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Shirley Anderson of British Columbia abandoned her three children 30 years ago. Now she’s suing them for parental support. Under Canada’s little-used Family Relations Act, adult children must provide parental support in instances of old age, illness, and economic hardship. She wants $750 a month per child. Would this ever happen in the United States? Parental support laws do exist in the U.S. Also known as filial responsibility laws, they are on the books in about half of the states....

In New York City, the new legal age for buying tobacco products will soon be 21. NYC’s City Council adopted the bill Wednesday. It will take effect six months after Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signs it into law. The tobacco industry and retailers that sell tobacco products – including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos – lost this fight. But they won one significant concession. Though New York City residents under 21 can drive, vote and fight in wars, the Bloomberg administration successfully argued that raising the age to buy cigarettes will help prevent people from becoming addicted in the first place....

The New York cop that shot and killed DJ Henry has not been indicted, but that doesn’t mean that the matter is over. Danroy Henry Jr., was a popular football player and student at Pace University. The family is suing the Town of Mount Pleasant and Village of Pleasantville, N.Y. for $120 million. “There are no words to express our disappointment in the grand jury’s decision,’’ Henry’s father, Danroy Henry Sr....

Considering our holiday shopping lists, this might be the busiest time of year for parking lots. And considering the weather, the amount of traffic, and the opportunism of criminals, this might also be when parking lots are at their most dangerous. Here’s a look at the legal liability for parking lots and stores for slip-and-fall injuries, car accidents, and criminal activity: The legal principle of premises liability means that property owners have a duty to maintain their property, and are therefore responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property....

We recently covered Judith Griggs of Cook’s Source magazine, who lifted a recipe and blog post from college student Monica Gaudio entitled “A Tale of Two Tarts.” In the piece, we noted that Griggs listed Gaudio as the author, but made no effort to contact her or license the content. Griggs believed she was perfectly within her rights because the recipe was “in the public domain.” So what is the public domain, and when can you lift content?...

Where are you traveling to this summer? By car, by train, by bus, and by plane, many of us will go on the open road to visit far away friends and families or see new places. So, here is a round-up of our best travel posts to help protect your rights during your summer wanderings: Air Travel Airplane travel can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. 5 Things Holiday Air Travelers Should Know – Sometimes, it can feel like you’re at the mercy of the airline’s ineptitude and capricious whims....

What price should the police have to pay when unnecessary force causes a man to lapse into a coma? The family of a Seattle man who had his head slammed into a wall wants $25 million. Testimony began last week in the Seattle police takedown trial brought by the family of Christopher Harris. Harris, 31, was running from a King County sheriff’s deputy when an officer cracked his head against a wall....

Every divorce is different. Some separations are quaintly referred to as a “conscious uncoupling.” Others are wars. There is no one-size-fits-all divorce, unfortunately, as every marriage is unique. Some couples can calmly talk about their issues, even if it means divorcing. Some spouses may not feel safe in the same room as their soon-to-be exes. So how do you know when you should talk to your spouse during a divorce, and when it’s best to maintain radio silence?...

There’s a growing online community engaged in small business bartering. Entrepreneurs strapped for cash and lacking capital can trade goods and services, propping up their businesses without exchanging funds. The community separates itself into barter exchanges, which are usually for-profit businesses. “Barter dollars” are earned when a trader provides a good or service. Those dollars can then be used to purchase a commodity from another trader. This system could be great for some businesses, but is it right for you?...

With the Internet age upon us and remote interviews quickly becoming an e-cornerstone, every employer stands to gain something from a few Skype interview tips. Here are five tips (that don’t involve hidden Skype Emojis) to help you navigate a video job interview – and keep things legal – in the digital age: No matter what service you’re using for your video interview, it’s always a good idea to do a test-run first....

Excitement mounted last summer when Starbucks announced Bakkt, a cryptocurrency venture with Microsoft and Intercontinental Exchange. Frappuccino fans were frothing that they may finally be allowed to buy their coffee with Bitcoin. Sadly, that was not the case. “It is important to clarify that we are not accepting digital assets at Starbucks. Rather the exchange will convert digital assets like Bitcoin into US dollars, which can be used at Starbucks,” a Starbucks spokesperson clarified to Motherboard....

Ah, the sound of success. The barter took place, the exchange was triumphant, and your business was able to save crucial funds through a bartered-for exchange. And you suddenly find yourself recommending bartering to everyone you meet, small business owners and civilians alike. Amid the clinking glasses and celebratory toasts…just don’t forget about Uncle Sam. Even though many barter exchanges do not involve cash, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) still requires an accounting of the exchange....

Have you ever wondered why steps on a ladder are printed with instructions like, “step here” or “don’t step here?” Could it be due to lawsuits like this one? A woman in Michigan has received permission from that state’s supreme court to take her case of personal injury to a jury. Her hand was broken by something we don’t ordinary worry about (until now, anyway): a toilet paper dispenser. Sheri Schooley’s case went all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court as the defendant tried repeatedly to dismiss it, writes the Associated Press....

The United States Chess Federation was recently sued by a group of angry parents who alleged the organization was discriminating against their children. No, this had nothing to do with the white pieces always going first, but rather, the parents allege discrimination for their children being homeschooled. While homeschooling does not necessarily entitle a person to protection from discrimination, if there is a religious reason behind the decision to homeschool, that could amount to religious discrimination....

It’s creepy to find out that a bathroom you used had a camera in it. And, if you did find out that there were recordings, you’d want people held responsible for this invasion. Well, that’s how a number of women felt after finding out that a bathroom they had visited contained a spy cam. Although their claims were initially dismissed, a New Jersey appeals court revived their claims when it ruled that the women aren’t required to identify themselves in the footage to prove their case....

Though the fourth smallest state by size, New Jersey is the most densely populated state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This is due in no small part to the state’s proximity to New York City, Philadelphia, and several other major U.S. metropolitan areas. But whether you count yourself as a lifelong New Jerseyan, are just visiting, or are passing through from one of New Jersey’s neighboring states, you should familiarize yourself with the nuances of New Jersey state law....

Starbucks is making headlines this week, but it’s got nothing to do with its coffee. The company has announced that it will be providing a new benefit to its 135,000 U.S. employees: subsidized or in some cases free college tuition to Arizona State University’s online program. What should small business owners know about Starbucks’ new perk, called the College Achievement Plan? Here are three important facts: If you’re thinking about providing educational assistance to your employees, consulting an experienced tax lawyer can help you learn more about your options....

You try not to worry too much about crime. After all, positive thinking proponents suggest that whatever you worry about manifests. Still, you need to put some processes in place to protect your business from crime. Here are some tips on simple systems, inspired by a Startup Donut list, that you can implement to make your business safe, inside and out. With these in place, you’ll have more time to focus on good things, like growth....

Don’t dump your clients’ financial records in a public dumpster, or your former clients might become identity theft victims. Or worse, you might get cited by the Federal Trade Commission. That’s the lesson learned in the mortgage industry. A mortgage broker recently settled a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and was forced to pay a civil penalty of $35,000. The mortgage broker allegedly failed to accurately dispose of personal financial records of his clients....

You share the American Dream and want to own a home but your savings are minimal and your credit is ailing after years of economic insecurity. There is a dream deferred option – it’s called rent-to-own and it allows people to work towards home ownership gradually. Renting to own is a little like moving in together or having a long engagement before marriage. It’s a commitment but gradual. While state laws vary and individual contracts will have their own conditions, let’s look at how rent-to-own agreements generally work....