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.
Leaving a cabin or vacation home outright to your loved ones can create more family conflict and problems than you might think. While the property may have been a peaceful haven for you and your spouse throughout the years, your children may not look at it the same way when it becomes theirs to manage and maintain. In fact, many heirs of recreation...
If you are contemplating divorce there are many things to think about. A divorce can impact all areas of your life and you don't want to go in to the process blind. Here are just a few things to consider. Sheer Change for All Involved Humans are built to seek a comfort zone. This doesn’t necessarily mean a positive comfort zone, just simply any situation...
Divorce is never easy. It is hard to think about ending your marriage. Unfortunately, there are times when it is unavoidable. As we move into the new year, we all start to reexamine our lives. If you've been unhappy in your marriage it may be time to consider, “is the new year time for divorce?” Is Your Marriage Impacting Other Areas of Your Life We often...
Today, blended families have become increasingly common, and many individuals have stepchildren. In situations where stepchildren have not been legally adopted, however, they do not have a legal right to an inheritance from a stepparent. For those who wish to leave stepchildren part of their estate, it is necessary to include them in an estate plan. There...
There are many circumstances that can impact an estate plan, not the least of which is your marital status. Spouses are granted a wide variety of rights to each other’s property in the event of death or divorce. While the laws do vary from state to state, there is often a difference in how marital property is treated compared to non-marital or separate...
As many can attest, going through a divorce can be a difficult experience and the process can become contentious. Even after the spouses reach a settlement, conflict may continue to arise, particularly when a parent fails to make the required child support payments. In these cases, it may be necessary to take legal action to enforce the child support...
Let's face it: getting divorced can be an emotionally charged experience, particularly if the proceedings become contentious. One way to avoid the acrimony that can arise in a marital breakup is by pursuing an approach known as collaborative law divorce. Collaborative Law at a Glance There are three overarching principles of a collaborative divorce. First,...
Most people believe that probate should be avoided if at all possible. It can be an expensive, time-consuming process that exposes your family’s private matters to public scrutiny via the judicial system. It sounds simple enough to just gift your property to your children while you are still alive, so it is not subject to probate upon your death, or to...
Establishing a Life Estate is a relatively simple process in which you transfer your property to your children, while retaining your right to use and live in the property. Life Estates are used to avoid probate, maximize tax benefits and protect the real property from potential long-term care expenses you may incur in your later years. Transferring...
Child support disputes can bring out the worst in many parents, conjuring images of greedy ex-spouses and children who are used as pawns in games of parental posturing and revenge. While there may be a certain degree of truth to some of the stereotypes, there are many myths that are prevalent in the context of children and divorce. Myth: Child support...
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...