Annuities for the Ages
You are quickly approaching or even past acknowledged retirement age. You wonder what happened to the rich investment returns when you were younger. Bank accounts, money markets, and CDs are paying almost nothing. There are higher returns available, but the continuing financial turmoil makes the risks of investing in the stock market, junk bonds, and real estate at your stage of life...
Defining Liability for a Faulty Defined Benefit Plan
You have a new client named Allen. Allen worked his whole life to build his small successful business that now has five employees. He saved every dollar he could, and he invested very conservatively in anticipation of retirement.
Allen comes to see you and tells you a story that is disquieting. A few years ago, he was at the country club and played a round of golf with a happy, friendly...
Breach Of Contract Legal Remedies
Law Firm
Breach of Contract Definition
Legally binding contracts usually involve two or more parties who initiated an agreement. In a legal context, when one or more of the involved parties fails to fulfill any one of the contractual obligations, a breach of the contract has occurred. A breach may have occurred if any party partially or completely neglects to perform their duties in accordance...
Addressing Family Heirlooms During The Estate Planning Process
Probate Lawyer
A guitar, a recipe book, and a diary: what do these items all have in common? A probate lawyer knows that they are among the top ten most common family heirlooms. When it comes to your personal property, deciding how to divide your family heirlooms can be one of the most emotionally challenging aspects of estate planning. How do you determine who will most enjoy a family...
Problems That Can Arise During Probate
The probate process is designed to transfer assets of someone who died and has heirs who stand to inherit. There are many steps taken during probate, such as validating the will, valuing the estate, and allowing an opportunity for creditors to come forward with debt claims. In the best case scenario, when someone passes away and has left behind a valid will, probate will be a relatively simple...
Pension Plan Dipping
It has been a tough couple of years for business. Just as it seemed that the economy was finally lifting out of the doldrums, it looks like we are getting another dip. Business is off, and it is tough to meet expenses in the company that you worked to build. Suddenly, you realize that you can dip into your company’s employee benefit plan to raise necessary funds. You better think again.
You...