Separating Assets When You Are Not Married

How Do Non-Married Couples Separate Their Assets? The concept of marriage is not as popular as it once was. Marriage has been on the decline over the last quarter century, while cohabitation of unmarried couples is on a rapid rise, even in the last few years. According to the Pew Research Center, 18 million Americans […]

How an Out-of-State Move Affects Custody

One of the most devastating aspects of shared custody is when one parent decides to move out of state and take your child with them. Or conversely when you have an opportunity to start a new job out of state and you have to deny the chance because the other custodial parent has refused to […]

Three Ways Executors Get in Hot Water

An executor of a will has a great responsibility, and unfortunately they are often woefully unprepared for the job. Executors are typically a family member or friend of the testator. The person who made the will. And usually have very little legal knowledge or background in the probate process. Which is how a will is […]

Qualified Domestic Trusts

The benefits of a living trust are vast.  Include avoiding the costly and time-consuming process of probate, as well as avoidance of certain taxes. The estate tax is currently set at approximately $5.5 million. Anything less is not subject to taxation. Meaning that most people who pass on their assets to their loved ones will […]

An Easement

The average American house is larger than ever, while the yard is continuing to grow smaller, according to the Atlantic. This has spurred innumerable arguments and disputes between close-quartered neighbors, with easements being of top concern. An easement is a strip of land, usually in the form of a dirt road or driveway, that bisects […]

Five things employees should ask themselves before they sue

If you believe that you were wrongfully terminated from your job, or that you were forced into resignation, your first instinct may be to sue your former employer. While you may have a valid case that can be won, it is a good idea to ask yourself a few questions before rushing into a lawsuit. […]

New front opened in cybersecurity wars

New front opened in cybersecurity wars Recently the SEC has made moves that show their willingness to put muscle into cybersecurity guidance. The SEC announced an agreement with St. Louis-based investment company, RT Jones Capital Equities Management, to settle charges that the company failed to adequately safeguard the personal information of approximately 100,000 individuals. Consistent […]

What is asset protection planning?

What is asset protection planning?  Asset protection planning is planning to take proactive legal action to protect your assets from the possibility of creditors, divorce, lawsuit or judgments. The purpose is to deter potential lawsuits and creditors. Asset protection planning is meant to frustrate or impede creditors’ ability to seize your assets or collect judgments. […]

How do I submit a will for probate?

How do I submit a will for probate? Probate is not an easy process. It is complex because the validity of the will must be proven, and the deceased person’s estate and final affairs must be taken care of. There are four specific things that an executor must do to successfully complete the probate process […]

What is a self-proved will?

What is a self-proved will? Many wills are “self-proving,” which is simply a term that is used to describe a will that is witnessed by two or more individuals who certify that the will was actually signed by the decedent or testator. This is often accomplished by a self-proving affidavit that is attached to the […]