By Lane V. Erickson There are many kinds of trust that can be used when completing an estate plan. These trusts can be Specifically designed to protect land, eliminate taxes, Provide some Assurance for finances into the future, for An individual who has a disability or special needs, or It…
Idaho Law Blog
Important Changes to Homeowner’s Association (HOA) Law
By: T.J. Budge The Idaho Legislature recently made two important changes in Idaho law affecting homeowner’s associations (HOAs). The changes came by way of amendments to Idaho Code § 55-115. Subsections (3) and (4) were added during the 2016 Legislative Session and took effect on July 1, 2016. Subsection (3)…
Motorists Can Access 511 for Traveler Information During Winter Driving Conditions
When driving in winter road conditions, 511 is a public service of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) which was designated in July 2000 by the Federal Trade Commission (FCC) to provide travelers with information about road conditions and weather via phone, the Web or by smartphone. ITD field crews provide…
Using a Team to Complete Your Estate Planning
By Lane Erickson, Attorney Estate planning is like people. There are really no to estate plans that are exactly alike. The reason for this is because each individual has unique needs and goals when creating their estate plan. Because of this when I am helping an individual complete their estate…
Estate Planning and Trustees
By Lane V. Erickson, Attorney The basic estate planning questionnaire that we provide to our clients ask questions that will allow us to determine whether they might need to use a trust in their estate planning. Not all Estates need to have a trust created. However, there are many reasons…
Spinal Impairment Ratings under the Sixth Edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment
By Fred J. Lewis We have now had some time to reflect on the adoption of the Sixth Edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. There were criticisms to the Fifth Edition in that it awarded too much impairment that was actually disability. One of the…
No Need for Magic Words
By Fred J. Lewis In Green v. Industrial Special Indemnity Fund (Second Injury Fund), the Claimant was a sawyer who was struck by a falling tree. The Second Injury Fund appealed from the Idaho Industrial Commission’s determination that Green was totally and permanently disabled and that his disability was due…
Legal Descriptions in Deeds Must Exactly Identify Sold Property
By Joseph G. Ballstaedt A few days ago, the Idaho Supreme Court issued a decision that reaffirms an Idaho rule concerning property descriptions. The Court held that a conveyance deed is not enforceable unless the property description in the deed describes the property so that it is possible for someone…
The Time of Hearing Decides the Labor Market
By Fred J. Lewis On March 7, 2012, the Idaho Supreme Court decided the case of Brown v. The Home Depot. In this case the claimant had slipped on the snow covered steps while working for Home Depot and hurt his back. This Idaho Workers’ Compensation claimant had significant preexisting…
Employment Laws that Protect Veterans and Members of the Military
By Lane V. Erickson, Attorney Federal law has made an effort to protect those who serve in our Armed Forces. Particularly, federal law concerning the employment of members of the military provides protections above those normally given to regular employees. According to the Federal Department of Labor: The employment rights…