Blog
What Do You Mean I’m Not Covered By The Insurance!? The Hidden Danger of Transfer on Death Deeds
A transfer on death (TOD) deed is a common method of transferring real estate. Upon death of the homeowner, the deed instantly transfers the property to the named beneficiary. A recent case brings to light a lurking danger of using TOD deeds, and serves as a...
What is the Difference Between Will and Estate Planning?
What will happen to your belongings after you pass? Who will care for your children? Planning for the future is crucial. That’s where wills, trusts and estate planning come in. A will and other estate planning documents ensure there’s a plan in place for your care,...
“I NEVER KNEW I COULD ADOPT AN ADULT”
A while back, I was contacted by an old client who unfortunately told me he was terminally ill with cancer. Mr. Smith, (as we'll refer to him and obviously this is not his real name), my old client, contacted me to tell me that he wanted to get his Will updated. So we...
The “Do It Yourself” Will
Ahhhh… You think you’re gonna save money by using a do-it-yourself online Will, Trust, Power of Attorney, or just write something up yourself. We love it! Instead of avoiding one lawyer, in many cases it can guarantee work for one, two, or even three lawyers. So, on...
ESTATE PLANNING SCREW-UPS!
I DON’T HAVE MUCH. So what?! You can still decide who gets your stuff! You may not need a complex Trust, but a basic Will can direct where you want assets to go. Who gets the family Bible? Or your mother’s jewelry? Save your loved ones from fighting over who gets...
COMMON MISTAKES AFTER SETTING UP A TRUST
After you set up a Trust, look at asset transfers and beneficiary designations. Failure to do so can preclude maximizing benefits and causing extra costs and inconvenience. Typical Trust Mistakes Include: Asset Transfers: Creating a trust is just the...
Choosing A Guardian For Your Kids! Or, Choosing The Least Worst Person You Trust!
If something happened to you, who raises your kids? If you don’t take care of this, don’t worry . . . the courts will decide. You don’t like this idea? Then, do something about it. Think about who would be the best...
Over 49,000 Adoptees in US Left Without Citizenship
To learn more about this concerning issue of adoptees who do not have US citizenship, click here!
Adoption Tax Credit May Increase With H.B. 206!
House Bill 206 would increase the amount and change the refundability of an existing tax credit for adoption. Under current law, this credit equals the greater of $1,500 or a taxpayer's adoption expenses, up to $10,000. The Bill increases the minimum credit that may...
OHIO HOUSE BILL 188 BLINDNESS BARRED AS A FACTOR FOR ADOPTION
Ohio House Bill 188 prohibits a court, public children services agency, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency from using a person's blindness as a reason to deny or limit that person's adoption/care for a minor, except when necessary to serve...
How to Make the Most of Dying
The end of life can be chaotic and painful, even if you have money and family support. Though doctors may assume terminally-ill people want to live as long as possible, a 2017 study showed people care more about avoiding strain on their families, having medical...
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE HOSPITAL DURING MY ADOPTION?
While your baby’s birth mother is in the hospital, a social worker from the Social Services Department will visit to answer questions about the hospital, the adoption process, or parenting. You may visit during visitation hours, or stay in another room by request, but...
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