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Leading Lawyers on the Best Strategies

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:30:06 +0000

Product Description

Inside the Minds Estates & Trusts is a guide for attorneys and their clients on the best methods for structuring tailored estate plans that will meet the individual’s goals. The six seasoned attorneys in this book offer their insightful perspectives on everything from the first steps in identifying individual objectives to the ultimate administration of an estate plan, and all of the important dos and don’ts in between. Covering a wide array of topics ranging from living wills and powers of attorney to charitable trusts and business successions, the authors in this book discuss the substantive financial and tax issues in estate planning, as well as the intangible elements of leaving behind a meaningful legacy. Readers will learn of new and upcoming developments in the law, the pros and cons of standard estate planning vehicles, and lesser-known structuring options they may not have previously considered. With practical tips and useful sample estate planning documents, Inside the Minds: Estates & Trusts is an indispensable resource for making sure your estate is in good hands. About Inside the Minds: Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business intelligence from C-Level executives (Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, Partner) from the world’s most respected companies nationwide, rather than third-party accounts from unknown authors and analysts. Each chapter is comparable to an essay/thought leadership piece and is a future-oriented look at where an industry, profession or topic is headed and the most important issues for the future. Through an exhaustive selection process, each author was hand-picked by the Inside the Minds editorial board to author a chapter for this book.

Estates & Trusts: Leading Lawyers on the Best Strategies for the Planning (Inside the Minds)

Divorce Lawyer – How to Choose One

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:24:42 +0000

Unfortunately the chances of a married couple splitting up gets higher each year so hiring a divorce lawyer is the next crucial step; some guidelines on what to look for are listed below:

Fully qualified to deal with your case Have the correct bearing for this type of work A conscientious person

The best attorney to employ is one who, for at least half their time, is dealing with divorce cases and is fully skilled in mediation techniques. They will need to be someone in whom you can place your trust and feel comfortable working with so if these criteria cannot be met then you will need to look elsewhere.

Mediation minded attorneys are more likely to give you problem solving advice, whereas traditional attorneys tend to be more oriented to conflict and their advice tends to be adversarial. The most important thing is to be very well prepared whenever you contact your divorce lawyer so know your facts, what you want to ask about and exactly what you want the lawyer to explain or do for you.

Plan each conversation by making an agenda and write down the things you want to talk about; take notes on the content of the conversation and the amount of time spent on phone calls. Try to keep actual meetings to a minimum and where points have to be clarified, use the phone or send a letter.

Remember you divorce attorney is there for their expertise in the field and not to act as a counselor, you should hopefully be able to use people close to you for that. Never trouble your divorce lawyer with trivial matters that do not directly concern the divorce.

The most important aspect for you to get sorted out is the control of the situation which should be yours and then you will be able to use your lawyer more effectively. If they are there purely to act in accordance with the legal issue of divorce it will be more efficient utilization of their services and you will be making the decisions. Ask that you be sent copies of all documents and letters and let them know that you expect phone calls to be answered by the next working day after all you are the one paying the bills.

If money is an issue, it may be a preferable for you to only contact a lawyer for legal advice on a marital settlement but not representation. You may decide to carry out research first before you contact them, only asking your lawyer questions you have not been able to find answers too. Some people only use a divorce lawyer to re-read and check a marital settlement they have drafted on their own but at least these people have the backup of using a lawyer if all else fails.

By: Harry Bernstein

Do You Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer?

admin — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 04:54:05 +0000

Are you swimming in a sea of debt and loans that you want to erase all of them and just have a clean, fresh start? Well, fortunately, you can do something like that if you file for bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy gives you the clean financial slate that you need so much. You can even save your most important assets if you consider this option. Though you can file for bankruptcy all on your own, you can avoid much of the hassle if you hire a qualified bankruptcy lawyer to help you. After all, lawyers know all the legalities involved in filing bankruptcy.

Your bankruptcy lawyer will serve as your beacon of light as you navigate the intricacies of the laws governing bankruptcy filing in your state. Your questions regarding the filing of bankruptcy will most definitely be answered by your bankruptcy lawyer. You also need to voice out your concerns as well so that your bankruptcy attorney will do his best in carrying out your wishes. Also, your lawyer will thoroughly explain to you why you need to file bankruptcy and why it is the only way to save your assets without making you feel like a failure. In fact, a lot of people find filing bankruptcy as a means of starting over, money-wise.

Your lawyer will also assist you in restructuring your businesses while keeping debt collectors at bay. It can be very hard to come up with a plan to pay your debtors if they keep on hounding you. Your lawyer understands this, and he will be able to negotiate with your debtors so that you can all come up with a good plan to solve the problem. Sometimes you can employ less drastic measures in saving your financial situation, and lawyer will be able to help you explore these other options that you may have.

In choosing a bankruptcy lawyer to work with you, one of the things that you should consider is his fees. Remember that you are in the middle of a personal financial crisis here, so your budget for your lawyer is important. However, most attorneys are considerate when it comes to these things since they know the status of their clients. Aside from the lawyer’s fees, it will be helpful if you ask him about other costs that you might encounter, like court filing costs for instance.

You should also know about the experience of your chosen attorney. If you are going to hire a lawyer, why not hire the best that your money can afford. A lawyer who is an expert in his field is more likely to give you the best results as compared to those who are new to the field.

By: Frank Schumacher

Tips on Working With Your Divorce Lawyer

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:04:52 +0000

Whether or not your lawyer is a specialist in divorce, you should expect any lawyer to:

• provide you with a clear understanding of how you will be billed and what costs to expect, including retainer, court costs, expert witness fees, and other expenses

• provide you with copies of all documents related to your case

• maintain detailed time records and send you accurate and understandable bills

• return your phone calls promptly

• explain your rights and how he or she will go about securing them for you

• keep you up to date on settlement negotiations, and

• put significant effort into trying to settle your case out of court and, if that is not possible, prepare your case-and you-for trial.

Remember, communication is a two-way street. Just as your attorney should provide you information, you must provide complete and honest information to your attorney. This includes filling out requested forms and gathering requested documents. If your attorney has incomplete or inaccurate information, the advice you receive may be inappropriate for your particular circumstances.

Do not be concerned if your attorney is friendly with the opposing counsel. In fact, this often works to your advantage. Even if the attorneys are friends, they will each work for their client’s interest. Attorneys who cooperate with each other are better able to negotiate and settle out of court, which will result in lower legal fees.

In addition, if the attorneys are enemies and drawn into an emotional fight, the end result will be higher fees and a lower quality of representation for you. An attorney in such a situation will not be able to focus clearly and objectively on the facts of your case.

By: Joqtan Anicama

How to Obtain a Legal Aid Lawyer

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:28:39 +0000

Across the country, programs are being established to help persons who need legal assistance obtain the services of a legal aid lawyer at no cost. There are definite criteria that one has to meet in order to obtain legal services without the obligation to pay. Here are some of the general conditions one has to meet in order to obtain the help of an attorney who offers free legal aid.

One of the first things you have to do is locate programs that provide this sort of legal aid. There are several ways you can check for available programs in your area. Online, you can check the web site of the local chapter of the state’s legal or attorney association. Often, there will be a section on legal aid there, including a list of attorneys who participate in the programs operating in different parts of the state. Locating your city and seeing which programs or attorneys offer free legal aid will provide you with a list of people to contact.

Second, you may also check for lists of attorneys that provide free legal aid at your local courthouse. These lists are usually available at no charge, so you can pick one up and begin to make some phone calls or drop by the offices listed. Usually someone at the office can provide you with basic of the qualifications you have to meet and also give you an application for the program.

Often, as part of qualifying for the services of a legal aid lawyer, you will need to be able to demonstrate your need. This will mean supplying details about how much you make, perhaps by turning in a recent pay stub. If you have outstanding debts, be able to document the current state of those accounts. Also be able to provide what you have to pay in the way of rent or house payments, estimates on food and utilities, and any other regular expenditures that have to be paid out of your net pay. The point is to make sure that persons who genuinely need the help are processed quickly and receive the support they need, and persons who are in fact able to pay but just don’t want to do so will not get into the programs.

As part of the process for obtaining the help of a legal aid lawyer, you will need to fill out an application form, which will accompany the documentation that is required by the program. From there, you will be interviewed, often at least twice. The first interview usually occurs around the time you submit your application, and the second will be after the information you have submitted has been verified. At that point, you will usually learn if you have been accepted into the program or not.

By: James Woodley

Selecting a Bankruptcy Lawyer

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:00:30 +0000

One of the many road bumps in life – filing for bankruptcy. The process and aftermath of filing for bankruptcy can take a huge toll on anybody who is involved. Needless to say, it is strenuous on the individuals involved, both emotionally, and financially. For those considering filing for bankruptcy, or already in the process, it is vital to have a good bankruptcy lawyer. Why? Having a good bankruptcy lawyer will improve your case, your financial standing, and in turn, your (or your families) well being.

It is not very hard to find the right bankruptcy lawyer. You need to start off by making a list of possible laywers for your case. Ask around – friends, family, coworkers, and so on. Chances are, you know at least one person that has filed for bankruptcy. You may hear some good stories about certain lawyers – and in that case, you can consider working with that lawyer. On the other hand, you may hear some negative stories – and in that case, you can stay away from that lawyer.

There are several resources available online that can help you look for attorneys where you live, and also narrowing down with more specific queries. Many bankruptcy lawyers even have their own websites with their history, areas of expertise, and so on.

When you feel you have a decent number of possible lawyers, you need to begin narrowing down. Many bankruptcy lawyers offer free consultations. You can contact the lawyers and ask them any questions you have. Having a good feeling about the lawyer you are going with is important. When you talk to them, it is important to take note of how exactly you feel when talking to this lawyer. Confident? Not so confident? It is important to pick a bankruptcy lawyer which you feel confident with. Furthermore, you need to find out how much this lawyer will charge for your specific case. Cost is an important factor for many.

Once you have talked with the lawyers on the phone, it is time for a face to face consultation. This is a good time to see how you feel about this lawyer, most important your confidence level. Have a good list of questions that you will ask the lawyer, and touch on all of them during the conversation. It is important to see how experienced the lawyer is, what their winning percentage is, and what their plan would be for your case.

By: Ben C Hoss