Living Trust… Living Will… What’s The Difference?

My mom told me she has a living will. That way she’s going to avoid probate

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this when a new person finds out I was a living trust lawyer.

They go on to say, She got one of those forms at the seniors’ center. You know, the one she can fill out herself. They even witnessed it for her.

I hate it when this comes up, because I have to set the record straight, I have to let the person know that a living will and a living trust are two different instruments that serve two different purposes.

One, the living will, is your statement that If I am terminally ill or mortally injured (I’m using simple language here to get the point across), then don’t hook me up to life support that will never return me to life. It’s the issue that’s currently being fought in Florida, with Governor Bush signing a law to keep a woman alive over her family’s wishes and a court ruling.

Her living will has nothing to do with avoiding probate. It is a health care document. Really it should be called a death desire, but our society can’t handle that bluntness.

A living trust, on the other hand, IS a probate avoiding document.

Basically, probate is used to transfer property you own when you die. If you have a will, your executor uses the probate court to carry out the terms of your will. If you die without a will, the laws of your state has statutes that describe where your property goes and who is in charge of getting it there.

So, if you don’t own any property when you die, then (generally…there are always exceptions) there is no need for probate.

This is where the living trust steps in. It called a living trust because it is created while you are living.

When you create a trust, you transfer title to your property to the trustee of the trust. You, as an individual, no longer own the property.

So, if you die, no probate is needed (remember, there are always exceptions), since YOU don’t own the property. The property is owned by the trustee of the trust. The trust instrument instructs him/her on what to do with the property upon your death.

A living trust is a LOT more complicated to set up and maintain than a living will. They accomplish different tasks.

So, when you hear that a loved one has a living will to avoid probate, it might be smart to ask a few questions.

Good luck and until next time,

Phil Craig

P.S. Feel free to forward this on to any friends.

Phil Craig, All Rights Reserved

Phil Craig is a licensed attorney and entreprenuer. He started practicing law at age 25 in 1979. He does not take on any more clients, but is advisor to some of the biggest names in the internet world. He shares his knowledge gained over the last 25 years at his Living Trust Secrets newsletter site: click here=========>http://www.LivingTrustSecrets.com

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners ** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.

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5 August

20 Lemon Law Topics From Automobiles To Puppies

Lemon Laws are not just for automobiles anymore. There are lemon laws that protect consumers from defective computers to puppies. You have rights after a purchase, you just need to know how and where to find the legal representation that best suits your situation.

Lemon Laws were designed to give the unsuspecting public from would-be frauds and sellers of damaged merchandise. Were it not for this respectable constitutional protection under the laws of our great nation, there would be more crime and violence exhibited than you could imagine. The unfortunate side is knowing where to seek the proper specialists that can provide the right counsel for your wronged situation.

We’ve all purchased an item that hasn’t lived up to it’s claim and we naturally assume the seller was probably aware before the sale that it was defective. Often a bargain is far from it, and once we buy into the bargain price, we see how we were taken. Being on the end of a bad deal doesn’t have to end there.

Lemon Laws actually save us from doing the unthinkable so many times. When we learn we have a defective item, we can follow some very clear cut steps to seek resolution. Legally, you have rights to correct this type of situation and once you’ve applied yourself constructively to get your money refunded, you can see how valuable the lemon laws really are.

Lemon Law Specialists can save you more than just the refund amount due to you. If there was intent to intentionally defraud you, you can seek additional restitution for your loss of time and additional expenses associated with the fraudulent item.

Take the time to read more in the area you feel your item is related and see what your options are. Don’t think you don’t have a voice or say in a bad purchase. Actually, your willingness to speak up and pursue your wrongful purchase can avoid it happening to others. You are exersizing your rights and helping to protect other unsuspecting victims like yourself.

http://wealthsmith.com/lemon-law-articles.htm

Jim is an online writer that covers the topics that you want to know more about. Check out his latest subject, Lemon Laws: http://wealthsmith.com/lemon-law-articles.htm

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5 August

10 Ways To Identify If Your Lawyer Is Right For You

An ideal lawyer will not just have a string of impressive credentials or gold lettering on his door. He or she will be caring, concerned, and devoted to their work. You need to think carefully before laying your trust in a lawyer after all in some cases your life, future, money or property will be in his hands.

Apart from doing extensive research to short list possible lawyers you must ensure that there is not conflict of interest, that you understand everything the retainer agreement states, and that you have checked the references and details regarding the practice.

You will know the lawyer you have chosen is the perfect one if:

1.He makes an effort to spend time to understand your case himself. He will not assign a legal assistant to take facts of the case down.

2.From experience and knowledge he will know what is relevant and what is not. He will set aside and ignore irrelevant facts, opinions, and personal emotions that cloud the case on hand.

3.He will insist that the footwork for the case be done thoroughly. All facts must be checked for accuracy and solid arguments jotted down with backing of earlier rulings.

4.He will not just focus on the problem at hand but examine the problem from all sides. This will create a complete picture highlighting all factors of relevance and the different ways one can approach the case.

5.He will use his foresight and anticipate moves by the opposition or opinions of the jury or judge and plan way ahead. Like a master chess player he will plan the case not by the day but by many hearings ahead.

6.He will not waste time beating around the bush or create verbose statementsmany words strung together which look impressive but mean nothing. He will insist that the case and its arguments be clearly stated.

7.He will be self-disciplined, thorough, and self confident. Courteous at all times he will respect you as well as all the staff who work for him.

8.He is recommended by not just his friends and relatives but by other professionals of good standing and from his field.

9.He will not just present to you his victories but be happy to tell you why and how he lost certain cases.

10.He will lay the cards on the table and tell you clearly whether your case stands to win or loose. He will not claim that winning is guaranteed. He will be honest and upfront about his opinions and advice.

The bottom line is that the lawyer must be worthy of your trust. Use your inborn instincts and dont go by the lawyers good looks or fancy car or office. After all it is competence in law and in court that is of essence to you.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888discuss.com/legal-advice/, the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Legal Advice Forum including topics on legal advices, legal information, lawyers, laws, tax, legal insurance and more. His article profile can be found at the premier Legal Article Submission site http://www.1888articles.com/legal-articles-3.html

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5 August

Living Trust… Living Will… What’s The Difference?

My mom told me she has a living will. That way she’s going to avoid probate

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this when a new person finds out I was a living trust lawyer.

They go on to say, She got one of those forms at the seniors’ center. You know, the one she can fill out herself. They even witnessed it for her.

I hate it when this comes up, because I have to set the record straight, I have to let the person know that a living will and a living trust are two different instruments that serve two different purposes.

One, the living will, is your statement that If I am terminally ill or mortally injured (I’m using simple language here to get the point across), then don’t hook me up to life support that will never return me to life. It’s the issue that’s currently being fought in Florida, with Governor Bush signing a law to keep a woman alive over her family’s wishes and a court ruling.

Her living will has nothing to do with avoiding probate. It is a health care document. Really it should be called a death desire, but our society can’t handle that bluntness.

A living trust, on the other hand, IS a probate avoiding document.

Basically, probate is used to transfer property you own when you die. If you have a will, your executor uses the probate court to carry out the terms of your will. If you die without a will, the laws of your state has statutes that describe where your property goes and who is in charge of getting it there.

So, if you don’t own any property when you die, then (generally…there are always exceptions) there is no need for probate.

This is where the living trust steps in. It called a living trust because it is created while you are living.

When you create a trust, you transfer title to your property to the trustee of the trust. You, as an individual, no longer own the property.

So, if you die, no probate is needed (remember, there are always exceptions), since YOU don’t own the property. The property is owned by the trustee of the trust. The trust instrument instructs him/her on what to do with the property upon your death.

A living trust is a LOT more complicated to set up and maintain than a living will. They accomplish different tasks.

So, when you hear that a loved one has a living will to avoid probate, it might be smart to ask a few questions.

Good luck and until next time,

Phil Craig

P.S. Feel free to forward this on to any friends.

Phil Craig, All Rights Reserved

Phil Craig is a licensed attorney and entreprenuer. He started practicing law at age 25 in 1979. He does not take on any more clients, but is advisor to some of the biggest names in the internet world. He shares his knowledge gained over the last 25 years at his Living Trust Secrets newsletter site: click here=========>http://www.LivingTrustSecrets.com

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners ** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

5 August

Living Trust… Living Will… What’s The Difference?

My mom told me she has a living will. That way she’s going to avoid probate

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this when a new person finds out I was a living trust lawyer.

They go on to say, She got one of those forms at the seniors’ center. You know, the one she can fill out herself. They even witnessed it for her.

I hate it when this comes up, because I have to set the record straight, I have to let the person know that a living will and a living trust are two different instruments that serve two different purposes.

One, the living will, is your statement that If I am terminally ill or mortally injured (I’m using simple language here to get the point across), then don’t hook me up to life support that will never return me to life. It’s the issue that’s currently being fought in Florida, with Governor Bush signing a law to keep a woman alive over her family’s wishes and a court ruling.

Her living will has nothing to do with avoiding probate. It is a health care document. Really it should be called a death desire, but our society can’t handle that bluntness.

A living trust, on the other hand, IS a probate avoiding document.

Basically, probate is used to transfer property you own when you die. If you have a will, your executor uses the probate court to carry out the terms of your will. If you die without a will, the laws of your state has statutes that describe where your property goes and who is in charge of getting it there.

So, if you don’t own any property when you die, then (generally…there are always exceptions) there is no need for probate.

This is where the living trust steps in. It called a living trust because it is created while you are living.

When you create a trust, you transfer title to your property to the trustee of the trust. You, as an individual, no longer own the property.

So, if you die, no probate is needed (remember, there are always exceptions), since YOU don’t own the property. The property is owned by the trustee of the trust. The trust instrument instructs him/her on what to do with the property upon your death.

A living trust is a LOT more complicated to set up and maintain than a living will. They accomplish different tasks.

So, when you hear that a loved one has a living will to avoid probate, it might be smart to ask a few questions.

Good luck and until next time,

Phil Craig

P.S. Feel free to forward this on to any friends.

Phil Craig, All Rights Reserved

Phil Craig is a licensed attorney and entreprenuer. He started practicing law at age 25 in 1979. He does not take on any more clients, but is advisor to some of the biggest names in the internet world. He shares his knowledge gained over the last 25 years at his Living Trust Secrets newsletter site: click here=========>http://www.LivingTrustSecrets.com

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners ** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.

More articles at Big articles database

5 August

Workers Compensation Know Your Rights

Workers Compensation is a very complex system, A disputed issue arising under the claim regarding compensability or eligibility for, or the amount of, income or death benefits law firms can stand toe to toe for your rights.

Medical Fee Disputes; Medical Fee Disputes involve a dispute over the amount of payment for health care rendered to an injured employee and determined to be medically necessary and appropriate for treatment of that employee’s compensable injury. The dispute is for reasons other than the medical necessity of the care . The dispute is resolved by the commission pursuant to commission rules, relating to Medical Dispute Resolution of a Medical Fee Dispute.

Employee Reimbursement Dispute. An employee who has paid for health care may request medical dispute resolution of a denied reimbursement. The employee may only pursue reimbursement up to the amount the employee paid the provider. Reimbursement shall be fair and reasonable in accordance with commission rules, and shall not exceed the Maximum Allowable Reimbursement as established in the appropriate fee guideline, or in the absence of a fee guideline, the amount determined to be fair and reasonable for the health care.

An injured employee may choose to receive a brand name drug rather than a generic drug or over-the-counter alternative to a prescription medication that is prescribed by a health care provider. In such instances, the injured employee shall pay the difference in cost between generic drugs and brand name drugs. The transaction between the employee and the pharmacist is considered final and is not subject to medical dispute resolution by the Commission. In addition, the employee is not entitled to reimbursement from the insurance carrier for the difference in cost between generic and brand name drugs

Do not modify this article Workers Compensation Law Workers Compensation Law - information to help you understand your rights and obligations. Workers Compensation Law Workers Compensation Law - information to help you understand your rights and obligations. webmaster@worker-comp-law.com

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5 August