Estate Planning Attorney

If you are wondering what an estate plan details, you are not alone. There are many people who are considering writing one, but they just aren’t sure what it’s all about. You may be surprised to know that writing an estate plan can benefit anyone, even if they don’t have much money in the bank or value in their belongings. Essentially, estate plans protect your legacy and ensure that those you care about the most inherit what you own. By having an estate plan written, you were providing for yourself, your loved ones, your pets, and your property. Many people find that after they establish an estate plan they feel more in control of their current life and future, and have peace of mind knowing that their family members are taken care of too.

As stated above, you don’t have to be a millionaire to benefit from an estate plan. In fact, anyone who is over the age of 18 would probably find it useful. Estate plans can vary immensely based on what your goals are, your financial situation, and where you live. There is no one size fits all version of an estate plan, so using auto generated programs online may not be in your best interest. Instead, many people receive guidance from an estate planning lawyer to ensure that their documents are legally binding and they have not forgotten anything.

The idea of estate planning can seem overwhelming, but to put it simply, it is leaving behind instructions regarding who you want to receive certain assets after your departure. When consulting with a law firm, as the Law Group of Iowa would recommend, you will discuss your goals, dreams, fears, family dynamic, and finances. After that, they can help you craft an estate plan that is clear and concise so that there are no confusions later on. If you are unsure about any of the legal language that is used when writing an estate plan, your lawyer is there to answer your questions as they come up.

There are many types of documents that may be included in your estate plan. One of the most common ones is a trust, which is a contract containing your preferences for what you want to happen to your assets after you pass away. Trusts like these have been used for hundreds of years, and can be revocable or irrevocable. The difference is that one can be changed over time, and another cannot be altered whatsoever. Other examples of documents to include in your estate plan include a will, healthcare POA, guardianship designations, durable power of attorney, beneficiary designations, personal intent letter, and more.

If you are interested in learning more about estate planning, consider finding a law firm near you that assists clients with this task. Sometimes all you need is some extra support and you’ll find you are done with your estate plan quicker than you imagined. But don’t forget, these documents may have to be updated overtime as your life circumstances change, but that you can get into more detail with after finding a lawyer to help you. Writing an estate plan does not have to be an intimidating experience, as it’s a useful tool that is utilized by many people to protect their family and the legacy they have built over a lifetime.

Power of Attorney

Accidents can happen in a variety of scenarios. Minus any immediate symptoms, such as broken bones, obvious bruises, or bleeding, you may be tempted to brush off any possible injuries you sustain as relatively minor and inconsequential. Many people don’t realize it, but even a minor accident can have major consequences, which is why it is important to have your power of attorney established. Anytime an accident involves a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, it is important to be aware of the serious and possibly permanent damages it can cause. Concussions are one of the most common types of personal injuries and medical experts continue to uncover the serious ramifications these injuries can have on every area of a victim’s life.

The following is a brief overview of the impact concussions can have on accident victims from a personal injury lawyer from the Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A.

Signs and Symptoms of Concussion

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), a concussion involves any type of injury to the head that disrupts the brains normal processes and functions. In cases of a mild concussion, there may be no immediate or obvious outward signs or symptoms. As a result, victims may be tempted to shrug off a bump or blow to the head, not reporting it or seeking the medical attention they need.

However, everyone should know that even a minor concussion is nothing to take lightly, as it can have long-term impacts on your physical health and emotional well-being. The following signs and symptoms are ones you should be on the alert for and initiate a call to your medical provider if any appear:

• Loss of memory regarding the injury or confusion about the circumstances leading to the accident
• Headaches and ringing in the ears
• Feeling nauseous or vomiting
• Dizziness and lack of coordination
• Impaired sense of balance
• Sensitivity to light and vision disturbances
• Increased agitation and distractibility

Post-Concussion Syndrome

These symptoms can last for a period of weeks or even months, impairing the victim’s ability to work or engage in their normal activities. In cases where a victim may have suffered a previous mild concussion, the odds for long-ranging and permanently disabling effects increase.

Post-concussion syndrome was initially discovered by sports doctors analyzing the frequent head injuries among pro football players. However, the research clearly indicated that this syndrome could impact anyone who has suffered bumps or blows to the head and had little to do with the severity of the initial injury.

Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome are largely the same as with a concussion. The difference is that these symptoms tend to be more severe and instead of lasting months, they can occur over the course of years. Post-concussion syndrome can result in damage to the brain’s structure and permanent impairments in thought processes, limiting the individual’s cognitive abilities and having profound changes in their personality.

If your concussion was a result of an accident caused by another party, you may be entitled to financial compensation in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. A skilled personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and explain what legal recourse you may have.

Trust Lawyer

As a trust lawyer knows, trying to decide whether it may be time to see a family lawyer can be difficult. After all, there is a lot to think about when it comes to family and separations such as what assets will look like in the future — and what trusts you want to set up for your kids. If you are faced with this dilemma, you may want to consider several things so you can be better prepared. You do not just want to go into consultation with no idea of what kind of information you are seeking. Before you set up a consultation, it’s important to know basic facts right away so that you can make the most out of your meeting with the lawyer. Here are some things you should keep in mind about what information to know before you see a lawyer.

Ask about their qualifications 

Whenever you are doing research to find a suitable family lawyer,  you should ask about the qualifications that they have. Each lawyer has unique solid qualifications that make up their education, knowledge, skills, and case experience. You should only hire a lawyer who has had years of experience advising clients on family law issues and using their skills to develop strategies that have successfully enabled them to get the results that they want. Do not hire a lawyer who is not able to explain their qualifications in detail.

Have your questions ready

If you are about to go into consultation it is advised that you write down all of your questions beforehand. You can ask the lawyer as many questions as you can and they will answer you in detail. If you do not have your questions ready you might be missing crucial information that you need. You also want to make the most out of the lawyer’s time and make sure that the meeting is productive for both of you.

Write down notes

Before you see a family lawyer you should bring a notebook so we can write down notes and whatever information that they give you. if you do not write down notes you could miss important details that can help you better understand your case and the steps that you should take to move forward. Find a lawyer with the right experience who is capable of handling your case and assisting you with all aspects of it. According to a family lawyer from our friends at Kempen & Company, make sure to choose a lawyer who will be able to effectively work on your case.

Consider the lawyer’s advice

Whatever the lawyer explains to you about your case you should consider it carefully. The more information that you’re able to give a lawyer to add context to your case, the better. They will need as much information as they can collect in order to develop a strong sense of the solutions that could be applicable to your case. Family lawyers have a lot of legal knowledge so if they are recommending that you make certain decisions do not ignore them. Otherwise, you could make your situation even worse.

For my information about what you can gain from seeing a family lawyer, request a confidential appointment with a skilled lawyer in your area right away.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Bankruptcy is an option for those who have too much debts and don’t see themselves being able to pay them off at any time in the near future. Filing for bankruptcy can be a useful option for those who need serious restart to their financial situation. To find out if bankruptcy protection is something that could be right for you, it’s important to gear yourself with as much information about the process as possible so that you are helping and not hindering your path. If you have further questions, consider speaking with a lawyer, similar to the team from Therman Law Offices, LTD for further guidance.

Bankruptcy is the legal process of helping an individual or business that is unable to pay their debts. A creditor is an entity that the debtor owes money to. A debtor is an individual or business that owes a creditor money, which may be called an issuer if the debt is related to securities. A discharge is a release of the individual’s or business liability for certain outstanding debts. A lien is a claim to obtain, hold, or sell property of the debtor as a form of payment to their debts. 

Through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, approved debts get eradicated and secured debts may get discharged if property is given up to pay it. Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy, unsecured debts can be discharged after the debtor has committed to a repayment plan over the duration of about 3-5 years. However, bankruptcy does not eliminate all debts. Debts that rarely get discharged from bankruptcy include intentional and malicious injury caused to another person, child support or alimony, student loans, injury or death caused by drunk driving, income taxes, and debts that were not listed in the bankruptcy filing. 

If you file for Chapter 7, which is the most common form of bankruptcy applied for, then you may have to pay your creditors with funds from asset liquidation or forfeit assets that will be sold for cash. There are assets, such as household items, cash, and clothing, that you may be allowed to keep. But the exceptions for assets you can keep will depend on the bankruptcy case and state law. After assets get liquidated and creditors receive payment, remaining debts are forgiven, unless a debt is reaffirmed. With debt reaffirmation, you voluntarily agree to remain responsible for a debt and waive your protection from creditors. 

As a chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer explains, one benefit that appeals to many people considering bankruptcy is the fact that an automatic stay immediately gets enforced, meaning that debtors can no longer pursue their claims against you. Creditors have to halt collection attempts for the money owed. Debtors cannot repossess a vehicle, contact you to collect debts, or foreclose on your home. The bankruptcy case will be overseen by a bankruptcy trustee, who will send notices to creditors for you and schedule a hearing. After that, the rest of the process depends on whether you filed for Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.

Bankruptcy Lawyer

Bankruptcy is necessary for some people or businesses under certain financial conditions. When debts become too burdensome and difficult to repay then filing for bankruptcy may be the strongest option for overcoming these difficult financial circumstances. Filing for bankruptcy can also be a difficult thing to undergo and navigate. That is why it is crucial to understand more about the process and how it works. There are a few different types of bankruptcies. Some of these are filed by businesses, municipalities, and corporations, and others are filed by individuals. Keep on reading to find out more about bankruptcy and which one might be right for you as a business owner or as an individual.

Different Types of Bankruptcies

There are quite a few different types of bankruptcies that individuals and businesses or corporations can file for. Some of these types are for individuals who will be put on a repayment plan over a certain period of time while others will see themselves having to liquidate assets. As for businesses and corporations, they can also file for bankruptcy. When they file for bankruptcy they are to find a way to repay debts to creditors. They oftentimes can also continue running the business or company on a daily basis while reshuffling and reorganizing their debts and finances. When someone hears about a large company going through bankruptcy that is what typically entails. They agree to a plan with creditors to repay debts while still remaining in business to carry out daily operations.

Business/Corporation/Municipality Bankruptcy VS Individual Bankruptcy

There are two different kinds of bankruptcy that an individual may file for. These are chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies. Chapter 7 will see someone liquidating assets with the goal of paying off debts through that liquidation. Houses and certain other items may be exempt from liquidation. Chapter 13 will see someone agree to a plan with creditors to pay back their debts over a certain period of time. The period of time is generally for about 3 to 5 years and the amount they are to pay monthly will depend on their income and other financial details. As for businesses and corporations, they generally file for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Under this bankruptcy type, a court and creditors will agree on a plan for the corporation or business to continue operating while repaying their debts. Farmers and fishermen can keep their businesses operating along with their equipment when they file for chapter 12. Municipalities, like school districts and towns, file for chapter 9 bankruptcy to pay off their debts to creditors. 

Professional Assistance

Professional assistance for bankruptcy can be found from professionals and lawyers who work in this realm. These types of professionals and lawyers have the knowledge and experience to help their client’s overcome bankruptcy and be given terms that are achievable for them. Consider reaching out to a bankruptcy lawyer residents turn to from The Law Offices of Neil Crane for assistance.