There are good reasons for wanting to avoid probate court. It can be time-consuming: anywhere from several months to a few years. It can be expensive: add in lawyer fees and the estate can shrink quickly. It can be complicated: in cases with no will, the probate court uses the state’s laws of intestacy to […]
Consumer protection law refers to the patchwork, sometimes overlapping federal and state statutes that protect consumers from unlawful or abusive business practices. These laws are designed to deter unfair marketing strategies, violations of privacy, harassment, and outright fraud. Multiple federal agencies have their hands in consumer protection. The FDA regulates food and drugs. The FCC […]
Individuals intending to file for bankruptcy should steer clear of these five types of financial transactions: Avoid transferring money or property. Everyone wants to protect what they have, but money or property transfers made before filing for bankruptcy can get you into big trouble. This includes transferring money into another person’s account, removing your name […]
Bankruptcy is a multi-step legal process that plays out over a period of months or years, depending on the type of bankruptcy. A series of administrative filings need to happen in a predetermined order for the successful completion and discharge in a typical consumer bankruptcy case. In that sense, it’s more like a divorce than […]
Litigation occurs when a legal challenge is brought forth against the validity or execution of a trust or estate planning document. Disputes are usually between heirs, but can also arise between heirs and the executor or trustee. Disputes of this nature can be notably complicated. They often require multiple separate, but intertwined legal actions. Because […]
Filing for bankruptcy will not absolve an individual from filing his or her tax returns. With few exceptions, individuals must be current on filing their tax returns for the previous four years before they can file a Chapter 13 case with the bankruptcy court. Although there is no such express requirement imposed on an individual […]
