With the new year may come a renewed effort to organize your things and look through memories you have gathered throughout the years. New year’s cleaning and organizing efforts can quickly send you down memory lane while you look at sentimental possessions you hold near and dear. As you work your way...
Common Will Contest Justifications
A person may seek to contest a will for a number of reasons. There may be legitimate concerns about the validity of the will. There may be emotions and disappointments over the contents of a will that drive people to contest it. Whatever the reasons, there must be a valid basis...
Requirements of a Validly Executed Will
Each state has its own specific requirements for a will to be legally valid. It is critical for your will to comply with such requirements as failure to do so is likely to result in your will being invalidated later on or left extremely vulnerable to will contest actions. The result of...
Is It Possible to Fund a Trust With Out of State Property?
A trust is one of the most versatile estate planning tools. Offering a variety of structures and benefits, a trust may be just the thing you need to round out your estate plan. There is more good news! You can fund your trust with pretty much any kind of asset. Have cash...
Does a Revocable Trust Help Avoid Probate?
Have you heard ominous things about the probate process? Its reputation certainly has spread, but many do not know exactly why probate is often something many look to avoid. For starters, consider the prospect of facing what can be a complex and convoluted legal process in the wake of losing a loved...
Clauses to Include in Your Revocable Trust
Have you heard of a revocable trust, also often referred to as a “living trust?” It can be a great legal tool to add to your estate plans, especially considering a revocable trust, when properly funded, can remove assets from your probate estate. Removing assets from your probate estate means that they...
What to Know About Non-Compete Agreements
Non-compete agreements can be a great way to protect the best interests of your business and are often included within employment contracts. Sometimes, non-compete agreements, which are also called “restrictive covenants,” are signed as separate documents when employees do not have formal employment contracts in place. In either case, these agreements can...
Appealing Denial of PPP Loan Forgiveness
During the pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offered a lifeline to small businesses working to retain staff despite the hit business had taken. As of May 2021, the SBA reports that almost $800 billion in funding has been provided under the PPP and, while most of the forgivable PPP loans have...
The Importance of Advance Directives
Advance health care directives are an important part of a comprehensive estate plan that is strong in representing and protecting your best interests, as well as those of your loved ones. While it can be difficult to discuss your estate plans and how you want your assets to be distributed after you...
What is the STEP Act?
Some of President Biden’s plans for the federal estate tax have made the news in the past few months. You may have heard plans for increasing the federal estate tax rate, lowering the federal exemption amount, and more. Have you heard of the STEP Act? Sponsored by Senator Chris Van Hollen, and...