Estate planning, elder law, family transitions, business planning – the legal issues that affect your family are always evolving. Jennifer writes regularly to keep you informed, educated, and empowered. Browse the latest articles below, or search by topic to find what you’re looking for.
Creating a Will is not a one-time event. You should review your will periodically, to ensure it is up to date, and make necessary changes if your personal situation, or that of your executor or beneficiaries, has changed. There are a number of life-changing events that require your Will to be revised, including: Change in Marital Status: If you have gotten...
Most people think of marriage as a declaration of love and commitment, not as a legal contract that defines the financial and familial obligations of each party. That is, until they start negotiating a divorce settlement and discover their state’s policy on the division of marital property and spousal support. Although not every couple establishes a...
Mediation is one form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that allows parties to seek a resolution for their conflict without the time, expense, and uncertainty of a court trial. Parties work with a mediator, who is a neutral third party. Usually, mediators have received some training in negotiation or their professional background provides that...
We live in a society where most of us carry at least some debt, right up through the end of our life. So what happens to this debt after death? Are you one of many Americans concerned that, rather than inheriting wealth from a loved one, you will instead inherit bills? The good news is, you probably won’t have to pay them. As you are dealing with the...
While the vast majority of adoptions involve adults adopting children, all states have laws that permit “adult adoption,” in which a person 18 or older is adopted by another adult as mutually agreed by the parties. Some states may restrict adult adoptions to cases where the person being adopted is of diminished capacity. If the person being adopted is...
If you’re like most people, you want to make sure you and your loved ones pay the least amount of tax possible. Many use year-end gift giving as a way to transfer wealth to younger generations and also reduce the overall potential estate tax that will be due upon their death. Below are some steps you can take to make gifts to your heirs without triggering...
Regardless of how long you have been married, negotiating a settlement is the most important part of the divorce process. Although it is no easy task, working with your spouse to arrive at mutually agreed terms of your marital dissolution is easier on your wallet and your psyche. Whatever conditions caused the breakdown in the marriage are likely still...
The Veterans’ Administration’s non-service connected pension program can help supplement the income of elderly or disabled veterans. The VA deems any veteran age 65 or older to be permanently and totally disabled. This “disabled” classification entitles senior citizens who are veterans, or their widows, to tax-free pension payments regardless of their...
The recent proliferation of online estate planning document services has attracted many individuals to prepare their own estate documents in what appears to be a low-cost solution. However, this focus on price over value could mean your wishes will not be carried out and, unfortunately, nobody will know there is a problem until it is too late and you are...
Estate planning attorneys regularly receive inquiries from potential clients asking how much a ‘simple will’ costs. But a basic last will and testament cannot accomplish every goal of estate planning; and often cannot even accomplish the most common goals. This fact often surprises people who are going through the estate planning process for the first...
Affidavits are a very common legal document. You may have signed several affidavits over the years, without fully knowing what they are. You might have signed one to register to vote or obtain some government benefit. An affidavit can also be used as evidence in a lawsuit. Before you sign another affidavit, be sure you understand what you are signing. An...
It is common for individuals beginning the estate planning process to assume it is best to have their adult children join them in the initial meeting with an estate planning attorney. Likewise many well-meaning adults want to help their aging parents get affairs in order by arranging the initial estate planning meeting. But is this always a good idea?...