GayRealEstate USA

Survivor Rights Just One Benefit Maine Married Gays May Get Under New Law

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Legalities

According to an article published this month in the Kennebec Journal, gay couples in Maine could possibly be awarded some 300 benefits that heterosexual married couples receive, if the state passes a new same-sex marriage law.

For married gay couples in Maine, this means that issues such as survivor rights after a spouse passes away, and health insurance will become simplified. And, this will mean that the state will not be able tax the surviving spouses real estate assets, or place undue financial burden on the surviving spouse.

However, the downfall in this law is that it is only at a state level, and will not affect Federal law. Thus, many gay marriage and rights supporters feel that many couples will still suffer financial burden because of their sexual orientation under Federal law.

Mary Bonauto, lawyer at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, is the lead attorney in the case, and will take the issue to the U.S Supreme Court should congress not modify the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

Article Source: Turkel, Tex (2009) Married Gays to Gain Hundreds of Benefits; available online at www.kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com

Image Source: www.politics.mync.com and www.propeller.com

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MERADA Seminar on Environmental Due Diligence For Home Buyers and Sellers

By Jeff Adolph

Understanding Real Estate Legal Obligations

On Wednesday the 12th of November --between 7.30 and 9 am -- the Maine Real Estate Development Association (MERADA) is hosting a breakfast seminar on environmental legal liabilities for home buyers and sellers.

The conference will be held at the Sea Dog Banquet and Conference Center, 26 Front Street, Bangor, ME.

 

Kenneth F. Gray of Peirce Atwood

The seminar will focus on how environmental legal liabilities are enforced by the government and what your responsibilites are as a home buyer and seller.

LLP will make home buyers and sellers aware of their legal liabilities and and also give them pointers on how to limit these.

The seminar will focus on how environmental legal liabilities are enforced by the government and what exactly your responsibilities are as a home buyer and seller. Questions to be answered include: Why environmental due diligence?; How much diligence is due?; How not to do a transaction; and What are the recent VRAP changes?

Registration costs $25 per person for MERADA members, and $35 per person for non-members, who register before the 7th of November. Registration after this date will cost an extra $10 fro MEREDA members and non-members.

For more information or to register please contact Shelley Clark on (207) 874-0801 and www.merada.org, or send an e-mail to info@mereda.org.

Source: MaineBusiness.com (2008) Maine RE and Development Association (MEREDA) Hosts Bangor-Area Breakfast Seminar Focused on Environmental Due Diligence for Buyers and Sellers; available online at www.mainebusiness.org

Picture Source: www.merada.com

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By Jeff Adolph

Understanding Real Estate Legal Obligations

On Wednesday the 12th of November --between 7.30 and 9 am -- the Maine Real Estate Development Association (MERADA) is hosting a breakfast seminar on environmental legal liabilities for home buyers and sellers.

The conference will be held at the Sea Dog Banquet and Conference Center, 26 Front Street, Bangor, ME.

 

Kenneth F. Gray of Peirce Atwood

The seminar will focus on how environmental legal liabilities are enforced by the government and what your responsibilites are as a home buyer and seller.

LLP will make home buyers and sellers aware of their legal liabilities and and also give them pointers on how to limit these.

The seminar will focus on how environmental legal liabilities are enforced by the government and what your responsibilites are as a home buyer and seller.

The seminar will focus on how environmental legal liabilities are enforced by the government and what exactly your responsibilities are as a home buyer and seller. Questions to be answered include: Why environmental due diligence?; How much diligence is due?; How not to do a transaction; and What are the recent VRAP changes?

Registration costs $25 per person for MERADA members, and $35 per person for non-members, who register before the 7th of November. Registration after this date will cost an extra $10 fro MEREDA members and non-members.

For more information or to register please contact Shelley Clark on (207) 874-0801 and www.merada.org, or send an e-mail to info@mereda.org.

Source: MaineBusiness.com (2008) Maine RE and Development Association (MEREDA) Hosts Bangor-Area Breakfast Seminar Focused on Environmental Due Diligence for Buyers and Sellers; available online at www.mainebusiness.org

Picture Source: www.merada.com

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LGBT Zipcodes -- Realty Prices -- Maine

By Jeff Adolph

Home Price Rises

Residential home prices according to Maine Realtors have moved into line with the states average, indicating that the market is becoming more streamlined.

Maine, one of GayRealEstate USA's gayest zip-codes recorded a median home price of US$178,200 in April of this year.

Lou Demers, a local Realtor said, "I would agree that the market is in a process of correcting itself here in Maine." Demers added, "My feeling is the real estate market moves on a collective mentality."

Senior research analyst for the Maine Housing Authority, Bob King said the states number are "more in magnitude of a correction, rather than huge drops like have been seen in California and other places. It hasn't been statewide."

The strongest locations in the state are estimated to be southern Maine and the Lewiston-Auburn area.

Main Story Source: Wickenheiser, Matt (2008) Housing Bubble; available online at www.kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com

Picture Source: Microsoft Clipart Online

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Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Maine

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Maine is situated in the New England region of the United States to the northwest of the nation. This areas population is approximately 1,274,932 people and it is ranked as the 40th largest state in America.

Agricultural outputs such as potatoes, maple sugar and syrup as well as poultry, commercial fishing, leather products, textiles, bio-technology, and Naval shipbuilding constitute this states economy.

Maine has four income tax brackets ranging from 2-8.5%. Sales tax is set at 5% and property tax is assessed at a local level by a county assessor. Eligible Maine residents may receive a homestead exemption of up to $13,000 depending on their circumstances.

Maine

Prices remain stable in this area of the nation with an overall trend increase of 4%. The average number of days on the market has fallen minimally compared to the same time last year. Medians hover around the 300K mark with prices dropping in coastal locations.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are some 3,394 same-sex couples residing in this state, making it the 38th gayest state in the U.S.A. The gayest zip codes in this area are 04101,04102,04103 and 04106 Portland; 04401 Bangor; 04240 Lewiston; and 04210 Auburn. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: wikipedia.org

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Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

In a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic  nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

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Watson Jr's Muti-Million-Dollar Trust Dispute

By Jeff Adolph

Estate Legalities

The late chairman of IBM, Thomas J. Watson, Jr. who passed away some years ago would be turning in his final resting place right at this moment as his grandchildren, the rightful heirs to his estate, battle with the former lesbian partner of his grandchild Olive Watson.

The dilemma, not unlike the Tinney incident that I reported on late last year, has come about because Olive Watson who loved her partner Patricia Spado saw no alternative but to adopt her to make their union legal, this came after the couple had co-habited for some ten years.

As Arthur Leonard of the Gay City News reported, 'the couple shared joint bank accounts, held real estate together and exchanged durable powers of attorney and Watson named Spado as the sole beneficiary of her will. Their primary place of residence was in New York, but Watson owned several homes, including a summer place in Maine.'

The biggest problem with same-sex couples using adoption to create legal partnerships is that other states have different rules that govern such unions, also it makes divorce impossible should the union turn sour and the partners wish to dissolve all ties. For example:- New York - same-sex  couples can not use adoption to create legal ties as adoption is meant to create a parent-child relationship. Connecticut - a younger person can not adopt an older person. Olive Watson was 1 year younger when she adopted Patricia Spado.

Watson and Spado went their separate ways in 1992, and when Olive Watson, Sr wife of Thomas J. Watson, Jr and grand-mother to Olive Watson passed away, Spado stepped forth to claim her share of the Watson estate.

This has lead to an uproar and legal objection by the blood grandchildren of the Watson's one that may rage for some time, in three different courts, Maine, New York and Conneticut.

Thomas J. Watson, Sr. pictured above had foresight even back then...

Source: Leonard, A.S (2007) Maine High Stakes Adoption Dispute: available online at http://www.gaycitynews.com

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© 2007 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

By Jeff Adolph

Estate Legalities

The late chairman of IBM, Thomas J. Watson, Jr. who passed away some years ago would be turning in his final resting place right at this moment as his grandchildren, the rightful heirs to his estate, battle with the former lesbian partner of his grandchild Olive Watson.

The dilemma, not unlike the Tinney incident that I reported on late last year, has come about because Olive Watson who loved her partner Patricia Spado saw no alternative but to adopt her to make their union legal, this came after the couple had co-habited for some ten years.

As Arthur Leonard of the Gay City News reported, 'the couple shared joint bank accounts, held real estate together and exchanged durable powers of attorney and Watson named Spado as the sole beneficiary of her will. Their primary place of residence was in New York, but Watson owned several homes, including a summer place in Maine.'

The biggest problem with same-sex couples using adoption to create legal partnerships is that other states have different rules that govern such unions, also it makes divorce impossible should the union turn sour and the partners wish to dissolve all ties. For example:- New York - same-sex  couples can not use adoption to create legal ties as adoption is meant to create a parent-child relationship. Connecticut - a younger person can not adopt an older person. Olive Watson was 1 year younger when she adopted Patricia Spado.

Watson and Spado went their separate ways in 1992, and when Olive Watson, Sr wife of Thomas J. Watson, Jr and grand-mother to Olive Watson passed away, Spado stepped forth to claim her share of the Watson estate.

This has lead to an uproar and legal objection by the blood grandchildren of the Watson's one that may rage for some time, in three different courts, Maine, New York and Conneticut.

Thomas J. Watson, Sr. pictured above had foresight even back then...

Source: Leonard, A.S (2007) Maine High Stakes Adoption Dispute: available online at http://www.gaycitynews.com

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Gay Financial and Estate Planning Seminar a Huge Success!

By Jeff Adolph

Financial Concerns

Arrows Restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine recently hosted a financial planning seminar primarily for same-sex couples, which focused on the financial issues Gay's and Lesbian's face. The seminar hosted by the Private Bank of America in Portland was a huge success with many couples singing nothing but praise for the Banks initiatives and lack of marketing tactics.

Initially, many couples were cynical that the bank may be using the seminar as a way to gather additional customers, though as Scott Osgood, an attendee who went to the event with his partner Bruce Senecal, said of the seminar, 'there is nothing like this that I know of, certainly not by a bank. The presenters didn't mention the bank at all. The only mention came from someone who clearly already a customer.'

Carol S. Taylor, Senior Vice President of the Bank, saw a need for such an event because of the LGBT population in Maine. As she stated, 'there's a need. My intent was to create awareness of the unique problem's they would encounter as unmarried couples...' She also added that the bank was very supportive of her idea and that she is hoping to make this a regular event based on its success.

More than 30 people attended and all felt they had gained considerable knowledge in relation to their specific needs and requirements, in terms of financial and estate concerns.

John Caravetta, another attendee said the event was, 'great. I learned a lot. This is something we've been working on for many years. We got some new insight into how to deal with an estate like our.'

The presentations panel consisted of Attorney's Susan Hunter and Lynne Pantalena and CPA Leo LePlante who covered contractual agreements, estate planning, as well as taxation issues.

With any luck, this will hopefully become a bigger event in the coming years, and who knows may be other banks will also see the viability in such seminars and start a national trend.

Source: Kanak, J (2006) Bank Seminar Aims to Provide Assistance: available online at http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/yorkstar/12072006/mainnews_a_bank1207.html--------------------------------------------------

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Arrows Restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine recently hosted a financial planning seminar primarily for same-sex couples, which focused on the financial issues Gay's and Lesbian's face. The seminar hosted by the Private Bank of America in Portland was a huge success with many couples singing nothing but praise for the Banks initiatives and lack of marketing tactics.

Initially, many couples were cynical that the bank may be using the seminar as a way to gather additional customers, though as Scott Osgood, an attendee who went to the event with his partner Bruce Senecal, said of the seminar, 'there is nothing like this that I know of, certainly not by a bank. The presenters didn't mention the bank at all. The only mention came from someone who clearly already a customer.'

Carol S. Taylor, Senior Vice President of the Bank, saw a need for such an event because of the LGBT population in Maine. As she stated, 'there's a need. My intent was to create awareness of the unique problem's they would encounter as unmarried couples...' She also added that the bank was very supportive of her idea and that she is hoping to make this a regular event based on its success.

More than 30 people attended and all felt they had gained considerable knowledge in relation to their specific needs and requirements, in terms of financial and estate concerns.

John Caravetta, another attendee said the event was, 'great. I learned a lot. This is something we've been working on for many years. We got some new insight into how to deal with an estate like our.'

The presentations panel consisted of Attorney's Susan Hunter and Lynne Pantalena and CPA Leo LePlante who covered contractual agreements, estate planning, as well as taxation issues.

With any luck, this will hopefully become a bigger event in the coming years, and who knows may be other banks will also see the viability in such seminars and start a national trend.

Source: Kanak, J (2006) Bank Seminar Aims to Provide Assistance: available online at http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/yorkstar/12072006/mainnews_a_bank1207.html--------------------------------------------------

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As a Tenant What's Your Rights?

By Jeff Adolph

Tenants and Landlords

Imagine your suprise and geniune embarrasment, deciding to have a relaxing shower in the afternoon in the unit that you rent, only to be rudely interupted mid lather by your landlord's real estate agent who is showing prospective buyers around your apartment.

A simple misunderstanding or not?

The agent thought you would not be home so they did not fell they had to notify you before they visited. Well they were wrong...

And, this is no extreme case, as Green Party representative, John Elder explains, 'this actually happened to a West End tenant, and violations of tenants rights are all too common.

Incidences from lack of notice, harrassing phone calls and visitations without warning are reported to the Portland tenant union frequently.

As Heather Curtis, president of the union stated, 'what you are doing is renting that to be your personal space and thats what the rules regard.'

Maine law prevents any landlord or person representing them from entering your home without at least 24-hours notice and requires them to enter at a time deemed reasonable by the tenant.

However, it seems that many tenants and landlords are not fully aware of the laws and unfortunately many incidences end in disputes that could have been prevented by understanding your rights.

If you are an unsure tenant and live in Portland visit www.portlandtenants.org for some helpful advice that will hopefully rectify any problems you may have.

Source: Rigazio, A (2006) Housing Rights: available online at http://www.thephoenix.com

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