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What are some common misconceptions about divorce?
Marriage can be difficult. What should you do if it doesn't work out? Divorce is a legal process that can sometimes take years to complete. There are also many misconceptions about divorce, which may make the situation even more complicated and confusing for some...
What Kind of Cases Can a Divorce Attorney Handle
Hiring a divorce attorney is a difficult decision to make. There are many different reasons that lead people to consider it, so you should take the time to think long and hard before making your decision. While hiring an attorney can seem like the obvious choice,...
How to handle divorce if you have kids
Divorce is a tough experience for anyone, but with kids in the mix it can be overwhelming. There are many important decisions that need to be made, and this blog will help you make those decisions as smoothly as possible. When you're going through a divorce, it's...
The Complexities of Divorce for Same-Sex Couples
The complexities of divorce for same-sex couples are a difficult topic. It's about understanding the rights and responsibilities that you may or may not have in your relationship, as well as understanding how to navigate these topics with your partner. It can be...
Divorce and separation agreements: Who gets the assets?
Divorce is a difficult process, and for many people, the financial aspects of divorce are just as bad. Divorce attorneys often get asked "who gets what?" when it comes to dividing assets in a divorce. This blog post will explore the different types of property that...
Four Everyday Business Law Issues
Business owners and jugglers have a lot in common. The difference lies in what they are ‘juggling.’ Instead of brightly-colored rubber balls, entrepreneurs keep their eyes on daily operations, agreements and contracts, research and confidential company information,...
Why Do-it-Yourself Divorce May Not Be Best
When faced with the prospect of ending a marriage, you may be tempted to attempt a do-it-yourself divorce. After all, you know your spouse and yourself better than anyone and should have no trouble ironing out your differences, right? However, appearances can be...
Will the Alabama Business Corporation Law of 2019 Affect Your Business Operations?
The simple answer is: “Yes.” After all, the former Alabama Business Corporation Law also affected your business operations. However, it’s essential to understand changes in the law as we move into 2020. The Basics Governor Ivey signed Act No. 2019-94 into law on May...
What Are Digital Assets and What Do They Have to Do with My Estate Plan?
Link spent most of every day on some kind of electronic device – paying bills, emailing friends and business associates, and listening to music. However, Link never paused to think about what would happen to his digital assets after he was gone. Would he allow his...
How Your Mediation Statement Contributes to a Successful Mediation
Whether filing a claim or are defending one, you want to achieve the best outcome possible. Sometimes people file lawsuits, then go to trial or try to settle. Using alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation has become a common and attractive way of...
Mediation and the Alabama Uniform Collaborative Act
Settling legal disagreements can be difficult. However, family law matters bring a whole new level of stress and emotion to the process. Trying to settle a divorce often stretches people to the limit, but there may be a better way. For example, mediation and the...
Four Estate Planning Mistakes and Celebrities Who Made Them
Sometimes it seems that celebrities have it all – fame, fashion, and fortune. However, having money and an entourage of lawyers and accountants has not stopped some celebrities from making estate planning mistakes. In this article, we will look at four celebrity...
Three Alabama Business Laws and How They Might Affect Your Business
A company’s success often hinges on factors beyond its control. The market, the economy, and competitors can all play a part in how a business performs. However, many people may overlook something: the law. In fact, three Alabama business laws might affect your...
My Dad Died Without a Will. How Will His Assets Be Divided?
After their dad’s funeral, Matthew and Phillip began discussing his estate with Estelle, their stepmother. They were stunned to learn that their dad, Martin, had died without a Will or any other estate planning. As Estelle, Matthew, and Phillip faced life without...
Does Alabama Recognize Legal Separation?
David and Alma were married in Texas but moved to Alabama shortly after the ceremony. Four years later, the couple wasn’t sure they wanted to remain married. They were not sure about divorcing either. Their home state of Texas did not allow legal separation. As David...
What Happens to Your Online Presence After You Die?
People of all ages have embraced the Internet and all it provides. We can check international news, message a friend, and pay bills before even having our first cup of coffee in the morning. However, digital assets, including bank accounts, investment account,...
Gift-Giving Can Be an Important Part of Your Estate Plan
People give gifts for holidays, birthday, and other special occasions. Sometimes gifts are given for no reason at all. However, gift-giving can be an important part of your estate plan. Gift-Giving Strategies You may want to give financial gifts to friends, loved...
Arbitration vs. Mediation
When people or businesses have a legal disagreement, several things may happen. They may be able to come to an agreement. Both sides get their attorneys involved, to negotiate or to file a lawsuit. Others go straight to the courthouse and move their wrangle to the...
Is Alimony Allowed in Alabama Divorces?
Couples facing a divorce may wonder if the judge will order one party to pay maintenance to the other. It’s a valid concern. State laws about divorce vary, some alimony may be more likely in some states. As an Alabama resident, it is only normal to wonder if alimony...
Reasons to Hire a Business Lawyer
If you’ve ever started or operated a business, you know a lot about hard work, determination – and stress. It makes sense to protect the investment on which you have spent so much energy and money. One way to do that is to hire professionals with business experience....
Why You Need an Estate Plan
There are many excuses for why people don’t prepare an estate plan. However, the reasons you need an estate plan far outweigh the reasons for not having one. Without an estate plan, how will your family know what to do with your property? You can reduce some of your...
Why You Should Have a Buy-Sell or Succession Plan in Your Business
With all the day-to-day work that goes into owning a business, you may be overlooking some documents your company needs. To make the future a better place for your company, learn more about why you need a buy-sell or succession plan. What is a Buy-Sell? Sometimes a...
The Connection Between Your Family Business and Your Estate Plan
Estate planning is all about family. Your Will gives your family guidelines about distributing your assets and may provide much-needed financial support after you are gone. Business, on the other hand, may not seem like much of a family affair. However, some families...
Family Law Mediation Can Help Resolve Your Divorce Issues
Dorothy and Tom couldn’t agree on how to divide the property they had acquired during their 30-year marriage. Blake and Emma couldn’t come up with a workable child custody and visitation agreement. Both of these divorcing couples may want to consider family law...
Mediation for Small Business Owners
Small business may be the backbone of our economy, but that doesn’t make it immune from serious legal difficulties. Generally, small business owners have to keep an eye on all expenses, including expenses related to contract disputes and lawsuits. Mediation for small...
Buy-Sell Agreement: What It Is and Why You Need It
Frank, Margot, and Lillian formed the Anniston Gadgetry Company fourteen years ago. They followed all the proper procedures and filed the right paperwork – or so they thought. As they approached their fifteenth anniversary of operations, they learned the hard way that...
Estate Planning Through the Years
Some may say estate planning is a “cradle to the grave” process. In fact, it’s crucial to devote thought and time to estate planning through the years because estate plans do touch on people of all ages. From Birth to Age 18 Minors cannot sign estate planning...
Can You Avoid Probate in Alabama?
The process of proving a Will and administering an estate may seem mysterious. But that’s exactly what probate is. “Proving” the Will happens when a deceased person’s Will is presented to a probate court. The judge establishes the validity of the Will so that the...
How to Set Up a Family Limited Partnership
Most people agree that families are an important part of society. Families provide a place for people to support each other in many ways, including personal growth and financial needs. Sometimes family members will even go into business with each other. One form of...
What Does a Business Lawyer Do?
When you think of what business lawyers do, you may think that their practice is boring or that they make massive corporate deals all day and party all night. The truth is somewhere in between. A local Anniston business lawyer may not be involved in huge corporate...
3 Reasons to Hire an Anniston Estate Planning Lawyer
Jack and Shirley V. had just moved to Calhoun County, Alabama. Deciding it was finally time to tackle their estate planning, they looked for an attorney. They had no trouble finding attorneys but did have trouble narrowing their search. Maybe they could consider the...
Does Your Loved One Need a Conservatorship?
Sometimes people need a little help. For example, Alma’s car was repossessed last week. She forgot to pay her bills for several months due to her rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s disease. After Todd suffered a serious brain injury in a car accident, no one was...
Who Can Serve as a Mediator?
When you are involved in a legal dispute, sometimes mediation provides the help you need. A form of alternative dispute resolution, mediation allows people on both sides of the disagreement to meet with a neutral party – the mediator. Although the mediator acts as a...
The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Every week, many Americans head to the closest hardware or home improvement supply store, always with the best of intentions. But when the showerhead you installed sprays water all over the bathroom, it’s easy to fix and clean up the mess. The same cannot be said of...
Pros and Cons About Limited Liability Companies
Samuel and Emma decided to start a business with their friends, Joanne and Ron. Their new company would provide landscaping design and installation, including sprinkler systems. Sam and Ron would handle the installation, Joanne was the designer, and Emma would handle...
What You Need to Know About Joint Venture Agreements
When two people form a business, it may be called a partnership. When two companies join together, it’s called a joint venture. As you might imagine, the companies usually negotiate and agree on their responsibilities, tasks, obligations, and rights. All that...
Taking a Vacation Soon? Make Sure Your Estate Plan is Ready to Go
People often plan a summer vacation for months before summer even arrives. After all, good planning can make the difference between a great trip and a frustrating one. One often overlooked pre-vacation task may seem a little unusual. However, making sure your affairs...
Why You Should Take Your Case to Mediation
If you find yourself in the position of being sued or suing someone, you may wish there was a better way. In some cases, there may be a better way to proceed – mediation. In this article, we will review three reasons you should take your case to mediation. Because You...
3 Types of Business Contracts You Might Need
Every business uses contracts. From the formation of the business through its operations, sales, and employee relationships, written business contracts make things happen. Contracts also prevent misunderstandings about your agreements. In keeping with our topic –...
Is an S Corporation Right for You?
Starting up a business involves many decisions, including which type of business entity to choose. For example, a business might operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation. But there are two basic kinds of corporation – a...
How and Why to Coordinate Your Beneficiary Designations with Your Estate Plan
On the surface, it may seem that beneficiary designations don’t have a lot to do with your estate planning. However, anything to do with your financial worth – anything you own – affects your estate. In this article, we will consider the importance of coordinating...
Taking the Mystery Out of Mediation
Some mysteries are minor like: Why do socks disappear in the dryer and why does time move slower as you approach home after a long trip? However, there are mysteries that affect some of your most important decisions. For example, people may have heard the word...
Hire an Experienced Alabama Lawyer for Your Personal Injury Claim
After being injured in a car accident, Jody didn’t know where to turn. Medical bills piled up, her car was totaled, and her boss wanted her back at work pronto. She had heard of people being compensated for their losses through a personal injury claim, but she needed...
Is Family Conflict the Biggest Threat to Your Estate Plan?
Family may be the biggest reason people put together their estate plan. However, according to a recent survey, family conflict may be the biggest threat to your plan. And the Survey Says . . . At a recent meeting of the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning,...
Do I Need a Durable Power of Attorney
The closing on Emily’s house just happened to coincide with her all-expenses paid, non-refundable Caribbean cruise. The closing documents had to be signed in person, by either Emily or someone with her authority. She honestly did not know what she was going to do....
Consider Alternative Dispute Resolution for Your Legal Disagreements
One way of resolving legal disagreements is through negotiation. But when that doesn’t help sparring parties reach a settlement, they may have to move on to other methods. In fact, they may use one of the two common forms of alternative dispute resolution: mediation...
7 Elements of Basic Estate Planning
Without question, estate planning involves some of the most important decisions you will ever make. The plans you make and the documents you sign will vary depending on your individual situation. However, it is important to make sure that you at least cover the...
Asset Protection for Small Business Owners
There are many reasons to start a business: make money, make a difference in the world, build a legacy, or continue your family’s legacy. One reason a business owner would not form a company is to let someone take it away. That’s where asset protection comes in. Small...
5 Types of Personal Injury Claims
The meaning of the term ‘personal injury’ seems obvious – it’s some type of injury to a person. However, personal injury claims take it to another level because someone is held responsible for the injury. Also, the injured party may receive compensation for damages....
Pros and Cons of a Revocable Living Trust
Hopefully, you have already prepared a basic estate plan: Will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare power of attorney. However, you may have heard of a revocable living trust. Before deciding to create and fund a revocable trust, you need to consider some of the...
Unenforceable Contracts: Why They’re Bad and How to Avoid Them
Some say that contracts are the backbone of business. If that is true, then isn’t it important that your ‘backbone’ is straight and working like a well-oiled machine? A contract is a legal agreement between two or more parties. To be effective, it must at least...
Do I Have to Settle at a Court-Ordered Mediation?
Several months after being sued, Sarah was surprised to learn the judge had ordered the parties in the lawsuit to mediate. She felt they had barely scratched the surface of the case and had a lot more work to do before even thinking of settlement. Sarah wondered if...
How to Get Compensated After a Car Crash
In 2017, traffic accidents occurred in Alabama about every 200 seconds. The typical Alabama driver faces at least a one-in-three chance of being involved in a car accident that results in injury or death. In addition to physical injury, auto accidents can cause...
Are You One of the 56% of Americans Who Don’t Have a Will?
According to a 2016 Gallup poll, only 44% of Americans have written a Will. Other studies put the figure closer to 30%. However, either way a majority of people have not prepared for their family’s future. Will you be one of the 56% of Americans who don’t have a Will...
Choosing a Personal Representative
Preparing a new estate plan, or revising an old one, requires you to make a lot of decisions. Who gets the family china? Who will serve as guardian of your minor children? Some of the most important decisions involve choosing people to act for you after you are gone....
5 Important Facts About Trusts
From revocable living trusts to gun trusts to pet trusts to celebrity trusts gone wrong, it seems everyone is talking about trusts. They are a powerful estate planning tool in the right hands. However, you might want to consider some important facts...
Arbitration vs. Mediation: Aren’t They the Same Thing?
Bud’s company, The Anniston Bait Company, was in trouble. Bud had been sued by a former business partner and it looked like they were headed for a lengthy court case. However, he heard about something called alternative dispute resolution. He learned it is generally...
Are You Prepared for the Future?
We plan all kinds of things in our lives. Some decisions may be simple, like what we’ll have for lunch tomorrow, while other plans are much more complex. For example, how much time have you spent preparing for the future? With estate planning, you can put prepare a...
3 Mistakes Small Business Owners Make
Small business owners sometimes wear a lot of hats – entrepreneur, business planner, payroll specialist, and manager. When you are running a company, it’s easy to make mistakes. In fact, we are going to look at three specific mistakes many small business owners make....
Will Your Out-of-State Will Work in Alabama?
If you’ve seen one Will, you’ve seen them all. This might seem to make sense until you consider the fact that states frequently exercise their right to enact their own laws. People are told that everyone needs an estate plan or at least a Will, but Wills have to...
What Mediation Can Do for You
Participating in a trial is not something most people want to do, at least not more than once. Litigation can be expensive and stressful as your time and money are focused on a courtroom battle. However, there are alternatives. In fact, alternative dispute resolution...
A Time of Reflection and Review
As a new year begins, we tend to spend time in reflection and review. Events from the passing year lead us to make resolutions to start anew and make the new year just a little bit different. As you think of the major events in your life, consider your estate plans....
Should You Use a Revocable Living Trust for Asset Protection?
After working hard for years, Reggie was happy with his financial state. He owned a home, several cars, large retirement accounts, and still managed his own business. Reggie though his assets were vulnerable to creditors and predators, and he wondered if there was...
Non-Disclosure Agreements: They’re Not Just for Big Corporations
Thinking only big corporations need non-disclosure agreements is like thinking only super-rich people need estate planning. It’s just wrong. While it’s true that a larger company’s confidential information might be more vulnerable, it’s kind of a numbers game. They...
Protect Your Home with an Alabama Homestead Exemption
The old saying goes, “A man’s home is his castle.” Your home may not have a moat and drawbridge, but you probably still want to protect it from creditors and predators. The Alabama Homestead Exemption allows most property owners to protect a certain portion of their...
The Connection Between Holidays and Estate Planning
If you played word association with the word “holidays” you might get the following responses: fun, stress, tradition, family. If you did the same with the term “estate planning” you might think: death, family, stress, and legal. Holidays and estate planning seem like...
Tips for Starting a Business Out on the Right Foot
Ideas for new business ventures can be easy to come up with. It’s starting a business out on the right foot that can be difficult. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the general and specific tips for new business owners. Common Tips for Potential Business...
How to Navigate the Probate Courts
After someone passes away, their estate usually goes through probate, which is uncharted waters for most people. When navigating the potentially rough waters of Alabama probate courts, it helps to understand how it all works. Assessing the Situation Did the person who...
What Does a Mediator Do?
Sometimes there’s more than one way to fix a problem. Angela, for example, thought the lawsuit filed against her could only end in a courtroom. However, her attorney told her about alternative dispute resolution options like mediation. It sounded helpful, but she...
6 Asset Protection Strategies to Consider
The phrase “asset protection” is pretty easy to understand. It means protecting your assets, right? However, there’s more than one way to protect your assets. Choosing the right option or options is the hard part. You may want to consider some of the following asset...
What Happens at Mediation?
Sometimes there’s more than one way to fix a problem. Take Johnny L., for instance. His company, AnnistonInsurance Co., was sued recently. His heart sank as he imagined the years of costly litigation ahead. When his attorney suggested mediation, he wanted to hear more...
4 Year End Business Issues
In December, people sometimes reflect on the year as it draws to a close. On New Year’s Day we may think of what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. Business owners also may face a time of reflection at the end of their fiscal or calendar year. There are several...
How to Save Money with a Complete Estate Plan
In business, some people say you have to spend money to make money. In the estate planning world, sometimes you have to spend money to save money. Sounds odd but keep reading to learn how to save money with a complete estate plan. Documents Included in a Complete...
Do You Need to Overcome Estate Planning Excuses?
Hopefully, you are one of the 44% of adults in the United States who have made a Will. If not, you may be holding back because of some common estate planning excuses. Many people have them, and they can be difficult to defeat. If you’re not sure you need to overcome...
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Why do we use it?
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’,...