Former Washington Post staff writer and current contributor. Extensive experience covering legal issues, B2B, real estate, personal finance, health, and more.
A parent dies, leaving you the house. Now what?
Dealing with the death of a parent is challenging, but selling their home can be fraught with land mines, particularly if they die without a will. The task can be a difficult and long process — or relatively quick and painless. Much depends on the heirs’ ability to ask for help and hiring a professional who knows the local housing market.
Dutch doctor’s abortion-drug prescription service faces legal landmines
With access to abortion in the U.S. becoming more difficult, a Dutch doctor last year began offering her service to American women, launching a website called Aid Access. It provides prescriptions, not pills, which are sent through an independent pharmacy.
States are passing laws that give judges a longer leash in divorce custody proceedings
Navigating emotionally draining divorce cases is never easy, but in California, judges will now have more leeway to determine who gets the family pet. California is the third state to adopt a law that allows judges to consider what’s in the best interests of the animal rather than treating the pet like other inanimate property, such as a car.
Clad in pink and vowing to vote, activists around the globe flood streets for Women's March
Before the sun rose over a Washington gripped by gridlock, pink hats and poster-board signs already were emerging around the world for the second iteration of the Women’s March.
Transit Issues and the N.J. Real Estate Market
As commuters slog through a summer of what N.J. Transit promised would be more delays and cancellations, it’s hard to ignore the impact problems with the beleaguered transportation system may be having on home sales.
The champion
Travis Tygart is on a mission to clean up the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. His work helped get Russia barred from the 2018 Winter Olympics, exposed schemes to pump athletes with steroids and revealed the drugs that brought Lance Armstrong down.
Coming Up Dry
The lawn? Gone. The sprinkler? Saved. The rules? Relaxed. Community associations (also known as HOAs) reorient to a severe and widespread drought out West.
September/October 2021
A tremendous outpouring of support continues for those impacted by the devastating Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, Fla.
Tech start-ups look to disrupt the affordable housing industry
The U.S. is in the grips of an affordable housing crisis. Until recently, tech companies ignored the housing market. Today, a growing number of property tech ("proptech") startups are working to make buying and renting more affordable.
Chief Rule Breaker
Profile of David Gardner, co-founder of The Motley Fool. The website educates the masses with unconventional wisdom and an accessible, upbeat sense of humor.
Why Brand Guru Daymond John's Work is Never Done
This "Shark Tank" star has evolved from a fashion guru to a celebrity and sought-after speaker. His ascent and challenges provide a lesson in qualities that make a successful entrepreneur.
Brand advice from Shark Tank's Daymond John
Behind the scenes video shoot for my SmartCEO cover story on Shark Tank's Daymond John.
Penn State’s Organizational Flaws Make for Perfect Storm
High-ranking Penn State officials never consulted HR when they learned about Sandusky's crime but HR wasn’t entirely without blame. A scathing report faults Penn State’s HR function for not being centralized and for relaxing rules and procedures.
Up Front: Worth Noting
Never a town to pass up a trend, Montclair, N.J. was host to what was billed a Divorce and Healing Ceremony. Such events seem to be growing in popularity across the U.S.
COVID-19 update
While the spring market got off to a slow start because of COVID-19, some Realtors are seeing what many predicted; a rush of buyers leaving New York City and other virus hotspots. Tight inventory is driving prices up and sparking bidding wars in some areas.