Sunday, January 11, 2015

Criminal Records: Do You Qualify for Expungement?



Expungement is not the same thing as sealing. The terms are very close in meaning with subtle differences. However, an expungement means that the criminal record is erased as if they crime never happened. Sealing simply hides the record and make it no longer public information. This is important because each state has different laws that apply to each of these terms.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Living Will - Why it is More Important and Its Pros and Cons

A Living will, quite often you must have come across this term. But how many of us know its usage, its importance, advantages and disadvantages? There are many articles written on this topic. One can go and find out information from various sources. This article mostly features the important factors of living will, the basic idea behind its making as well as its advantages and disadvantages.

As the name says "living will", from its name it suggests that it has got something to do with legal document. Yes, a living-will is a document in which an individual writes about his/her medical wishes and desires. This document is converted into a legal document and is used during the time when an individual will no longer be able to take any decision due to incapacity or illness. In other words, this term is explained as advance health care directive, advance directives or advance decision.

An individual who has made such kind of advance directives, appoints a person so that he can take any decisions on their behalf. This kind of will is an oldest form of "leaving instructions for medical treatment". In today's world, concept of making such kind medical wish or desire on a legal document is quite encouraged. This legal document is benefited while giving comprehensive guidance regarding an individual's care.

Writing a living will has to be very specific. Therefore, in some cases it restricts the use of various kinds of burdensome treatment. Individual can also express their wishes on how his food and water will be supplied, either via medical devices or tubes. An individual can also be more specific regarding the service that he expects with respect to pain relief or analgesia, antibiotics, feeding, usage of ventilators or antibiotics.

Disadvantages of advance directives:

• Main disadvantage of an advance decision is; there is no statute in New York governing such kind of living-wills. Advance will is valid as long as it states specific and convincing evidence.
• Drafting out an advance will is not an easy job. It requires specific instructions regarding all possible events in future. It is impossible for one to imagine what an individual would really want in the situations.
• In case an individual fails to make his advance will specific and clear, then there could be refusal of treatment.

Advantages of advance directives:

• The main advantage of living will is that it respects the human rights of a patient.
• Drafting an advance directive creates full discussion on medical treatment and services.
• It helps the medical professionals to decide what the patient wants.
• A patient's family or relatives will be free from taking difficult decisions.

Once you decide to create such kind of legal document, you should not get confused in between an advance directives and a trust. Role of a trust is to handle the property/assets of an individual after his/her death. Trust has got nothing to do with the medical care decisions. In response to increasing improvement in the field of medicine, concept of an advance directive was implemented.

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Robert Eldridge holds over a decade of experience as a multiline agent in multiple states and currently serves on the membership council of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
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Friday, January 9, 2015

Roadblocks to Surpass When Starting an LLC Business

Some folks have a lot more excuses than reasons to start an LLC business. Some optimists would prefer to label them as roadblocks that serve well as challenges. Taking this perspective will help business owners persevere despite the challenges that come their way. Here are some of the roadblocks that anyone starting an LLC business in are likely to face:

- Bad economy

Even when the economy is good, you might still have reasons not to take the entrepreneurial jump. It is a fact, however, that opportunities abound even on a bad economy. The challenge is how to spot these opportunities so that your LLC business can flourish.

- Financing

Money is not always enough to start an LLC business, or elsewhere for that matter. Fortunately for those who wish to put up their own LLC, there are banks that offer financing instruments that could provide the necessary operating capital.

- Location

There will be no shortage of business-worthy locations as long as you are offering the right products and services in the right place where your customers are likely to be at. School fairs and carnivals would be ideal for a food kiosk or a novelty shop. Just be where your potential customers could possibly hanging out.

- Marketing plan

Of course, a big factor to consider in setting up your LLC business is your marketing plan. How are you going to promote your products and services to your customers? What messages would be compelling enough for them to buy your products or avail of your services? These are just a couple of questions you should ask yourself. The answers to these questions should be factored in when you draft your marketing plan.

- Suppliers

Most small businesses do not exist on their own. In most cases, you will have to rely on suppliers whether for your raw materials or for the products that you are going to distribute. Your partners in your LLC business are your suppliers. Make sure that you find those that can match your customer demand. If necessary, you should be able to find several suppliers to ensure that you will not run out of the products and services that you intend to sell to your customers.

- Number of employees to hire

Hire only based on what you can afford. Some new start ups would hire more employees than what they could afford on their budget. They hire people so they don't have to do all of the work themselves. If there are some tasks that you can do yourself, do it yourself for the meantime and keep whatever money you could instead of paying an additional employee who might not exactly be critical for the operations of your LLC business.

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Thursday, January 8, 2015

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

What You Should Know About Guardianships and Conservatorships

There is a lot of fear involved when a loved one becomes unable to care for himself. Whether it is a physical problem or a mental one, the stress and concern created will not just go away. Your loved one must be cared for and protected, both physically and financially. That is why conservatorships and guardianships are so important; they establish a system that allows you to manage the affairs of another individual who cannot manage for themselves. Here is a brief overview:

Conservatorships are for people who cannot manage their financial assets for whatever reason. If your loved one is not able to manage their own financial affairs, you can be appointed as their conservator. As a conservator, you will be given trustee status, which means you can handle financial affairs for them without their pre-approval. While you will not have any power over personal care decisions, you can choose to redistribute funds, invest in stocks, and even purchase property in order to protect the financial status of the afore mentioned individual. For those with mental handicaps or Alzheimer's disease, this type of conservatorship can be extremely helpful.

However, guardianships are quite different. While in a conservatorship, you are only responsible for the financial affairs of an individual, guardianships are for those individuals who are completely incapacitated. In other words, not only do they need someone to manage their money, but they cannot be responsible for their own general health or well-being either.

Guardians can either be nominated through a will or trust document or appointed by a court of law. In either case, the guardian is then responsible for the personal and public affairs of the incapacitated individual. This means that basics like food and shelter must be provided by the guardian for the individual, as well as medical treatment, assistance in money matters, and anything else that comes up. The individual (or ward) will no longer be allowed to enter into a contract of marriage, spend their own money, or make any financial or legal decision on their own behalf.

Legally, there are many reasons why an individual could require a guardian or conservator, such as mental illness, physical infirmities, substance addictions, or abuse situations. Each person is different and any legal decisions must be considered heavily before being put into action. The results of both guardianships and conservatorships are the same, however; safety and well-being for the individual in question.


Bret A. Telmonti suggests contacting estate litigation lawyer, Julia C. McBride if you need information regarding estate planning, guardianship, or conservatorship matters. He also highly praises Julia as a knowledgeable trust litigation attorney [http://www.estatelitigationattorney.com/our-practice/estate-trust-litigation].
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Monday, January 5, 2015

LLC Or Corporation - Which is Best For My Business?

Both the LLC and corporation are legal entities that provide liability protection for their owners. While the corporation has been around longer, the limited liability company was created to offer the same level of protection. However, an LLC is designed specifically to cater toward the small business owner. It offers the same liability protection as a corporation but allows a much more simple operational structure with a lesser number of formalities.

LLC v. Corporation - TAX MATTERS

The limited liability company offers more tax choices than a corporation. Owners of an LLC can elect for profits to be taxed pursuant to a pass through structure (single layer of taxation) or pursuant to a C corporation (double taxation) or S corporation structure (single taxation but with many requirements and ongoing compliance requirements).

The corporation only has the choice of C corporation or S corporation taxation. Small business owners many times prefer the LLC pass through taxation because it allows them to avoid double taxation of profits and in many cases be able to take business losses to reduce taxes from other income WITHOUT having to worry about meeting a laundry list of S corporation requirements.

While the S corporation structure is available to both types of entities, it only allows a certain # of owners, all owners must be persons (so no entities) and US or permanent residents of the United States. There are other requirements as well so check with your accountant for the specific details.

As a business evolves, things change and with an S corporation tax status, you always need to be on top of the latest S corporation requirements. The failure to meet a requirement, even if accidental, can result in disastrous tax liability and penalties.

The S corporation can have some tax benefits over the standard pass through when it comes to self employment. In these cases, you have the option of S corporation taxation with either the LLC or corporation.

LLC v. Corporation - OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE COMPARISON

An LLC also gives an LLC business much more flexibility when it comes to ownership structure. The LLC laws allow for the company to tailor what each owner gets in terms of voting control and distributions.
 The corporation has a set ownership structure. Ownership is defined by a share of stock and each share of stock provides a set right when it comes to voting and profits rights. The LLC can choose this standard structure but does have the flexibility to customize it if needed without having to create multiple classes of ownership.

Accordingly, an LLC is more attractive when it comes to bringing in investment capital or services partners because it offers more options to address specific business situations.

LLC v. Corporation - MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

In addition, a limited liability company can have a very simple single layer of management (known as member-managed) or the management structure can be structured with a central governing body (manager managed).

When it comes to operations, the LLC is not required to meet the same level of formalities and paperwork as a corporation.

The corporation laws generally impose a set management structure for a corporation which requires a Board of Directors as a central body of management. In addition, in most states, there are required meetings and certain governance documents that must be entered into each year.

While it is still recommended that an LLC have some simple governance paperwork to document major business decisions, it is comforting to know that the laws do not require it for the legal entity to qualify as an LLC and get LLC benefits.

In deciding LLC or corporation, the LLC offers the same management structure imposed upon for a standard corporation but also allows for a much simpler one or a more complex one if needed to protect investors or the business.

SUMMARY

Given the simplicity and flexibility of the limited liability company, the LLC was designed to offer all the benefits of a corporation but without the disadvantages. As a result, the number of LLC formations each year greatly surpass incorporations when it comes to small businesses.

However, there are some situations where the corporation may be the better entity choice. If you plan on taking your business public with an initial public offering, you should use a corporation. Also, if your business requires professional company investors such as venture capitalists, the venture capitalists will generally require that your business be a corporation.

As noted above, the decision of LLC or corporation depends on your specific situation and the best person to advise you is a competent attorney after having met with you to discuss your particular circumstances.

For a more in-depth discussion about the LLC or Corporation comparison of for a FREE LLC GUIDE, visit The LLC Learning Center at http://www.TheLLCExpert.com
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Sunday, January 4, 2015

5 Reasons to Have a Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal instrument which allows a nominated person to make legal and financial decisions on behalf of someone else. You can imagine the problems that occur with administering the financial affairs of an ageing parent, who suffers from the onset of dementia. They are incapable of making rational decisions and are in danger of losing assets with a simple signature on a document they no longer have the ability to understand.

You can avoid the added problems which can arise as one grows older, especially in cases like dementia, by granting a power of attorney to a trusted family member. It is not just a matter of common sense, it can be vitally important for the peace of mind of the family, and can bring some rationality to an otherwise trying period of life.

But before going any further let's list the major reasons for having a Power of Attorney in the first place.

  • Loss of Mental Capacity. As outlined above, dementia in old age is a common occurrence and one that should be planned for far in advance. Having a Power of Attorney in place can circumvent the problems that arise and safeguard the assets of the affected person. When a family sits down and discusses all the ramifications it is easy to come to an agreement as to how a Power of Attorney can be set up to satisfy everyone's concerns.
  • Ramifications when there is no Power of Attorney. In the event of loss of mental acuity in old age for example, if a person is deemed to be incapable of making rational decisions then control of that person's assets will have to be determined by a court of law. In such cases, where there is no Power of Attorney instrument to rely upon, the court may appoint a government department to administer the person's affairs. This can place hardship on other family members and cause great distress and delays in day to day of management issues.
  • Financial and Legal Matters. A Power of Attorney not only covers the control of financial matters but also any other legal issues that may arise. This can involve the signing of contracts or assigning beneficiaries to a superannuation fund payout or other such matters. A Power of Attorney is a flexible instrument that makes everyday life as easy as it should be.
  • Timing Matters. An enduring Power of Attorney can only be signed, when a person is of sound mind and health. After the onset of a mental disability, a Power of Attorney can no longer be signed, so it is important that you make the decision as early as possible, to avoid these difficulties.
  • Another important benefit is that the power to sign documents can be granted by people of sound mind, when they are unavailable to do so themselves. For example, having someone empowered to sign mortgage documents, whilst you are unavailable overseas.

By granting a Power of Attorney, a person does not lose control over their assets, rather they just ease the process of decision-making in the event of later mental illness or incapacity. The benefits that accrue far outweigh any other concerns and your solicitor will explain everything to you, so that there is no misunderstanding. That way you can live with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your affairs will always be under control.

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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Incorporating a Business and Articles of Incorporation

The most important legal document that your business may ever file is that of your articles of incorporation. This document outlines the way in which your business is to be structured as well as its purpose for operation. It states the guideline of rules in which the company must operate. The articles of incorporation must be drawn up and submitted at the time of incorporation and will state where you plan for your business to go in the future.

Generally speaking, standard articles of incorporation will include the full name of your new corporation as well as the name of its owners, board of directors, and its intended management structure. Along with this will be specific state by-laws and regulations that must be adhered to by the company's officers. Also stated is whether you plan to issue stocks and make the company one that is publicly traded, or if you intend on keeping it privately held. If shares of the corporation are to be sold, this document will list the amount that will be issued. It is also required to list the address for the company's registered office.

Whether you decide to incorporate your business in order to acquire investors or for tax purposes you will need to file articles of incorporation. This document will be used to state specifically in what type of business the company intends to engage. Also included will be your company's plan for reporting profits as well as the accounting period that will be used for paying taxes. Depending on the type of corporation your are forming, you can decide whether to add INC, Corp, or LLC to your businesses name. Part of the incorporation process is that of the articles of association. This mandatory document defines the rules and regulations that governs company's board of directors and its shareholders.

Although it is possible to later make amendments to your articles of incorporation, you will want to file them correctly. Completing them properly the from the start will not only save you money, it will help to avoid any delays in the incorporation process. Due to this fact, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced corporate lawyer. This will insure the corporation's compliance with state laws. Provided that you feel confident in preparing your own documents, there are templates available online and at your local library that will assist you in this process.

There are several benefits of incorporating your business. Once the articles of incorporation are properly filed with the secretary of state, your new corporation effectively becomes a separate legal entity. The business may be eligible for certain tax deferrals or deductions. A shareholders liability is limited to the amount that they have invested in the corporation and they cannot be held accountable for the debts that the corporation has incurred. A corporation also has the ability of continuance beyond a particular ownership. Typically, corporations have a superior ability of raising capital which can lead to the future growth of your company.

How to Start a Business. The website offers advice and business planning.
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Friday, January 2, 2015

Top Legal Separation Questions

Legally, there is a difference between separation and divorce. However, this difference is not always clear to couples facing marital problems. Each state has its own laws regarding legal separation, and this can make it all the more confusing, giving rise to questions like the ones below.

What Is a Legal Separation?

A legal separation is when a married couple files and lives apart while still married. This is sometimes the first step couples take before a divorce. Many times couples chose to go this route before filing for a divorce because it also gives the couple an opportunity to reconsider and reconcile. This is a great opportunity to also split assets and come to terms and agreements prior to a divorce.

What Is the Difference Between Separation and Legal Separation?

A separation is when a married couple decides to live in different homes. To be considered legal the couple will file for separation in a court and get a certificate. Without this, while a couple may split up, there is no legal recognition or record of any agreement.

How Long After Separation Do You Need to Keep the Spouse's Belongings?

In most cases, the legal separation agreement stipulates this duration, if at all. If the agreement does not specify duration, you should get legal clarification from court and get the court to set an official duration for which you need to keep your spouse's belongings.

Bankruptcy and Separation

Regardless of your marital status, it is always advisable to be completely honest with the court when you file a bankruptcy claim. Since laws vary from state to state, your marital situation and income of each spouse can impact the bankruptcy claim. For this reason alone, it is advisable to declare your marital situation while filing a claim for bankruptcy.

Protecting Yourself and Children Financially During Legal Separation

There are provisions to file for spousal maintenance. This can provide a financial cover for you and your children and ensure that you are not living below your means and resources. To ensure that the maintenance is properly documented and filed with the court, you should include this in the legal separation itself when filing. Legal advice may be needed through a family law attorney.

Legal separation can be a stressful and traumatic experience. It also has many legal implications that can be quite complex depending on your specific situation and even the state you file. It is always better to get an expert legal opinion and make sure you take the leg correct course.

If you have specific questions you need clarified, you can ask lawyers on JustAnswer. The author is a staff writer at www.justanswer.com, a site that lets you ask experts and get answers quickly, easily and affordably. Ask your legal separation questions and get answers A.S.A.P when you Ask Experts at JustAnswer.
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Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy New Year!

Wishing You and Your Family a Wonderful Year Ahead!

Happy New Year from By The People!