On Monday the New York Times posted this interesting article about the long-term impact of longer prison terms over the course of a generation.

Unmarried Equality

The "Alternatives to Marriage" Project has changed its name to "Unmarried Equality". A substantial part of my practice involves supporting unmarried persons obtain legal rights and obligations which are intentionally similar to the rights and obligations which come from the secular recognition of marriage. Individuals in all possible combinations, who can not or choose not to marry, can use durable powers of attorney, trusts, and partnership agreements to accomplish this. Allowing same-sex marriage in Massachusetts is only one (albeit substantial) part of unmarried equality. I encourage you to look at Unmarried Equalities web site and consider their thoughts and how they might apply to you and the people you care about. They are not seeking to reduce the value of marriage in society; they strive to have society recognize that unmarried people should be able have the same rights and responsibilities as those who have chosen to enter into marriage.

Unmarried Equality

Office closure for Friday, February 8, 2013

While it is unclear whether the building will be open tomorrow, I will not be in the office or traveling from home on Friday; between recovery from a back injury and the blizzard, discretion is the better part of valor.

Access via email and text may be limited depending the viability of power and broadband from my home office.

Best wishes to all, stay home, and enjoy the snow.

--Stephen Karpf

Blizzard warning for Friday, February 8, 2013

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration folks currently are saying the below as of the date and time of this posting.  

Clients with appointments on Friday should be sure at the end of the business day on Thursday to check their cellphones and (for the old-fashioned) answering machines for possible cancellations.

Be safe.

--Stephen Karpf

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
319 PM EST WED FEB 6 2013

...A POTENTIAL HISTORIC WINTER STORM AND BLIZZARD IS EXPECTED TO
DROP 1 TO 2 FEET OF SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION FRIDAY INTO
SATURDAY...

...BLIZZARD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IS CANCELLED...

* LOCATIONS...MUCH OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS AS WELL AS NORTHERN AND
  CENTRAL RHODE ISLAND. THIS INCLUDES THE BOSTON TO PROVIDENCE
  CORRIDOR.

* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD
  CONDITIONS.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 12 TO 24 INCHES.

* TIMING...LIGHT SNOW DEVELOPS BY FRIDAY MORNING. SNOW WILL
  INCREASE INTENSITY DURING FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
  WILL OCCUR FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL
  FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. THE WORST OF THE STORM WILL BE FRIDAY
  NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES PER
  HOUR POSSIBLE. TRAVEL MAY BECOME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE WITH BLOWING
  AND DRIFTING SNOW.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 20S.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT
GUSTS OVER 35 MPH AND VISIBILITIES BELOW 1/4 MILE FOR AT LEAST
3 HOURS. WHITE OUT CONDITIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE...MAKING TRAVEL
VERY DANGEROUS.  BE PREPARED TO ALTER ANY TRAVEL PLANS.

Office closure

While the office will be open to receive service, mail, etc., I will not be available today for meetings due to illness.  I have contacted those of you with scheduled appointments.