While many people enjoyed the thrill of Black Friday and other holiday shopping steals this past weekend, more and more people are turning to online shopping for their gift-giving. And why not? You can shop, even at midnight, wearing your jammies! No waiting in lines or looking for an open register. You can comparison shop, […]
Orlando, Florida, October 26, 2015 – The Orlando Law Group (OLG) is pleased to announce the official grand opening of its third location, having recently opened an office on the corner of Lake Underhill Road and Alafaya Trail in Waterford Lakes. To be held December 3, the grand opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony […]
Knowing your rights at work is of great importance; it ensures that both parties, employers and employees, are adhering to current government laws. However, it can sometimes be tricky knowing how many hours (by law) you can work in a week? Or how many days holiday your employees are actually entitled to? Within each company […]
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” G.K. Chesterton For most of us Thanksgiving conjures up all sorts emotions. For many of us, it’s a holiday – a little pause from the daily grind. The kids are off school. The banks are closed […]
Coming up with a great invention idea is fantastic, however trying to figure out what next steps to take isn’t always easy! The United States Patent and Trademark Office doesn’t technically patent ideas, however it’s easy to get around this with the right application materials. Let’s look at how to patent your idea and get […]
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The holidays are often synonymous with the idea of traditions. Traditions are those little rituals that are passed down from generation to generation. For many people, traditions give a sense of unity, warmth and closeness. Oftentimes their consistency represents security. That can be a little disconcerting if you’re in the midst of or have recently […]
Along with the countless other things a start-up has to deal with when setting up a company, there is the major decision of how the company should trade legally. Establishing it correctly at the outset is crucial and could eliminate many issues along the way. It could also have profound implications for the financial future […]
Orlando, Florida, October 26, 2015 – The Orlando Law Group (OLG) is pleased to announce the official grand opening of its third location, having recently opened an office on the corner of Lake Underhill Road and Alafaya Trail in Waterford Lakes. To be held December 3, the grand opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and […]
Have you ever wondered why Halloween is such a widespread, holiday favorite? Free from a lot of the tradition and family expectation that accompanies other major holidays, it’s the one time of the year that seems to bring out the kid in all of us. From young to old, Halloween seems to appeal to everyone. […]
Embarking on a new business venture or project can often be a difficult and stressful period for a business owner. This can often be made even worse due to a lack of sufficient planning to guide them through the turbulence. In my many years in business I’ve learnt than nothing is more important than planning […]
October. The rest of the country might be sipping Pumpkin Spice Lattes and watching the colors change to oranges; but around here, it’s a time to THINK PINK! Pink ribbon, that is. According to the American Cancer Society, Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States (other than skin cancer). Nearly […]
Divorce is not the most fun thing in the world. There’s usually hurt and sometimes anger, which is to be expected. The divorce process can either go easily with mutual respect, or it can create bitter feelings and hurt everyone who is involved. Divorce does not have to be, nor should it be a destructive […]
Corporate scrutiny over the past few decades has shown us the rising importance of non-profit partnerships. However, many non-profits fail to secure valuable corporate partnerships because they don’t frame it the right way. Here are some things a non-profit need to do to form a successful corporate partnership: You want to be clear on the […]
Over the last two decades, the percentage of couples divorcing in their 50’s and 60’s has risen from three to almost thirty percent. Sociologists have a term for people in their 50’s and 60’s who are divorcing. They coined the term “gray divorce”. Baby boomers are living longer and more of them are divorcing. This […]
The two main classes of digital assets are 1) any online account that requires a username and password; or 2) any file stored in places including an individual’s computer, mobile phone, server, local DVD or CD-ROM, SD card or at online storage sites. Online Accounts If the client is the only person who has access […]
A new law in Florida relating to members of the military states that if a parent is activated, deployed, or temporarily assigned to military service on orders in excess of 90 days, the parent may designate a family member, a stepparent, or a relative of the child by marriage to engage in time-sharing on the […]
People who are normally kind and in tune with their emotions revert to fighting children, figuratively, sometimes literally, scratching, punching, and pulling each other’s hair. Even where there is no obvious conflict, it seems that nearly every family has some amount of tension permeating just beneath the surface as they address family inheritance issues. Stories […]
When you meet with your Estate Planning lawyer, initially, they may ask you some of these questions: “Do you own a home?” “Do you own a business?” “Are you married?” The fact gathering necessary in an initial interview does not always allow the sort of leisurely chat friends would have over coffee. It’s important for […]
It’s almost summer again, at least it’s starting to feel like it in Florida. Kids look forward to summertime; having fun, outdoor activities and most importantly, no school. While all that usually comes with summer break for kids, depending on the circumstances, it can be a hard time for kids of divorced parents. Typically, children […]
As Veterans age, they must face many long-term care and elder law issues, such as finding ways to pay for home care, assisted living or nursing home care. While Medicaid may pay for nursing home stays, it may not pay for assisted living or home care. This is where the Veterans Administration Pension or also […]
A Buy-Sell agreement is pertinent to many different types of businesses. Today we will just talk specifically about doctors. Medical practices are different from other businesses, because there is usually a lot of income made, and it’s not a family business that you can pass on to your heirs, unless of course they become doctors […]
Parents do not like to think about needing a guardian for their children. Unfortunately, we have no control over the time of our deaths but we do have control over whether we plan for them. A very important part of your estate plan is the nomination of a guardian for your minor children. If, before […]
It’s important to know what debt collection agencies can and cannot do. Knowledge is power, and that’s true for any situation. Not only can you use your knowledge of these laws to protect yourself from harassment, but if a collector violates one of these laws, you may be able to: use the violation to negotiate […]
You should be aware of the perils of using social media during a divorce or will be involved in a court case for custody, co-parenting and assets. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, personal blogs and tons more online sites are a part of pretty much everyone’s lives these days. All social media establishes a record […]
The United States offers many educational opportunities for citizens of other countries. Educational visas, also known as student visas, give non-immigrant students from other countries the ability to stay in the United States long enough to enroll in and finish an educational program. When the program is finished, the international student must return home. The […]
Estate planning for blended families is complex and it requires a watchful eye and a delicate touch. Clients in blended families should understand that there are important additional issues unique to them that must be addressed, like how to properly provide for their spouse without accidentally disinheriting their own kids. If there are minor kids, […]
By law your filing status is determined as of the last day of the calendar year. You are considered unmarried for the whole year if, on the last day of the tax year, you are unmarried or legally separated from your spouse as determined by a divorce or separate maintenance decree. So if your divorce […]
Rules Regarding Confidentiality Employees have a Section 7 right to discuss wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with fellow employees and other nonemployees, including union representatives. The confidentiality provisions of employee handbooks can thus violate the law if not artfully prepared. Rules prohibiting the discussion of the “terms and conditions of employment” […]
When a couple decides to divorce, sometimes one spouse moving out right away is not an option, for financial reasons, or to wait until the marital house sells. Though this living arrangement certainly would not work in all relationships, it can if the terms of the divorce are amicable enough to last another few months […]
A clear plan for the transfer of assets is crucial to the success of any estate plan. But our best plans will fall far short of expectations if the trusts are never properly funded. Here’s an analogy: If the trust is the car, the funding is the fuel. Without gas in the tank, that beautiful […]
The time right after a divorce can be tough. You are essentially starting a new chapter in your life. Moving on after divorce can be adifficult concept for many people. It’s important to stay optimistic and keep good friends around you, a support system is crucial atthis place in your life. Here are a few […]
If you’re recently divorced, you’ll need to change most of your legal documents. I know, paperwork is the last thing on your mind, but it will avoid frustrating situations down the road. Here are seven legal documents you should change as soon as possible after your divorce papers are signed: 1. Powers of Attorney Besides […]
Whenever an Independent Trustee may distribute assets to or for the benefit of a beneficiary, our Trustee may appoint the property subject to our Trustee’s power of distribution in trust for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries of any trust created under this instrument under the terms established by the Independent Trustee. Any trust […]
The Income Tax Reduction Trust is a type of trust specifically authorized by the Internal Revenue Code. These irrevocable trusts permit you to transfer ownership of assets to the trust in exchange for an income stream to the person or persons of your choice (typically you, your spouse or you and your spouse) for life […]
Divorce is not the most pleasant experience. It represents an end to something that was once, presumably happy, and the process can lead to hurt feelings. When there are children involved, they may feel isolated and confused. There is often times heartbreak and there may be a lot of pain, but going through a divorce […]
Estate planning increasingly includes some form of charitable giving. During the last three decades, wealth ballooned in the United States, but affluent clients tended to increase their charitable transfers more than their family inheritances. According to John Havens of the Boston College Center on Wealth and Philanthropy: “Reports from the IRS indicate that charitable giving […]
If you have a revocable living trust, you probably named yourself as trustee so you can continue to manage your own financial affairs. But eventually someone will need to step in for you when you are no longer able to act due to incapacity or after your death. Because successor trustees have a lot of […]
LLCs generally work best for: Businesses with a limited number of owners, that are actively up and running. At about 35 owners of the business, at a maximum, the logistics of making collective business decisions are manageable. New small businesses. Sometimes, new businesses want to pass early-year losses along to it’s owners to deduct against […]
One huge reason homeowners are unable to buy and sell property are title defects which cause fights over lien priority. An experienced lawyer can help you work through lien priority disputes through quiet title actions, negotiations, or litigation. Income Taxes: When you forget to pay your taxes, an IRS tax lien arises automatically. This lien […]
Most people do not realize how common disability is, or how likely it is that they will become disabled at some point during their working career. In fact, studies show that one in three 20-year-old workers will become disabled at some point before they reach their full retirement age. For those workers who do become […]
Not many parents like to talk to their children about their wealth. How much money people have is usually considered a private matter, something it’s not polite to talk about. But not talking to your children about how much they may inherit can leave them unprepared to handle even a modest amount. This is becoming […]
These days, more people are living single than ever before. In 1970, just about one- third of Americans 15 and older were single, according to U.S. census data. Today, that number’s closer to 50 percent. Whether never married, divorced or widowed, singles need to pay just as much attention to their estate planning as married […]
We are now in the holiday season. Think of that Norman Rockwell perfect Christmas, family and friends getting together. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. That is the ideal. What is the reality? Actually, the holidays are very stressful times. I have found over the years that many people will come to me to file […]
Divorced, Remarried, or Widowed? Why Your Estate Plan Needs Extra Attention Blended families are more common than ever. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 2.4 million stepchildren lived in American households in 2021. That number highlights just how many families are navigating remarriage, stepchildren, and extended family ties, and why careful estate planning is […]
Lawyers can use “cloud computing” to provide software and store records but must take reasonable steps to ensure than information remains confidential, according to a suggested Bar ethics opinion. As the proposed opinion notes: “Because cloud computing involves the use of a third party as a provider of services and involves the storage and use […]
