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The basic purpose of a bankruptcy exemption is to protect certain property from creditors. As such, exemptions play a very important role in the average bankruptcy proceeding. Some people wonder whether it is more beneficial to claim exemptions under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. The truth of the matter is that the exemption amount remains the same for both chapters. The only difference is in how the trustee treats the property. Take a further look at the exemptions offered by state law, and how they can help you stay afloat.

All businesses are interested in reducing their tax liability. In fact, this is the main reason business owners think long and hard about a company's structure before opening shop. The two most common ways of structuring a business include the corporation or the limited liability company, or LLC. However, there is one other important option on the table: the S Corporation. See how choosing an S Corporation can save you money when tax time comes.

If you have ever watched televised trials, you may have noticed the use of expert witnesses. In many cases, this occurs in civil cases, such as those involving a personal injury. However, expert witnesses are also very common in criminal matters. In fact, these experts can provide a lot of useful testimony to controvert the prosecution's take on the facts. Learn more about how an expert witness can be a benefit to your criminal defense efforts.

Wage garnishments are one of the most commonly used debt collection methods. This process usually begins when a creditor presents a garnishment order to an employer. A valid order requires an employer to withhold a certain amount of money from the employee's paycheck. The employer (via the payroll department) will transfer these funds to the creditor to satisfy the debt. This is a basic description of the process, however there is more to know about wage garnishments.

There is a lot of work to be done when you take on the role of executor. Undertaking the responsibility is both time-consuming and mentally exhausting. Even though you may feel it is your duty to perform the role, you may wonder whether there is any financial benefit. This short answer is yes. As an executor, you can receive payment for your efforts. Learn more about how executors may be compensated for their assistance in administering the estate.

What happens when a third party creates a condition that physically affects your property? This could be as simple as paving a surface that extends onto your property. Some people think this qualifies as trespass. More specifically, it is considered as an encroachment. If this type of act is causing you concern, you should know that you have legal rights to contest it. Learn what to do if you suspect that an encroachment on your property is occurring.

If you have been involved in a personal injury situation, you are probably wondering what your options are. Most likely, you will want to be represented by an experienced attorney to make sure that you are able to recover damages. However, how far can you realistically expect your case to go? In reality, this depends on a number of factors. In many cases, it can make more sense to opt for a settlement of the matter. Learn about the benefits associated with settling a case in place of litigating.

When you operate a business, it is critical that you choose the right business structure. This decision will have significant consequences on the future success of your company. In general, the type of structure will affect the way you operate on a daily basis and both your tax and personal liability. Many business owners opt for an LLC as a compromise between the two other common designations. See why this can be a benefit or disadvantage depending on your circumstances.

Situations can arise where one parent wants to put a child up for adoption without the other's consent. In one particular scenario, an unwed mother may consider doing so for a wide variety of reasons. The father of the child may object to this, but is unsure whether he has any rights in the process. This is a complex situation that likely requires the help of a custody lawyer. However, there are some general guidelines for fathers in this situation. Learn what type of parental rights may be maintained by a biological father in the face of adoption.

Some people choose to hold real estate in a trust instead of keeping it as a personal asset. In fact, there are many good reasons to make this decision. When you purchase (or subsequently transfer) real estate using a trust, you can maintain anonymity and avoid death taxes as well as probate. Property might also be held in a trust if there is more than one owner. Whatever the reason, it is important to know how to transfer such property when the settlor passes away. Learn how to comply with the requirements of estate law to get the property into the beneficiary's name.

When a couple with children divorces, there needs to be an agreement or order regarding child custody. Some parents are under the impression that the child is the one to make this decision. Others believe that the parents are in charge of determining the custody agreement. There is some truth to all of this, but the real decision is made by the family law judge. Learn how the wishes of each of these parties plays into the judge's final order.

If you are assuming the role of an estate executor, you have a lot of different tasks to deal with. One of these includes dealing with payable-on-death bank accounts. Many descendants will have certain bank accounts or investments with a payable-on-death designation. Once the owner passes away, the executor may be tasked with assisting the beneficiary in this regard. Learn how this process works according to estate law.