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Church Law & Tax Report

July/August 2017
Articles with a Member Access Only are available only to members.

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Feature Article

Is Your Church Breaking Public Accommodations Laws?

Is Your Church Breaking Public Accommodations Laws? Member access only

To answer this question, churches must be well-versed in federal, state, and local laws.
Richard R. Hammar

Articles

Recent Developments

Issues that affect ministers and churches, with Richard R. Hammar
California
Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Provisions in Decedent’s Will Could Be Reformed by Recourse Based on Religious Charities’ Extrinsic Evidence Member access only

New York
Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Restrictive Provision in Churches’ Charitable Trust Can Be Expanded to Allow Additional Investments  Member access only

Illinois
Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Judge’s Severe Comments During Youth Pastor’s Trial Ruled Insufficient Grounds to Reverse Conviction Member access only

New York
Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities

Student Successfully Appeals Lawsuit Against Synagogue for Injuries Sustained During Study Abroad Program Member access only

Minnesota
Members - Discipline

Court Rules First Amendment Bars Its Involvement in Defamation Claim Against Couple’s Former Pastor and Church Member access only

Ohio
Insurance

Court Rules Church’s Insurance Policy Exclusion Precludes Coverage for Church in Negligence Lawsuit Member access only

Ohio

Trial Court’s Order Banning Man Guilty of Food Stamp Fraud from Food Pantries Ruled Unlawful  Member access only

Pennsylvania
Clergy - Discipline and Removal

Pastor’s Breach of Contract Lawsuit Against Board Members Dismissed by Court Member access only

North Carolina
Clergy - Discipline and Removal

Court Willing to Resolve Pastor’s Lawsuit Against Church for Compensation Dispute Member access only

Maryland
Clergy - Discipline and Removal

‘Ministerial Exception’ Prevents Court from Resolving Dismissed Minister’s Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Member access only

New Jersey
Arbitration

Mosque Members’ Lawsuit Concerning Financial Improprieties Must Be Resolved By Binding Arbitration Due to Mosque Bylaws’ Arbitration Clause Member access only

Q&A

Do Donor Envelopes Substantiate Contributions?

Do Donor Envelopes Substantiate Contributions? Member access only

Richard R. Hammar

Resources

Protecting Your Church from Crime and Violence
Protecting Your Church from Crime and Violence  Member access only
Assess the security of your church and learn how to prevent crime.
Unrelated Business Income — The General Rules
Unrelated Business Income — The General Rules Member access only
How unrelated business income, and the possible taxes owed from it, works for churches.
More Resources
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