Alimony is not an entitlement. Ultimately, it is up to the discretion of the judge to decide on the final amounts so you might find yourself in a position where you do have to pay spousal support, sometimes more than you want to. Income is not the only criteria to decide on alimony or spousal support amounts. This depends on over a dozen factors in most states. As important as income is the spousal need. However, if you have done all your groundwork right and worked with good divorce attorneys and a reliable divorce mediator, you should end up with a fair deal.
Hiring a professional
DIY divorces may seem like a good idea at the time, saving you any outflow on lawyers. A caveat here is that while you could navigate the complicated filing yourself, the next steps aren’t as easy as you would imagine. negotiations are something experienced divorce attorneys are well trained in and extremely good at. They will serve your best interests at the negotiating table and will not let emotions derail the process. Without their counsel and skill, you may actually end up paying more in spousal support the long run and wipe out any savings you might have made during the divorce process.
Get a divorce attorney you can trust
Soldiering on with a divorce attorney or team you don’t think is good enough is not a good idea. If you feel your attorney is not what you expected or is incompetent – switch. Fail to do that and you may end up with a raw deal on spousal support and find yourself bogged down with huge payments. A divorce attorney who doesn’t have your best interests at heart will happily stand by and watch divorce mediation deteriorate waiting for the case to head to courts to rack up big legal bills for you.
Work with a divorce mediator
A divorce mediator will help you work out the gray areas. While basics like rent, food and clothing will be taken care off, it is the ‘extras’ like out of pocket medical expenses that you will need to negotiate on. By deciding on these areas out of court, you are much more in control and have a say in the final agreement. Not to mention the saved legal expenses. If you take your case to court, you will need to leave the decision on alimony to the discretion of the judge and lose that control you have.
Don’t forget about the taxman
There’s a third person in this divorce who is often ignored when working through financials. Be sure to consider all tax implications of whatever arrangement you come to on spousal support. If you don’t you may find yourself paying crippling amounts of taxes and living off very little even though the actual spousal support amount was what you had agreed on to begin with..
Discuss a time limit or other alimony options
Explore the option of temporary alimony to help you spouse get back into the workforce or stabilize financially. In some cases, a lump sum alimony may be what works better for you – discuss this option with your divorce attorney and financial adviser. Agree on a timeframe for alimony payment even if it is not court mandated.
Think of alternatives
You don’t always need to pay out huge sums in spousal support if you can come to some other agreement,. For instance, your spouse may be okay to accept a lower or temporary alimony if they get to keep the family home.
Gerald A. Maggio is an experienced Orange County divorce and family law attorney and family law attorney located in Irvine, California, serving the Orange County and Riverside areas. Mr. Maggio assists clients with legal issues including divorce, legal separation, divorce mediation, child custody, prenuptial agreements, stepparent adoptions, and other family law issues. Mr. Maggio has practiced law in California since 1999, and founded The Maggio Law Firm in 2005, focusing exclusively on divorce and family law matters.
“Doing your own tiling is kind of fun, but try to remember that before you tackle any type of home renovation you must do the research first. If you jump in, all gung-ho because you found some marvelous tile, but don’t measure first, you may find yourself in a real bind mid-project,” said Champion Tile & Marble owner/operator, Dean Dupre. “The little details of any project are just as, if not more so, important than buying the tiles. So, measure twice, lay it once and you’ll be a happy camper.”
Many DIY aficionados head out the door first thing to buy tile, but forget to purchase all the tools they need to do the job the right way the first time. Make a list. This cannot be emphasized enough. Lists get any eager homeowner out of a tough spot when they start a job on their own and discover they might not have everything they need. If it is written down, it gets purchased, and the job is bound to be done right.
“The thing about tiling jobs is that they hold many surprises and need more tools than one might suspect,” added Dupre. “Do not cheap out on the tools. That old axiom about getting what you paid for is true. Buy cheap and you end up having issues and likely replacing them, which is not too budget friendly.” In other words, take the time to do the preparation work before starting a project.
- What tools are needed for a DIY tiling job?
- Durable, accurate tape measure
- Goggles for eye protection
- Float to apply grouting
- Trowel for adhesive application
- Sturdy file to reshape tiles
- Tile cutters
- Spacers
- Clean up supplies (sponge) to remove overflow adhesive/grout
- Correct grouting for the job’s location and buy enough to complete the work
- Right glue/adhesive for the job and buy enough to complete the work
Most home handymen do not understand the need to start in the middle of the floor. They figure starting in a corner makes sense. “Not so. Houses rarely have completely straight walls. If the tiles are aligned with the walls, the result may look out of line and very unprofessional. Work from the center of the room out and cut, trim and file tiles as you proceed. It’s a much neater job,” added Dupre. “Just make certain to buy more tiles than you might need, just in case.”
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It’s best to have the help of a professional when creating a trust — you could end up making costly mistakes if you go the DIY route
The digital age provides us with many opportunities to write our own wills, create trust documents, transfer assets…Just log on to LegalZoom and….
Wait!
When it comes to legal matters, and particularly when it concerns one’s property and financial assets, it makes no sense to go the route of a do-it-yourself solution: forget those templates you found on the Internet, and the ‘will’ documents you can pick up at your local box store.
What’s needed, of course, is a thorough understanding of the consequences when you’ve chosen the wrong document, or forgotten to add pertinent details to legitimize your will, or trust, many years later.
In short, don’t wake up at the age of 70 to realize that when your wife died, you could’ve done something with her share of the assets to relieve the tax burden you’re now facing. Or, that you forgot to transfer that vacation home into the trust.
You thought you had a legitimate living trust…
First of all, both the will and a living trust are used to give directives on how you want your estate distributed upon your death. The former can be subject to probate, particularly with the ownership of out-of-state property, and becomes a part of the public record.
A living trust does not undergo probate proceedings, and if out-of-state property is involved, the trust also keeps that property from probate. Ultimately, the document remains a private affair without the fear of personal data becoming part of any public record.
So, why not use one of those quickie downloads to write your living trust?
Forbes Magazine Cautions about DIY Estate Planning
Take a look at a Forbes’ overview on just this topic and read about a real pickle someone got themselves into by following the DIY-route.
For sure, both the will and living trust can can designated to move assets from one owner to another, as Deborah L. Jacobs, a Forbes staff writer, points out. Moreover, count on the living trust to hold your assets via a trustee while you’re alive. Then, if you become unable to make your financial decisions, the trustee will step in to make such decisions for you.
Jacobs relates the unfortunate circumstances surrounding an individual’s decision back in 1984 to establish his own trust—a three-pager, to be exact. He included a newly purchased business in a 3-page document (trust), and even made sure to record the deed when he transferred his home into the trust.
Then, a big “oops!” occurred when he mistakenly dated the deed one year prior: 1983. Another big “oops” again when, in 2009, he paid off his mortgage and thought he could borrow against it: the title people said, sorry, but you “didn’t have a clear chain of title.”
By this time, 25 years after he set up his trust, he was 75 and realized he was in the proverbial pickle.
How did he solve his dilemma? It cost him about twice the amount to fix it than it would have if he’d simply sat down with an attorney to draw up the documents to begin with.
Trusts are not just for the ‘rich.’
Simply put, the documents are really that gold standard to protect what you’ve worked so hard to earn. What’s more, as noted in yet another Forbes overview:
“It can safeguard your assets should you no longer be able to handle your affairs, provide for children from a previous marriage, hold money for minors (ensuring they can’t spend it all the minute they reach majority); and prevent funds from being eroded by spendthrift family members. A trust can also protect assets from creditors and former spouses, whether yours or those of your heirs.”
Contact us. Let’s start the conversation about estate planning, and what needs to be done to carry out your future wishes.
The post Not All Living Trusts Are Created The Same appeared first on Estate Planning Lawyers | Elder Law Attorneys | Brighton | Novi | Livonia Elder Law Attorneys.
The post Not All Living Trusts Are Created The Same first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Flooring choices for environmentally conscious homeowners were once very limited. Today, however, the sky is the limit, or rather, the imagination is. Just about any type of green flooring conceivable, from bamboo to rubber to concrete, is readily available. A home can be a modern showcase of flooring that neither harms Mother Earth nor costs an arm and a leg.
But is concrete actually an indoor flooring option? Oddly enough, yes, concrete is becoming a very appealing choice because of its range of colors and the ability to customize, by stamping patterns into it or even using a circular saw. Color is not a limitation, as paints, stains, and dyes can create a whole spectrum of desired shades and hues for any given room in the house. But the major selling point is its durability. Even the relentless traffic of kids, pets and visitors can’t wear down a concrete floor.
If concrete is too bold an option, bamboo or even cork flooring are wonderful alternatives. They are not easily shredded and are far more resilient that people realize. For instance, bamboo is actually used as an alternative to hardwood and according to flooring experts, it is actually studier than hardwood. It appeals to homeowners who want their flooring to be both biodegradable and recyclable. Plus, bamboo has a renewal story that cheers that hearts of most green conscious people. It is rapidly renewable in its natural environment and, although light colored, it may be dyed or stained. Its ease of installation makes it a big hit with the DIY crowd.
Cork flooring, meanwhile, has an enviable reputation for being biodegradable, renewable and recyclable, also coming in a huge range of colors and sizes. No matter what the project, there is a suitable cork option. Installation is a snap and the finished product is appealing for several reasons: it acts as a natural thermal insulator, reducing heating costs, and is a comfortable surface to stand on.
Believe it or not, anyone can use eco-conscious tiles to create a floor of their choice. For instance, a creative renovator can lay cork and bamboo in a variety of ways. Experimentation is one of the best motivators for a unique floor design, so try using tiles creatively, mixing and matching, using thin and thick to contrast and using various colors.
This is not to say it is impossible to go wildly overboard with tile choices, but trying different approaches can make rooms come alive. Drawing out a pattern before actually laying the tiles can help avoid regrets once everything is glued in place. A tasteful, creative approach can make eco-conscious flooring into a beautiful part of the home.
The post For the Eco-Conscious Flooring Choices Are Eminently Exciting first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The Chromatic Mosaic Tile collection is unique because of the bubbling chrome used inside the tiles. The tiles are then sealed in colored, clear or smooth glass. When viewed from different angles, surfaces show changing highlights, reflections and refractions. It can help create a child’s fantasy world or add a certain zing to a recreation or bar room area in the basement. These tiles make a stunning focal point in the bathroom and kitchen, livening up the view and brightening any area where they are installed.
“Not everyone wants sparkle and glitter in their homes, but if you have kids that love princess fairy stories or belle-of-the-ball tales, the Chromatic Mosaic Tile collection might be just the right thing for their rooms. You only get to be a kid once, and these sparkly, jewel-colored tiles add a touch of whimsy to any child’s room,” said Dean Dupre, owner and operator at Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa Bay, Florida.
There are a number of ways to install these tiles, but by using large block placement, the different colors inside the glass tiles stand out quite clearly. If the renovation budget does not allow for many tiles, consider using fewer to create an elegant border in the bathroom or kitchen. Mixing and matching tiles lets creative installers work on their own custom designs. “You’d never be at a loss for color choices,” added Dupre, “and the collection features some very rich, deep colors to enhance a home.”
These tiles never rub off or fade, and they add charisma wherever they are featured in a home. Beautiful shades add depth to any room, and no two custom patterns created by the DIY installer will be the same.
The post Glass Mosaic Tiles Add Fanciful Glitter to a Home first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Hiring a professional can actually save you time and money. In addition, the work will be completed with minimal mess, uncracked tiles and well-applied grouting. You will be able to use your newly tiled room a lot sooner; pros lay the tiles right the first time.
Ask for a quote and an estimate of how long the project is expected to take. Professional tilers should be able to estimate the number of tiles needed and the amount of labor that will be involved. They will be able to source the right kind of tiles and grouting for you, including extra materials to protect themselves from delays from cracked or broken tiles.
There’s also nothing wrong with doing it yourself. Tiling on your own can be a lot of fun. Make sure you study the techniques you’ll need to make the job looks good when it’s done. Many DIYers, for example, forget about adding in a number of extra tiles to take care of the smaller pieces needed for the corners of a room and awkward spots that require handcutting.
Usually, it makes more sense to hire a tiling expert unless you enjoy the actual assembly process. Whichever you choose, your floor will look beautiful with a little planning.
The post Tiling: DIY or Go Pro? first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>These days it’s hot to trick out your décor or stage your home for a quick sale. Staging can make a huge difference in how fast a home sells, not to mention it may even increase the price some. The latest trend in staging is using reclaimed wood for just about everything, from floors to accessories. Called re-purposing, it’s catching on fast because it is eco-friendly and means hacking down fewer trees. People love the idea of using reclaimed wood for flooring and, of all things, furniture and home interior accessories with a twist.
Just be certain, if you want to have reclaimed wood in your home, that it is indeed “reclaimed.” As with many other things in this world today, there are even scam artists out to make buck off fake reclaimed flooring. Check your prospective purchase carefully to see if it is correctly labelled, meaning it should be certified as being from a reputable organization such as the Rainforest Alliance. When in doubt, don’t buy if it does not feel right for you.
You should also be aware that depending on where the reclaimed lumber came from there may be chemicals or toxins in the wood. Or, it may have been treated and prepared for reuse by the manufacturer. Reclaimed wood may have paints, insecticides, unknown chemicals, preservatives or adhesives and even lead in it. You don’t want to live with that in your home if you have inhalant allergies. Always make sure you find out where the wood came from and what is in it.
Don’t want to pay the price for reclaimed wood because of the labor and processing involved in obtaining it? You could DIY, particularly if you already have some experience in doing that kind of work. One thing’s for sure, you’ll likely fall in love with reclaimed flooring because the quality and durability is bar none the best.
Did you know that reclaimed woods can be even more durable than original, virgin wood, that has never been used before? That’s due to the fact that it comes from old-growth trees, not the younger ones. Some of the best reclaimed wood is from barns, a fact those with a love of the Western look find appealing. There’s just something about the rustic, old-fashion look that goes well with antiques, and staging designs that use reclaimed flooring or furniture, are noted for being colourful and eye-catching. That’s what versatility is all about.
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