Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples
There are all kinds of reasons why a committed couple may decide not to get married. Maybe you have been married before, and it’s not a ritual you are eager to repeat. Maybe you and your partner have been together for years, and it’s just something that hasn’t happened yet. Maybe you like keeping things like assets, debts, and the “business side” of couplehood separate. Whatever the reason, choosing to remain unmarried does not mean that you are any less committed to your partner. And it doesn’t make you any less interested in providing for them in the future.
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Probate – What is it and how do we avoid it?
Losing someone is always a devastating experience – even when someone has been ill for some time, and their passing is expected, we need time to grieve and process the loss of our loved one. The last thing we want to focus on when we have lost someone is court, probate, inventorying of assets, deadlines, and the stress of serving as a “fiduciary.”
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Contract Tip – Who are the Parties?
Contracts are everywhere! Whether you’re signing a lease, purchasing goods or services, or you are an employee or employer – most likely you’ve got a contract. Contracts can be oral agreements or can be written. They do not even need to look official – someone could send you an email with an offer of terms, and if you respond to that email accepting those terms, you’ve got a contract! Clients hire us all the time to write their contracts or review the contracts they have been provided. There are so many red flags and important considerations when dealing with contracts, but this week’s blog is going to cover one of the simplest, and often most overlooked issue with contracts – WHO ARE THE PARTIES?
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Estate Planning for Newly Married Couples
2022 is here! With the pandemic that seems never ending, couples have been finding unique ways to tie the knot. Virtual wedding ceremonies, outdoor services and receptions, and courthouse step weddings are more and more common. Newly married couples, or those who are planning on getting married, are frequent clients of our firm. The prospect of joining together and starting a family always goes hand-in-hand with thinking about assets and estate planning topics. This is not just a conversation about who gets what assets. Those considerations are important, but younger couples are often much more concerned about making sure their fiancé or spouse is solidified as their agent to make financial and medical decisions. There can be horror stories in blended families or families where there are different surnames where the right person is not permitted to act. Planning to avoid these situations is really important.
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'Tis the Season for Estate Planning
At Wakefield Law, we care deeply about our clients and their families. From our perspective, estate planning is all about love, and we are committed to helping our clients show their love by providing for and protecting those they cherish. But, like most things, there are two sides to every coin.
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Have a Lawyer from Wakefield Law on Your Side
Usually, no one wants to hire an attorney – there a few limited legal matters that are fun and exciting, but sometimes it can feel like a last resort and dramatic step. Before deciding to hire an attorney, people typically wait until the situation gets severe, try to work things out themselves, and even take to the internet to learn as much as they can -- all to avoid hiring a professional. However, hiring an attorney doesn’t have to feel so momentous. In fact, your lawyer can be your greatest resource, advocate, and representative long before circumstances reach “last resort” territory.
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Question of the Week: Is it worth it to turn an account receivable over to an attorney for collection?
If you run a business, odds are you have run into the issue of collecting an invoice from a customer. No matter how good you are at managing invoices, the account receivable issue tends to show up across all types of businesses. So what happens if you have invoiced, called, emailed and invoiced again? Some business owners write off the debt and move on with their lives knowing they will not do work for the non-paying customer again – an expensive lesson!
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At Any Age, You Need An Estate Plan
When many people think about “estate planning,” they think about it in terms of age or accumulated assets. Estate planning is often associated with high net worth planning, retirement, prolonged illness, or preparing for passing. For that reason, it’s not something that is talked about in all generational demographics. However, estate planning is crucial no matter where you are in life.
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Why We Are Different at Wakefield Law
We know when you are hiring an attorney, there are plenty of choices out there. There are tons of options and often people can be wary of lawyers – there are some lawyers out there that are not always looking out for their clients. At Wakefield Law, we pride ourselves on being your lawyers for life.
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When a Tenant Leaves a Rental Damaged
As a landlord, there are few times that are more stressful than when a tenant leaves your rental property, and you enter to find it damaged. All at once, you find yourself managing a variety of different problems at once.
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Estate Planning for the Expecting Parents
You’ve read the books. You’ve taken the classes. You have met with the doctor and secured a great spot in childcare. So, are you totally ready for your new baby’s arrival?
Of course it’s impossible to be 100% prepared. Especially with an infant, surprises are sure to arise. Wakefield Law is looking forward to another Wakefield coming in December, 2021 and we understand just how much goes into expecting a little one. However, the months waiting for your family to grow are the perfect time to get estate planning off your list!
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