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Many Americans care for elderly parents or relatives as they advance into their latter years. When undertaking this responsibility, it is important to inform yourself about all the aspects of elder law and end of life law. One law that you may be unfamiliar with is the Older Americans Act, or OAA. This is federal legislation that assists people over the age of 60 years old. Learn what services are provided by the OAA, and how it provides important resources to your elderly family members.

Dealing with the loss of a spouse is never an easy experience. Yet, aside from the emotional trauma, you'll also have to deal with the property left by your loved one. It is not uncommon for a spouse to pass away while having a retirement account, such as an IRA. This type of account can be inherited by the surviving spouse. Learn about the special rules involved when you stand to inherit the proceeds of an IRA.

Divorce proceedings can present huge obstacles for almost anyone. It is even more so the case when one of the parties is a green card holder. A person in this situation has some special considerations when it comes to divorce. This is especially true when the marriage itself was the basis for the person's legal status. Learn what you need to know before a divorce as a lawful permanent resident.

If you have been looking for information about wills, you may have come across the "self-proving" will. This is like any other will, but it has one additional component. In estate law, a self-proving will has a sworn statement attached. This statement is created by the witnesses who observe the signing of the will. As such, these wills have an extra layer of security when it comes to proving its validity. See what else you should know about self-proving wills in the state of Utah.

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.