Mediation is a dynamic, structured, interactive form of alternative dispute resolution used to resolve a broad range of conflicts in a variety of settings. It is particularly well suited to the resolution of conflicts among and between family members. It is a process by which an impartial third party facilitates communication and negotiation and promotes...
Most of our clients own some form of qualified retirement account such as a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), 401K, 403B, SEP or Keogh. Such an account provides significant benefits to the account owner because the deposits into the account are made with pre-income-tax dollars and the assets in the account grow “tax-free” until withdrawn...
Do you know what type of account you opened when you and your spouse opened an account jointly? What about the account you own with your child? When was the last time you looked at your deed? Did you and your spouse buy your home before you were married? When was the last time you...
A guardianship proceeding seeks a court determination as to whether an individual is incapable of handling their own financial and/or personal needs and, if not, to appoint a guardian to act on behalf of the individual. Such a proceeding is both costly and time-consuming. You can expect a guardianship proceeding to cost thousands of...
With today’s rising cost of living and uncertain economy, circumstances arise in which family members might need to rely on each other for financial assistance. Parents may decide to lend children money to help them buy a home, car or other large purchase, to get out of debt or to start a business or financial...
Believe it or not, there are reasons why people occasionally ask about refusing an inheritance. Sometimes the inheritance is of property that is undesirable or it is an asset that is of no value or one that would be costly to maintain. There are individuals who, for religious or philosophical reasons, do not wish...
It is not unusual for people to misunderstand the purpose and intent of a living will – not to be confused with a last will and testament. In fact, when we review estate planning documents with our clients before they execute them, we are often asked about the differences between health care proxies and living...
