Dothan, AL Law Blog

September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. When you have a family member struggling with addiction, many things can seem more difficult. For instance, have you considered that, for those trying to support a family member struggling with addiction, estate planning can be particularly stressful? Let us discuss how to employ tools, such as trusts, to help plan for beneficiaries struggling with addictions.

When considering your plan for beneficiaries with addictions, there may be several things you should or should not do. For instance, you should think about how to avoid leaving an outright gift.
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Have you heard that World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21? It is an international campaign to raise Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness and challenge stigmas associated with these conditions. Every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia. Dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the most common types of dementia, responsible for up to 90% of cases.

For someone with dementia, it can be important to act quickly to set up a legal plan.
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Planning for incapacity may not always be on the forefront of our minds.  Have you thought about what will happen should you unexpectedly become incapable of managing your own affairs?  It can be important to confront this question and look at what tools you can put in place to protect yourself in the future. A strong durable power of attorney can be one such tool. Let us discuss three reasons to have a strong durable power of attorney in place.

1. Accidents happen.
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A strong durable power of attorney (DPOA) can be a powerful tool in managing financial decisions for those who are unable to do so for themselves. Did you know that “durability” means the authorization remains in effect after the principal is incapacitated? Let us discuss how a strong durable power of attorney can help you and your family. 

• Maintain control of your finances even when you cannot manage them. A strong DPOA appoints someone to manage your financial affairs when you become incapacitated.  

• This estate planning tool can make the transition of decision-making less disruptive.

July is finally here and summer is in full swing. For many, summer means that children are out of school, spending more time at home or engaging in extracurricular activities. While a fun and relaxing summer is important for minor children, unfortunately, minor children can be particularly vulnerable during this time of year. 

Accidents can happen at any time, and being prepared is one of the most effective ways to protect your children. To help keep your minor children safe and protected this summer, let us share with you a few key safety considerations.
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Selling a business requires careful planning. You may feel as if you have countless responsibilities which do not only include ensuring the sale takes place but also to get the best possible price for your business. Knowing why you are selling, when to sell, and for how much is critical.

Did you know, however, that there are additional things to consider? For example, planning sales and marketing push once you have developed an exit strategy could make your company much more attractive to buyers. You also want to know your market, your competition, and other location demographic information before you get started with the process.
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When you first think about a law firm, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Often, many of us think about associates or partners within the firm. Associates are attorneys who are paid as employees, and partners are senior attorneys with a financial stake in the firm. Do you know, however, what an “of counsel” attorney is? Many people have heard the term, but are mostly unfamiliar with what exactly an “of counsel” attorney’s role is within a law firm. 

An “of counsel” attorney refers to an attorney who is employed by a law firm but is not considered an associate or partner. The Read more . . .

Once you have an idea for a business, there are many important steps to take before you can officially open your doors. Deciding which type of corporate set up is right for you is one of the first, and perhaps most important, steps.  

The Internal Revenue Code allows for two different levels of corporate tax treatment. Subchapters C and S of the code define the rules for applying corporate taxes. Subchapter C corporations include most large, publicly-held businesses.
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Tax season is almost over and the April 15th filing deadline is in sight. There is still time, however, to maximize your deductions and try to lower your tax bill or increase your refund before the deadline arrives. To help you accomplish this, we want to share with you a few ways to make last minute filing as efficient and effective as possible.

First, have you contributed to yourRead more . . .

March is National Nutrition Month, and while everyone can benefit from eating healthy foods, seniors are particularly affected by their food choices.

A poor diet can disproportionately weaken the immune systems of seniors, causing fragile bones, tooth decay, and even decreased brain function. On the other hand, a nutritious diet packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fiber can help boost immune defenses and alleviate common senior concerns like constipation, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. A proper diet is also necessary to maintain a healthy body weight and elevate energy levels.