Blog
Estate Planning at Different Life Stages
One of the questions we frequently hear at the law firm is, “when should I start my estate planning – is there a specific age or timeframe?” Our answer is that estate planning is for everyone; it just depends on your needs. Below, we take a look at some specific...
Halloween 2020: Ideas for Fun and Safe Celebrations
If ever there was a holiday made for a pandemic, it would be Halloween! Consider this: those who brave haunted houses and mazes try to stay away from zombies and ghosts, therefore social distancing. Children collect individually wrapped treats, thus cutting down on...
The Spooky Truth about Your HOA & Halloween Decorations
For many homeowners, the cooler weather means it’s time to start putting up fall and Halloween decorations, both inside and outside their house. But before you put out the harvest décor and re-create your favorite Halloween scenes on the front yard, be sure to check...
Do I Need A Probate Lawyer?
You have been appointed as personal representative of your loved one’s estate. What is the first step? Do you need to hire a lawyer? The answer is: it depends. The decision to hire or not hire an attorney is one that should be carefully considered, considering all of...
What Happens If You Can’t Find Someone’s Will?
What Happens If You Can’t Find Someone’s Will? Imagine that you’re an estate executor or a family member, and you need to begin the probate process. But when it comes time to submit their Last Will and Testament, you cannot find the document. You’re not sure whether...
Intra-Family Loans: Lower Rates, Higher Risks
Intra-Family Loans: Lower Rates, Higher Risks Small business owners who are trying to keep their restaurants, shops, and companies afloat during the coronavirus health crisis have started turning to their families for loans. Grandparents, parents, siblings, and...
Should You Split Your Children’s Inheritance Evenly?
The idea of dividing up your estate between your children can be daunting. Does it make sense to split everything equally? Or should you consider a different arrangement? Also, how might your choices today affect your children in the future? In Brian M. Douglas &...
The Law of Unintended Consequences: A DNR May Prevent Coronavirus Treatment
As a law firm, we’re used to researching and addressing laws on a daily basis. But there’s one law you might not find in our collection of legal books, and that’s the Law of Unintended Consequences. The Law of Unintended Consequences is a socio-economic term. It can...
CARES Act: Support Your Community and Receive a Tax Deduction
With new information coming out daily about the coronavirus and its effects, it’s easy to tune out the noise. But there’s one piece of virus-related information you don’t want to ignore — how the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act could...
What should you do if your neighbor’s tree overhangs or falls on your yard?
Summers in Georgia can mean hot temperatures, lots of wildlife, and a series of pop-up storms. Some of those storms can get quite violent, leading to flash flooding and downed trees. With Metro Atlanta having one of the nation’s highest urban tree canopies, falling...
What Should You Do If Your Neighbor Builds a Fence on Your Property?
You may have heard the phrase “Good fences make good neighbors” (according to poet Robert Frost), but what happens when these otherwise good neighbors build a fence on your property? What should you do? Here in Atlanta, where houses can be within close proximity to...
The Advantages of Putting Your Home Into a Trust
You may be wondering whether it’s a good idea to put your home into a trust. In today’s blog, we’re explaining the process of creating a trust and discussing some of its related benefits and challenges. Creating a Revocable Living Trust A revocable living trust is a...