Over the years in my legal practice I have noticed that, much as I would wish, advise, and preach to the contrary, most of my business law clients come to the firm, not because they have recognized a need and seek to avoid or prevent some problem or event from happening, but in response to that problem or event after it has occurred. In other words, the demand for our legal services is reactive, not preventative.

A few quick pointers on how to use Google (or Bing or Yahoo, Firefox, etc) for legal information. - Do’s: 1. Do: Use Google for a quick definition of terms. Be aware it is best to have a law degree and several years experience to fully understand the ramifications of the definition.

An understandable, but false, assumption of some potential law firm clients is that a small case will cost less than a big one. After all, if I buy a small coffee I expect to pay less than I would pay for a larger size, so why do legal fees not adjust to the size of the case? Well, first of all, they do in some cases. Legal fees can track the size of the deal in transactional matters; that is, where the parties are negotiating a deal and entering into contracts re same.

Method 1: Spousal Joint Property Transfer. Spouses can, and often do, own the family home as joint tenants. Joint tenancy, sometimes called joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, is a joint ownership method that allows your property to transfer to a spouse as soon as the other dies.

Tip 1: Consider your children when creating your estate plan. For many people who have children from previous marriages or relationships ensuring that their children receive an inheritance is a chief concern when they create their estate plan.

If you don't write a will, North Carolina's intestacy laws pre-determine who inherits your property. You should also know that any will you leave behind must meet all state requirements or else a court will declare it invalid and intestacy laws will apply to your estate as well. These laws give your property to your relatives depending on who is still alive after you die. Let’s take a look at a few scenarios.

Once a person dies leaving behind property, someone has to take on the responsibility to manage that property and then transfer it to new owners. This person, known as an administrator or an executor, has a special duty to protect the estate property and to see the decedent's wishes are followed.

Section 11.118 of the Revised Code of Washington, governs pet trusts. Pursuant to this code section Washington State law allows individuals to set up trusts for the care of their pets. Animal or pet trusts are similar to trusts for children. You must appoint a competent adult to take care of your animal, just as you would for a child.

In a few states, including Texas and Kansas, adopted children can inherit from their biological parents through state intestacy laws in the absence of a Will but parents cannot inherit from the children they gave up through adoption if the child does include them in their will.

Many people decide that they would like to provide for charitable organizations when they are making long-term financial plans. This can be personally rewarding of course, and there are often tax benefits to be gained through philanthropic efforts.