According to recent survey data, less than half of Americans 18 and older are married. For unmarried or cohabiting couples, estate planning is significantly different than it is for married couples. Whether you've been living together for years and have no intention of getting married, or simply want to take precautions in case the unthinkable should happen, here are three tips you can use if you are a cohabitating couple with concerns about estate planning.

If you've experienced the death of a close family member, you may have to soon confront the prospect of beginning the probate process. Though the process is slightly different depending on where you live, beginning a probate case involves several key steps and requirements.

For any adult child who is facing the decision whether or not to petition to become his parent’s legal guardian, feelings of conflict are normal. Being appointed as your parent’s guardian is the ultimate in role reversal. Many adult children feel as though seeking guardianship means taking away your parent’s independence. Concerns that you may be over-reacting are also common.

Creating a comprehensive estate plan is a complicated undertaking and requires a thorough understanding of all the myriad tax laws that will impact your plan. This can be difficult under normal circumstances. In an election year, it becomes increasingly difficult as the fate of many tax laws is uncertain. This is not, however, the time to become complacent. Doing nothing could cost you a substantial amount in taxes.

In an effort to reduce criminal activity, California adopted a sentencing scheme known as the Three Strikes law. Under this statute, felony offenders who receive three convictions are automatically sentenced to life in prison by state courts. Supporters applaud the law and its effects on crime levels, but critics call for change in light of the thousands of prisoners serving life terms for nonviolent crimes.

Dogs are commonly referred to as man’s best friend, yet each year 4.5 million people are bitten by the animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of the victims of these attacks are children, which leads some parents to wonder if owning dogs puts their little ones at risk of serious harm.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed the no-fault insurance bill into law. With Scott’s signature, auto insurance premiums are likely to stay exactly where they are now: high. Gov. Rick Scott has signed the no-fault insurance bill into law, as Brendan Farrington reports for the Associated Press. With Scott’s signature, auto insurance premiums are likely to stay exactly where they are now: high.

Many people are confused about how an individual is charged with obstruction of justice because the definition of this crime is very broad. One of the most famous and widely publicized instances of obstruction of justice involved President Clinton and his attempt to delay, cover up and conceal evidence in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit.

The definition and responsibilities of an ERISA fiduciary compared to an ERISA settlor form the basis of a recent New York Court of Appeals ruling in Federal Insurance Co. v. IBM Corp., 2012 N.Y. LEXIS 311 (N.Y. Feb. 21, 2012). - Background on the Distinction between an ERISA Fiduciary and Settlor - The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) establishes legal and operational guidelines for private pension and employee benefit plans.

In recent years, the rate at which technology has developed is mind boggling. Just a generation ago, the internet was virtually non-existent. Today almost anything can be located and viewed on the internet, giving rise to privacy concerns for many people. Are your estate documents public information?