The Trust Protection Myth: Your Revocable Trust Protects Against Lawsuits Many people believe that once they set up a Revocable Living Trust and transfer assets into the trust, those assets are protected from lawsuits. This is absolutely not true. While Trusts commonly provide asset protection for beneficiaries, few trusts protect assets owned by the person who created the trust. No …
A Champaign Mediator Explains How Mediation Can Help with Child Support
Child support and custody issues are the most common issues to be fought about in family court. Disagreements about either of these issues can prolong divorce proceedings, interrupt visitation rights, and cause hardships for all sides of the issue. Child support and custody issues are emotionally charged subjects. While this is understandable to a point, this often leads to extensive …
How to Handle Conflicts in Family-Owned Businesses
Conflicts are inevitable within businesses and families. Personal rivalries, differences of opinion, competition for resources, and questions of prestige can set individuals at odds and lead to warring factions with competing loyalties. Resolving conflicts in both settings is a delicate matter that requires balancing what is best for one person with what is best for the group. When family members …
Strategies for Your Charitable Planning
There are many reasons why you may want to give to a charity: You may give because you believe strongly in a cause or organization, but it can also reduce your yearly income tax bill and remove value from your overall estate. If you are considering making a donation, but are unsure of how to proceed, we are here to …
Life Insurance and Estate Planning: Protecting Your Beneficiaries’ Interests
A common misconception people have about life insurance is that they only need to designate their spouse, child, or loved one as the beneficiary of the policy to ensure that the life insurance benefits will be available to the beneficiary when they die. Life insurance is an important financial and estate planning tool, but without certain protections in place, there …
3 Asset Protection Tips You Can Use Now
A common misconception is that only wealthy families and people in high risk professions need to have an asset protection plan. But in reality, anyone can be sued. A car accident, foreclosure, unpaid medical bills, or an injured tenant can result in a monetary judgment that will decimate your finances. What Exactly Is Asset Protection Planning? Asset protection planning is …
HIPAA: An Overview for Young Adults
The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was enacted to provide guidelines to the healthcare industry for protecting patient information and privacy. For minors, this is a non-issue because parents, as legal guardians, have access to their children’s medical information and are the ones making most of the medical decisions, as well as paying the expenses. …
A Champaign Mediation Attorney Explains Why Mediation is Beneficial for Child Support
Going through a divorce is never easy, but when you have children with your spouse, the situation only gets more difficult to handle. A Champaign mediation attorney shares some reasons why mediation can be helpful for child support. It is Less Time Consuming Mediation fosters an environment where parties come together to come to an amicable solution for all. Because …
A New York Divorce Mediator Explains How to Prepare for Virtual Mediation in New York
The pandemic has prompted an increase in virtual mediations all over. Learn how you can be prepared for your next virtual mediation in New York. Ask the Right Questions If you are unclear about the divorce mediation process, make sure you ask your New York divorce mediator to go over what you can expect and what the timelines are. It …
It’s Planning Season
For each season, there is planning that you must do on the farm. In order to be successful, this planning must be done thoughtfully and in advance. Your life is no different. To properly plan for the next season in your life and the lives of your family, a well-executed estate plan is a must. Below are a few documents …