The needs of women have been changing dramatically over the past several years. Gone are the days when a woman was expected to stay home and live on an “allowance” if her husband chose to give her one. Instead, so many women today have their own jobs, their own finances, and their own desire to protect their assets. In addition, women typically live longer than men. [Read More]
Estate Planning and Divorce in Northwest Iowa
A divorce—also called a dissolution of marriage—can take a fairly long time (months or even years) to complete. And when a divorce is imminent, meeting with an estate planning attorney in Northwest Iowa is likely not at the top of anyone’s list of things to do. But, it very well should be. [Read More]
High Five Infographic: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your Will
We accidentally double posted our “5 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your Will” this month, but it gave us the idea for an infographic. Check it out in the post! [Read More]
High Five: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your Will
Not surprisingly, online do-it-yourself legal services have a huge customer base, likely because they are cheaper and more convenient than using a local lawyer. Sites like LegalZoom say you can “get a will” that’s the same as what you get from the lawyer down the street. But, unfortunately, DIY or form wills are prone to any number of problems which cause your estate to be divided incorrectly, your probate to be administered inefficiently, or your wishes to be completely ignored. [Read More]
Estate Planning for Single Parents in Northwest Iowa
Single parents tend to work hard for their children. Every day it falls to the single parent to provide just about everything for his or her children, and with 13 million single parent households in the US, there are a whole lot of folks doing their best to provide everything their children need today. So it’s no wonder that those in Northwest Iowa want to protect the children they would leave behind should they be killed or become incapacitated. [Read More]
Who Really Needs a Business Lawyer in Northwest Iowa?
To the average person, the term “business lawyer” or “corporate lawyer” may sound like something that only exists on Wall Street. In reality, though, nearly every business in Northwest Iowa can and should use the services of a good business lawyer. This means large and small businesses alike. [Read More]
Estate Planning for College Graduates in Iowa
Now that you’ve earned your college degree, you may not feel like you have anything to “protect” through estate planning. After all, the stereotype of the “starving college student” got started for a reason! But, even if you leave college with a load of student loans and an entry-level job (or hopes of one), you will do yourself a favor by spending just a little time doing some basic estate planning here in Northwest Iowa. [Read More]
High Five: 5 Big Differences between Wills and Trusts
The most common question I get asked in our Mutual Interview is, “What’s the difference between a will and a trust?” The answer is based on the way each gets treated while you’re living and after you die. Whether you choose one or the other depends on your goals for your plan. [Read More]
High Five: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your Will
Not surprisingly, online do-it-yourself legal services have a huge customer base, likely because they are cheaper and more convenient than using a local lawyer. Sites like LegalZoom say you can “get a will” that’s the same as what you get from the lawyer down the street. But, unfortunately, DIY or form wills are prone to any number of problems which cause your estate to be divided incorrectly, your probate to be administered inefficiently, or your wishes to be completely ignored. [Read More]
