| Read Time: 2 minutes | Wills

Protect Your Legacy With Three Essential Estate Planning Tools

An estate consists of the personal or real property, possessions, and financial holdings that a person has accumulated during his or her lifetime. Estates do not apply only to the wealthy. One’s estate simply consists of the personal property owned by that individual, regardless of the amount of property. An estate can consist of a modest home and vehicle,...

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Elder Law

Primary Goals of Small Business Tax Planning

As any experienced small business owner already knows, the primary goal of small business tax planning is to make the most the money the business is already generating. How an accountant achieves that goal depends on the type of business, the source of its income, and a myriad of other factors. Staying Out of Trouble Generally speaking, effective tax planning...

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Wills

Preventative Measures to Defend Against Will Contests

The purpose of a will is to be sure that your affairs are handled after your death and that your loved ones are taken care of properly. A will also protects your estate from various forms of litigation, including suits filed by family members who do not agree with the will’s contents. For this reason, it is important to...

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Elder Law

How Spousal Rights Affect Legal Property Ownership

Various laws concerning a person’s property rights during marriage are normally based on the state that the marriage took place in. Marriage and property ownership laws in different states are divided into two different categories. There are states with community property laws and states that do not have community property laws. These different laws govern how spouses can dispose...

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Guardianship

Common Roadblocks In Setting Up Legal Guardianship of a Minor

A guardianship is established when the court determines that a child’s biological parents are no longer able to care for a child appropriately. A case may be brought to court by child protective services if abuse has been filed against the parent. A case may also be brought to court by the person attempting to become guardian or a...

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| Read Time: 3 minutes | Trusts

5 Trust Types That Will Maximize Your Kids’ Inheritance

One of the most important parts of an effective estate plan is to ensure that a family’s children are properly provided for, whether they are minors or adults. This is often accomplished by placing some or all of the estate into a trust. The following five types of trusts have been found to be very effective in providing for...

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Wills

5 Reasons to Draft a Will Right Now

Many mistakenly believe that drafting a will is something that only needs to be done by old, retired people who have families and are facing their end of life decisions. There are, however, many reasons to draft a will no matter what age you are. It is really never too early to make your will. 1. Serve Your Family...

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Guardianship

The Basics of Guardianship, Health Care Decisions, and Power of Attorney

Legal terms can be confusing. To help those debating over the best care options for their loved ones, below three common elder law terms are defined and explained. Guardianship Guardianship is a term used to define anyone who has custody of, or the sole responsibility of caring for, an aging parent or other elderly relative or friend. Guardianship of...

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Guardianship

5 Alternatives to Guardianship

A guardianship is a position of total authority and responsibility for a disabled adult who is for some reason incapable of making decisions to support himself or manage his affairs. Such persons are referred to as wards. Often, a person may be temporarily disabled or in need of less restrictive assistance. There are several alternatives to guardianship that may...

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