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Don’t Leave Money on the Table – Adoption Tax Credit Explained

Don’t Leave Money on the Table – Adoption Tax Credit Explained

The Internal Revenue Service has issued guidance on the revived adoption tax credit. Congress declared the tax credit permanent in 2013 and, in 2018, raised the maximum adoption credit to $13,810 for qualified expenses, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees, and travel expenses. The credit amount begins to phase out for taxpayers with an...
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Go Ahead… Do It Yourself! The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning Documents

Go Ahead… Do It Yourself! The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning Documents

In my 30 years of private practice, I have yet to see a correctly-done do-it-yourself Will! Most people do not have a Will. Why? Because most of us are busy living and working, and the last thing we think about is mortality. Usually, “do-it-yourself” Wills are done by people who can afford to have a...
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Don’t Make These Estate Planning Mistakes

Don’t Make These Estate Planning Mistakes

Making a plan for end of life is hard, but necessary. Retaining an attorney is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out. There are plenty of things to bear in mind. First, never assume your estate is not valuable enough. The costs of hiring a lawyer are worth it, compared to the...
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House Bill 448: The Beginning of the End of Adoptions as We Know Them?

House Bill 448: The Beginning of the End of Adoptions as We Know Them?

House Bill 448 could mean the beginning of the end of adoptions as we know them! The Bill permits a person to bring an action to obtain visitation rights with an adoptee’s minor siblings. The Bill also extends sibling relationships beyond adoption. Click here for more information. Call (614) 241-2181 todayAt Thomas Taneff Co., LPA.,...
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Fighting For Custody of Your Foster Child

Fighting For Custody of Your Foster Child

Most foster care arrangements are intended to be temporary, but a good foster parent understands a child’s welfare comes before all other concerns. As a foster parent, you may find it is in a child’s best interests to remain in your care rather than return to their natural parents. you may find yourself in a...
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When Should Foster Parents Hire an Attorney?

When Should Foster Parents Hire an Attorney?

Especially where children are concerned, the consequences of losing legal custody can be far worse than anyone is prepared to accept. In situations like these, it is to a foster parent’s advantage to have an attorney on hand, both as a spokesperson and a guide to navigating the complex and often confusing avenues of child...
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Prince’s Estate: Who Gets the Jewels?

Prince’s Estate: Who Gets the Jewels?

A Minnesota judge decided that singer Prince has six siblings as his rightful heirs, bringing them closer to collecting their shares of the singer’s $200 million estate. Since Prince’s death due to an accidental opioid overdose, more than 45 people came forward claiming to be his relative. Some were ruled out through DNA testing, while...
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Getting Remarried? Better Update Your Estate Plan!

Getting Remarried? Better Update Your Estate Plan!

Around 40% of marriages are a remarriage for at least one of the spouses. Getting remarried can affect your estate plan. Many older adults are focused on making sure their grown children or grandchildren receive an inheritance. Without adjustments to an estate plan, a new spouse may inherit assets you intended for your children or...
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Birth Mother Adoption Expenses

Birth Mother Adoption Expenses

Birth mothers are bearers and givers of the gift of life. There is no price tag on this gift. During the adoption process, the adoptive parents incur all costs so that the birth mother is economically unburdened. The adoptive couple can legally pay for a birth mother’s attorney fees and care. This can include prenatal,...
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EFFECTIVE LIFE-BOOKS LEAD TO FASTER ADOPTIONS

A Life-Book is your chance to give birthparents an inside look at the life their baby will have. Your Life-Book will be one of your most valuable tools in the adoption process. It is used to help birthparents make one of the hardest choices in their life. Creating a Life-Book can feel like a daunting...
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Guardianships Gone Sour

When a person is unable to care for themselves, a Guardian may be appointed. Once a person is found incompetent, their life could also end up in the hands of a stranger. Guardians can have a great deal of power. Not every Guardian handles this power correctly. Once someone is appointed Guardian, they have access...
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The Prince Without A Will

Weeks after Prince’s passing, a Will has still not been discovered. What will happen to his musical dynasty? Only time will tell. The unmarried singer has no living children or parents, and without a Will, there is no designated beneficiary for his huge estate. According to Minnesota law, where the singer resided, his estate will...
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Choosing the Best Executor

Once a Will is drafted, most people believe they are legally prepared for passing. But there is another important step. An Executor to the Will must be chosen. This person is responsible for many duties, including executing the last wishes of the decedent, taking care of the probate process and distributing the assets to the...
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Estate Planning After a Divorce

Following a divorce it is critical to re-visit your estate plan. If you no longer want your ex-spouse to be beneficiary of your estate, or disinherit your child(ren), then take a careful look at your will and beneficiary designations. Pay attention to beneficiary designations for retirement plans, life insurance plans, and annuities. Revisit your will...
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Ohio’s Adoption Law Now Allows Advertising

Major changes to Ohio’s adoption law became effective on March 23, 2015. Changes include new time limits and a notification option for birth fathers, an increase in the state tax credit, a reduction in the window for contesting adoptions, new guidelines for birth mother living expenses and permission to advertise. Q: My wife and I...
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Changes to Adoption Law Will Allow Couples to Advertise for Children

HUGE Adoption law changes! In case you missed my 10TV New Adoption Laws interview with Glenn MCENTYRE http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2015/05/05/columbus-ohio-changes-to-adoption-laws-will-allow-couples-to-advertise-for-children.html
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OHIO PASSES SWEEPING NEW ADOPTION LAW CHANGES SUB. S.B. 250 EFFECTIVE MARCH 23, 2015

Birth fathers now have a shortened period of time with which to register with the Ohio Putative Father Registry from 30 days down to 15 days in order to protect their rights.  The ability to contest adoptions has been reduced from one year down to six months after the date of finalization.  This should make...
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Adopting Couples Say Woman Faked Pregnancy

See my interview with Josh Poland on 10TV News!
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New Adoption Records Law

NEW ADOPTION RECORDS LAW FOR BIRTH PARENTS STARTING MARCH 20, 2014 Ohio law will give individuals adopted between January 1, 1964 through September 17, 1996 new access to their adoption file. Effective March 20, 2014 birth parents can submit a new form to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to state their preference for contact with a child they...
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Russian Adoption Ban

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