decide whether you will be evicted. Leases can be pages long and can be very difficult to comprehend. Before you sign your name as a tenant or co-signer, be sure to call your LegalShield provider for a complete review and consultation!

The holiday season is a great time to get together with family and friends. For most, this usually involves parties, good food, and some alcohol consumption. While you want your guests to have a good time, it’s also important to make sure they are being safe and responsible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 728 people will be injured or killed each day in drunk driving accidents between during the holiday season — two to three times higher than the rest of the year. If you’re hosting a party, be sure you don’t overlook these important tips to prevent drinking and driving and other safety precautions: Have a designated driver. It's one of the simplest rules to follow, but also one of the most effective in keeping people safe on the roads. Keep cab numbers on hand. If someone should not be driving and they insist on going home, call a cab for them instead of allowing them to take the risk of driving home. Offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. Provide fun “mocktails” and other non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers or those who don’t wish to consume alcohol. Provide plenty of food. Drinking on an empty stomach can cause a person to become intoxicated faster. Offering food can help guests drink in moderation and slow down the effects of alcohol. Plan some interactive activities. Busy guests drink less, so keep your guests busy with games that focus on fun conversation and good times for all. Stop serving alcohol altogether about 90 minutes before the party ends. Bars have last calls for a reason - only time sobers an individual who has been drinking. Offer coffee, tea, and a snack to let guests wind down before heading home. COVID Protocols Health risks associated with parties and events aren't new, but they're driven in large part by the new strains of the COVID-19 virus popping up everywhere. While mostly mild in nature, the risk of a breakthrough case is higher than ever, as CDC officials have previously indicated that the case counts in spring were largely underreported. Plus, other variants could pose a greater threat during the cold winter season. Holiday guidance issued by CDC officials stresses the need for vaccines and mask-wearing, especially for those who are unable to receive a shot due to their medical history — namely, young children and elderly individuals. Holiday events are still considered risky because they're multi-generational in nature and adding unvaccinated guests into the mix can complicate the issue, experts say. Per new guidance, those who are best suited to wear a well-fitted mask at indoor holiday events include: Younger children who may not be able to receive full vaccinations in time for the holiday season, despite recent federal clearance. Elderly guests who may be considered immunocompromised but unable to complete vaccination and those who face pre-existing conditions that put them at high risk for severe sickness. Those living in a town or city where local COVID-19 transmission is trending high, as asymptomatic spread (or those who are sick without any symptoms) is still a concern. Ultimately, the systems you put in place to counteract the spread of COVID-19 are your decision to make. Regardless of anyone’s vaccination status or mask-wearing preference, if you have symptoms of Covid or were recently exposed to someone who has it, you should skip the holiday party and get tested. It’s just not worth the risk. If you're involved in any sort of accident this holiday season, it is imperative you speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the incident. Keep that in mind as you navigate through any of the risks, and be prepared to contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today.

“Rocks” is a term used by the Entrepreneurial Operating System (“EOS”) to refer to priorities — the three to seven most important things you must accomplish in the next 90 days. Company Rocks are priorities for the company, departmental Rocks are priorities for your department, and individual Rocks are priorities for you or another individual. There is no magic formula for what constitutes a Rock — it’s simply a priority that will take longer than seven days and up to ninety days to complete. The fourth quarter is a great time to start looking ahead to 2022 but also look back on what you planned to get done in 2021 but haven’t yet accomplished. Here are some suggestions for your consideration. Do your year in review ASAP, rather than wait until December One benefit of doing an early review is that it gives you an opportunity to act on problems, rather than take them into the following year. Consistent issues with an employee, systems, and processes that aren’t working well, or a prospect list that hasn’t been well-nurtured are only a few examples of situations you can remedy now. Make a list of everything you have achieved (or survived!) in 2021 (so far) Entrepreneurs tend to brush their small successes under the carpet since there’s always something more to do. Seeing a list of the things you’ve achieved isn’t just a feel-good thing, it is inspiring and motivating. You’re probably not as far away from the finish line as you believe you are. Review your financials Entrepreneurs who follow their numbers are far more likely to succeed than those who avoid them. Your financial reports will tell you how you’re doing, and you may be able to make some adjustments prior to year-end if necessary. If you are not completely savvy about your financials, now’s a good time to schedule an appointment with your accountant or business consultant. And don’t be embarrassed to ask questions. In my experience, most small business owners need help in this area so you’re not alone. Budget for the New Year Once you’ve looked over your 2021 profits and loss statements, now is the time to start working on a budget for the new year. Look over bank statements, any plays that didn’t produce results, consider cutting back on items, and don’t forget to include a budget for re-investing into your business. Whether that is for marketing, purchasing items, or engaging in business consulting to grow and improve your business. Strategic Planning & Preparation for the New Year If you work with a team, whether internal or external (i.e. consultants, advisors, business coaches), now is the time to meet with them to discuss the future of your business. What are your “big bets” for 2022? What are the tactical plans that you need to accomplish to make your big bets come to fruition? Client and Vendor Appreciation 2021 has been an exceedingly difficult year. If your customers and vendors have stuck with you through these tough times, you’ll certainly want to show them some love. One way to show your clients and vendors appreciation is to send either holiday cards or small gifts. If you’re planning to send out gift items or holiday cards, try to purchase your items as early as possible to have them sent out in time for the holidays. Website & Social Media Audit Do a quick run-through of your website and social media sites. COVID has driven many of your customers home and they are online more than ever. Make it a priority to improve and expand your online presence. Check your existing sites to see if all of your links are working properly. Remove sales and promotions if you’re no longer running the campaigns, any irrelevant comments from the comments section of your blog, don’t forget to remove spam-like comments. Delete any services that you’re no longer offering. If you don’t have much of a social media presence, now is the time to get started and have a content plan for 2022. Contract Review Review contracts to understand contractual obligations with both your vendors and your customers. COVID brought about some unique circumstances.  It’s a good time to reevaluate your contacts to see if things need to be changed or renegotiated. The business attorneys at Fiffik Law Group are available to help business owners with a wide range of issues. Need advice about your business? Contact a member of our business team today. #smallbusinesstips #smallbusinessattorney #entrepreneur #smallbusinessadvice #smallbusiness

Digital Asset Planning – What You Need to Know We live so much of our lives today in a “digital world.” Many of our day-to-day activities are online. We communicate with family and friends, shop, pay bills and work online. No paper, just usernames, and passwords. You may have not thought about it but who can access your online accounts and how will they be managed in the event you become disabled or pass away? Who would even know what assets you have if you only work with them online and never get a paper statement? Having a digital estate plan is now not an option, but a must for everyone. Over 90 percent of Americans don't know what happens to their digital assets when they die, and over half of Baby Boomers with children don't have a will at all. What are Digital Assets? A digital asset can be a wide variety of electronic records and files that are stored online, on mobile devices, or on personal computers. Simply put, almost anything you keep a digital record of is considered a digital asset and something that should be noted in your digital Estate Plan. To clarify further, a digital asset can include any of the following: Email accounts Social media accounts Online bank, credit card, brokerage, retirement plan, credit, loan, insurance and other accounts you access to manage your money and pay your bills Online retailer accounts Online subscription-based accounts Ecommerce or marketplace accounts (i.e. Amazon, eBay, iTunes, etc.) Photos and video sharing sites like YouTube or photos saved on the cloud Cell phone apps Online dating or gaming accounts Online accounts for utilities Loyalty program benefits (i.e. frequent flyer miles, credit card perks, etc.) Any other personal information you store on your computer, cell phone, or tablet Why Should I Care about Digital Assets? What will happen to your social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) page when you're gone? How about the personal emails you've sent and received? Online photo albums? The files on your laptop? Your PayPal or Venmo accounts? How would your Executor know where you have accounts or how to access them to manage your Estate? Nowadays, our 'real' and digital experiences are so intertwined that it's important to plan for what happens to your online "paper trail." Making an inventory of and creating your digital estate plan (think of it as a Will for your digital assets) will relieve your family members and loved ones from the added stress that arises after a death. When your family can rely on a written plan that outlines the passwords for your digital assets as well as how those assets should be managed, they won’t have to worry about navigating a more extensive probate court process. Consider Appointing a Digital Executor If you have a Will, you’ve named an executor to follow the instructions in your Will about how you want your assets to be managed and distributed after you pass away. A digital executor is someone who can carry out your digital asset plan after you pass away. Your digital executor not only needs to be trustworthy, but also tech-savvy enough to be able to follow through with your instructions, so choose wisely. Think About Instructions for Your Digital Assets Your Will probably lays out the distribution of your financial assets, but what do you want to happen to your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram profiles? Consider leaving a letter of instruction or a “to-do” list to let your digital executor know, among other things, what they should do with your accounts. Include information such as: Should your digital executor deactivate your Facebook and other social media accounts when you die, or do you want them to set it up as a memorial page? Should your executor to send digital photos you’ve saved in the cloud or sharing site to family members? Do you want to give someone control of any unused iTunes credits you have? Do you want any personal videos uploaded to YouTube for friends and family to see (or taken off of YouTube so they don’t see them)? Do you want your personal emails deleted or retained and given to someone? By creating a digital Estate Plan, you are protecting your online assets from risks like identity theft, hacking, and fraud. You are also giving your family greater peace of mind (as well as access to important information like financial documents and insurance paperwork.) To learn more about estate planning options, or to talk about updating your existing estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Fiffik Law Group for a free, no-obligation consultation appointment. Or get started today by filling out our online Will Questionnaire.

In Pennsylvania all consumers have the ability to choose their electric energy supplier. You might be able to save money or perhaps choose a supplier that sources more “green” energy. If you don’t choose an energy supplier, you will default to the energy supplier in your geographic area. Here are some tips to help you be a smart shopper. Switching Suppliers Won’t Improve Unreliable Service When you choose a company, you are essentially choosing the company that generates your electricity. Since energy suppliers have no way to get electricity into your home, your public utility company will still be your provider because they own all the poles and wires. They will also continue to handle customer service issues and infrastructure upgrades. List of Pennsylvania Electric Suppliers Understand How Electricity Billing Works Your bill is made up of generation charges, transmission charges, distribution charges, customer charges and transition charges. Of these charges, generation charges makes up the majority of your electric bill. This is the charge being billed by the suppliers you choose and the commodity you are shopping for. Each local electric utility has a “price to compare.” The price to compare is the price charged by your local utility for the portion of your service that is open to competition. The price to compare is given in cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). There are basically three charges to your bill. Distribution Charges – Charge for use of local wires, transformers, substations and other equipment used to deliver electricity to households over high voltage transmission lines Transmission Charges – Charge for moving high voltage electricity from the generation plant to the distribution line of an electric distribution company. Generation Charge – Charge for the production of electricity. In addition to these charges, your utility company also bills for the following charges which are unrelated to delivery of energy: State Taxes – Charge or tax by the State of Pennsylvania Customer Charges – A monthly charge to cover cost of billing, meter reading and maintenance. The Pennsylvania Utility Commission allows you to insert your zip code and obtain a list of suppliers and their competitive prices in your area. The list also includes a breakdown of which companies provide green options. 3 Rate Structures You Can Choose From Now, here’s where things can get tricky. The following are pricing options that affect kWh costs. They’re considered standard in the industry. Fixed: This is a locked-in unit price for kWh throughout the term of a contract. If energy prices increase during your contract, your unit price won’t be affected. But if prices drop below the unit price, you’ll end up overpaying. Floating: Also known as a variable rate, this allows a homeowner’s unit cost to rise or fall based on the wholesale value of electricity. Although this may sound like a great deal when prices are low, if the market becomes unpredictable or if prices sky rocket, it can be difficult to manage your home’s energy costs. Hybrid: This is when a percentage of energy use is billed at the fixed rate and the remainder is billed at the floating rate. In this case balance is everything. You could end up with a whopping energy bill if the floating rate goes up and it’s applied to a large percentage of your bill. Contract Summary for Electric Suppliers 7 Questions to Ask Electricity Suppliers Does the price per kWh include sales tax? The prices on the PUC site include the gross sales tax, but if you call companies asking for their price to compare make sure to inquire as to whether or not the quoted price includes the gross sales tax. Is price per kWh a fixed or variable price? Is there a monthly service charge or any other fees? Is there a contract and if so, will the price change once the contract is up? Am I getting a special one-time deal? If so, how long does it last and what happens to the price when it’s over? A number of suppliers offer an introductory rate whose price to compare (PTC) is generally lower than the price at the beginning of the next term. Are there any other discounts and promotions I should know about like referral programs? Is there a fee if I decide to cancel the contract before it expires? Final Words of Wisdom Avoid automatic renewal. You don’t want your contract to renew automatically without your permission. Prior to your contract expiring, you should receive two contract renewal notices from your current supplier. The initial renewal notice should arrive 45-60 days prior to your contract’s expiration date. Additionally, the supplier should provide you with an options notice, which includes certain information including the specific changes to the terms of service being proposed; information on new prices; an explanation of your options and how to exercise those options; the date by which you must exercise one of the options; and the electric distribution company’s price to compare. The options notice should be sent to you no later than 30 days prior to the contract’s expiration date. Read these notices. If you choose to take no action with your renewal and options notices, your rate may change. For example, a fixed rate may change to a monthly variable rate. If you have a variable rate, once the term expires, you may be moved to a different variable rate that could be higher. Ask for Help if You Need it. There are resources available to help you interpret utility supplier contracts and their jargon before you sign to something you may be unfamiliar with. The knowledgeable lawyers at Fiffik Law Group are ready to assist you in your contract needs. Contact them today with any questions you have or to go over your own contracts or agreements. #alternateenergysuppliers #switchingutilitysupplier #alternateenergysupply #utilitychoice #electricshopping #shoppingelectricity #shoppingelectricpennsylvania #compareutilityprices #compareutilityrates #lowerelectricbill #pennsylvaniaelectricsuppliers #pennsylvaniaelectricsupply #pennsylvaniaelectricsupplieres