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Estate Planning Attorney Questions
Read moreEstate Planning Attorney Questions Questions You Should Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney Creating an estate plan is a personal and often emotional undertaking. Therefore, making the selection of your estate planning attorney of the utmost importance. Here are some questions you should ask your estate planning attorney to determine if they are the right person […]
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Why You Might Want to go through probate
Read moreShould You Avoid Probate? Why You Might Want To Go Through Probate Avoiding probate is a common goal for individuals deciding how they want their money and property to be handled when they pass. It is a worthy one and is regularly promoted by estate planning attorneys across the nation. However, probate is not an […]
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Understanding the Probate Process
Read moreUnderstanding the Probate Process With or Without a Will Most people have heard of the probate process, which takes place in probate court. And, they know that it is something that happens after someone passes away. Unfortunately, fewer people know that it can be a long and complicated process. It can sometimes take months, or […]
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What is the Probate Process?
Read moreWhat is the Probate Process? What is probate anyway? Probate is the legal process for authenticating a deceased person’s will, reviewing their assets, paying their outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to their inheritors. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint a valid will’s executor to administer the probate process. In the […]
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Power of Attorney for Young Adults
Read moreHappy 18th Birthday! Now What? Congratulations! You are now considered a legal adult. Aside from purchasing alcohol, there is now very little you cannot legally do. Even though you may not feel any different, from a legal standpoint, a lot has changed. And one of those is that you need a power of attorney for […]
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Retirement Planning for Business Owners
Read moreRetirement Planning for Business Owners Yes, if you own a business, you need to look into retirement planning for business owners. For many employees, saving for retirement is usually a matter of simply participating in their employer’s 401(k) plan. And, perhaps opening an IRA for some extra savings. But, when you’re the owner of a […]
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Let’s Talk Estate Planning
Read moreLet’s Talk Estate Planning Let’s talk estate planning. Preparing for a successful transfer of wealth to your loved ones begins with a comprehensive estate plan. However, many of us often overlook the crucial part of communicating our estate plan to family and heirs. You may have a thorough and up-to-date estate plan. However, your family […]
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How to Stress Test Your Estate Plan
Read moreHow to Stress Test Your Estate Plan I don’t know about you but I hate being stresssed. I guess it’s because I’m a control freak. I know I’m not alone here. But, one thing I, and you, too, can control is alleviating stress when you die. How? By learning how to stress test your estate […]
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How Estate Planning Can Reduce Stress
Read moreHow Estate Planning Can Reduce Stress Let me ask you this question. What happens when you get stressed? For most people, the flight or fight response kicks in when we are in a stressful situation. And we have certainly experienced some stressful situations that affect our lives in the last decade: 9/11, financial crisis of […]
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Common Business Formation Mistakes
Read moreTop Eight Common Business Formation Mistakes Are you interested in starting your own business? Make sure you do your homework first. Above all, you want to avoid making any or all of the eight common business formation mistakes. Why? Business formation mistakes can torpedo your business before it starts. Starting, and maintaining, a new business […]
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All About LLC’s
Read moreAll About LLC’s Many people opt to start an LLC otherwise known as a Limited Liability Company. Wondering what a Limited Liability Company is? Want to know if a Limited Liability Company might be a great option for your company? Stay with me while we enter into a quick tutorial on all about llc’s. What […]
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What are the steps of probate?
Read moreWhat Are The Steps of Probate? Losing a loved one is difficult. You go through so many emotions – grief, despair, anger and fear to name a few. You notify loved ones and make funeral arrangements. Now you have to start the probate process. But, you have no idea where to begin. Exactly what are […]
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What Happens To My Pet When I Die?
Read moreWhat Happens to My Pet When I Die? How many of you out there have pets you love? Ever wonder what happens to my pet when I die? If so, then this blog is for you. In this blog I will help you understand how you can protect your pet when you die. Pet Ownership […]
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Who Needs a Health Care Power of Attorney?
Read moreWho Needs a Health Care Power of Attorney? So, let’s talk about who needs a health care power of attorney. Believe it or not, anyone over the age of eighteen needs a health care power of attorney. So, if your child is over the age of eighteen, you should talk to them about the importance of getting […]
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Avoiding Family Drama When You Die
Read moreAvoiding Family Drama When You Die Ah, family drama. No one really likes family drama, do they? Unless maybe you are on a reality show and need ratings. But for those of us not on a reality show, we do not want family drama when we die. So, today I am going to teach you […]
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Estate Planning for Emergencies
Read moreESTATE PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES Emergencies happen. And, nothing is worse than an emergency happening while you are on vacation. That’s why estate planning for emergencies is so important. Before you leave on a vacation, you should have your estate planning documents in place and up to date. In this week’s video, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy […]
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Estate Planning Before Leaving for Vacation
Read moreEstate Planning Before Leaving for Vacation Ahh, vacations. We all love taking vacations. You pack your bags, you plan your itinerary, you book your pet’s boarding. You are ready to go. But wait! Have you completed your necessary estate planning before leaving for vacation? Did you even know there was such a thing as estate […]
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Five Reasons You Need a Lawyer To Write Your Will
Read moreFive Reasons You Need a Lawyer to Write Your Will For more information, check out our blog on “Should I Write My Own Will?” or our latest video on youtube.
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Fall Into Estate Planning
Read moreFall Into Estate Planning Fall into estate planning and learn how the different seasons of life can affect your estate planning needs. In this month’s webinar, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, at Schweizer and Associates, talks about estate planning myths and facts. She delves into each season of life. With each season, she uses characters […]
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Can I write my own will?
Read moreCan I Write My Own Will? Many people ask: “Can I write my own will or should I hire an estate planning attorney?” The better question is: “Should you write your own will?” In our latest Happy Talks video, find out why you may want to reconsider writing your own will. If you need help […]
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Should I write my own will?
Read moreCan I write my own will? Notice I typed “Can I write my own will” and not “should I write my own will.” You see, yes, you can write you your own will. But the real question you should be asking yourself is SHOULD you write your own will. Meet Paul Today is a hard […]
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Estate Planning for Your Pets Workbook
Read moreWho Will Care for Your Pets When You Are Gone? Download this workbook we’ve created to learn some tips in helping you make sure your pets are taken care of when you die.
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Why You Need a Health Care Power of Attorney at 18 When you turn 18, your parents may not be able to make any medical decisions for you. So, if you were in an accident and ended up in a coma, your parents might not get to have a say in your medical care. You […]
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Yes, You Do Need an Estate Plan When You Turn 18
Read moreYES, YOU DO NEED AN ESTATE PLAN WHEN YOU TURN 18 Do I Really Need an Estate Plan at 18? Yes, you really do need an estate plan when you turn eighteen. Congratulations! You turned eighteen. You are now officially an adult. So what does that mean? Well, for starters, you are now responsible for making […]
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Slum Dog Millionaire: Estate Planning for Pets
Read moreSlum Dog Millionaire: ESTATE PLANNING FOR PETS Are you a pet owner? Are you concerned about what will happen to your pets when you die? Did you ever even wonder what would happen to your pets? In this month’s webinar, Kristen Mackintosh, the Happy Lawyer, discusses how you can plan for your pets when you […]
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How to Spot a Scam Checklist
Read moreHow to Spot a Scam Checklist For more information on scams, check out our recent blog “Four Most Common Scams Targeting the Elderly Today.”
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Free Monthly Webinar
Read moreSlum Dog Millionaire: Pet Trust Planning Do own pets? Do you plan on owning pets? Are you a pet lover like me? Do you sometimes feel like you love your pet more than your family members? Do you worry about what will happen to your pets if you die?If you answered yes to any of […]
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How to Own Your Real Estate
Read moreHow to Own Your Real Estate How to own your real estate is a question many people ask. You see, real estate encompasses not only one’s primary residence but also other real estate such as a vacation home or a rental property. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of real estate […]
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Tips to Prevent You From Being Scammed
Read moreIn this week’s Happy Lawyer Video, we talk about some tips to prevent you from being scammed. So, watch and learn. For more information, read this week’s blog which talks about the 5 most common scams targeting senior citizens today. For more Happy Lawyer videos, check out our Youtube channel.
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Four Most Common Scams Targeting Senior Citizens Today
Read moreSo let’s talk about some of the four most common scams targeting senior citizens today. Now granted, there’s a lot more than these four, but these are the four most common. Charity Scams One common scam is to pose as a charity. Impersonating a charity is a serious offense. And, the scammers who do this […]
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Estate Planning for Singles
Read moreEstate planning for singles? Yes you need an estate plan if you are single. In fact, if you are 18 or older, you need an estate plan. To help you understand why, we’ve created this checklist for you. So, check out our list to see what documents you need.
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Estate Planning for Singles
Read moreSingle and Ready to Mingle With Estate Planning? Estate planning for singles. Are you single? Divorced? Widowed? Living together? If so, you will not want to miss the newest Happy Lawyer Webinar. In this webinar, the Happy Lawyer talks about the who, what, and why. Who are the singles? What estate planning documents do singles […]
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DO YOU GET THE KEYS TO THE HOUSE AT CLOSING?
Read moreDo You Get The Keys to the House at Closing? Buyers often wonder: “Do you get the keys to the house at closing?” You signed all the paperwork. So, you get the keys right away, right? Not so fast. Signing your documents is just one part of a closing. The Road to Homeownership You save […]
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Happy Lawyer Talks: Senior Citizens Beware of Scams
Read moreHappy Lawyer Talks: Senior Citizens Beware of Scams I think we can all agree we hate scams and scammers, right? You know what I hate even more? The fact that scammers like to target the elderly. Yes, our senior citizen loved ones are the most vulnerable to scammers. In this week’s Happy Talks’ video, Kristen […]
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Why Do Scammers Target The Elderly?
Read moreWhy Do Scammers Target The Elderly? Unfortunately, scammers exist. They lurk in the shadows waiting. Why are they waiting? Scammers are waiting for us to get on our computers, open our mail or answer our phones. They need to interact us for their scams to work. All of us are potential targets for scammers. Unfortunately, […]
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Happy Talks
Read moreHappy Talks. Learn why you need to do your due diligence if you are considering buying commercial real estate. In this video, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, explains why you should conduct due diligence when considering buying commercial real estate. For more Happy Talk videos, check out our youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMNfpQriYk_4wUOrKBEug2A Better yet, like […]
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Why Do Commercial Real Estate Contracts Fail?
Read moreWhy Do Commercial Real Estate Contracts Fail? “So, why do commercial real estate contracts fail anyway, Attorney Al?” asks Richard. “Well, Richard, there are many reasons why commercial real estate deals collapse. As a real estate attorney, I have unfortunately seen a few deals fail. Let me tell you a few.” Bank Appraisals Billy is […]
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The Happy Lawyer Talk
Read moreHappy Talks: Choosing the right attorney for you – personality is key! Did you know that when it comes to hiring a lawyer, you have a choice? You need to consider many factors when hiring a lawyer. You need to find the right attorney fit for you. While an attorney may be qualified to handle […]
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How to Find the Best Wills and Trust Lawyer for You
Read moreHow to Find the Best Wills and Trust Lawyer for You One day at a party, Jane sees Joe looking worried. Jane approaches Joe to ask what is wrong. Joe tells Jane he needs to find an estate planning attorney. “But, how do I find the best attorney for me?” Joe laments. “I mean, it’s […]
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Tips for Moving Someone with Alzheimer’s to a New Home
Read moreTIPS FOR MOVING SOMEONE WITH ALZHEIMER’S TO A NEW HOME Who out there likes moving? I sure don’t. In my lifetime, I have moved over twenty (20) times! Yikes! For an introvert like me, moving is difficult. Even for non-introverts, moving is stressful. Now, imagine if you have Alzheimer’s. You are already having difficulty remembering […]
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Early Signs of Alzheimer’s
Read moreEarly Signs of Alzheimer’s Checklist Do you know the early signs of Alzheimer’s? Do you worry that you, or a loved one, may be developing Alzheimer’s disease? Then you may want to check out this checklist we created. We created this checklist to make you aware of some of the warning symptoms of Alzheimer’s. If […]
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Happy Talks: Why You Need A Health Care Power of Attorney Now
Read moreHappy Talks: Why You Need a Health Care Power of Attorney Now Listen and learn as Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, explains why you need to have a health care power of attorney prepared BEFORE you need to use one. We have been talking about Alzheimer’s disease lately. When you develop Alzheimer’s you will eventually […]
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Navigating the Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Read moreNavigating the Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease There are seven stages of Alzheimer’s. Navigating the Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease is not easy. You see, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. Alzheimer’s is sneaky as the disease affects each person differently. The progression usually occurs in seven stages. However, one person might go through a couple […]
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When You Need A Real Estate Lawyer Checklist
Read moreWhen You Need a Real Estate Lawyer Checklist For more information, check out our blog posts: “When Do You Need a Real Estate Attorney” and “How a Real Estate Attorney Can Save You Time and Money.” Not a reader? Catch our videos: “Hiring an Estate Lawyer is a Great Idea” and “Why You Need a […]
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You Just Might Need a Real Estate Lawyer
Read moreHappy Talks by The Happy Lawyer: You Just Might Need a Real Estate Lawyer You just might need a real estate lawyer. Who thinks hiring a real estate lawyer might be a good idea? If you are on the fence or are not sure of the answer, might we suggest watching this video. Still unsure […]
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How a Real Estate Attorney can Save you Time and Money
Read moreHere is story about how a real estate attorney can save you time and money. After all, you like to save money, right? And, I bet you like to save time when you can. And who doesn’t like a good story, am I right? Meet Tom and Jane Tom and Jane recently get married. They […]
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When Do I need a Real Estate Lawyer Infographic
Read moreFor more information on when do you need a real estate lawyer, check out our blog: https://nclegalcounsel.com/when-do-you-need-a-real-estate-lawyer/ OR, watch our video at: https://nclegalcounsel.com/happy-lawyer-video-yes-you-need-a-real-estate-lawyer/
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Yes, You Need A Real Estate Attorney
Read moreThe Happy Lawyer Talk: Yes, You Need a Real Estate Lawyer Have you ever wondered when you might need a real estate lawyer? Or, perhaps you are wondering IF you need a real estate lawyer? Perhaps you are even thinking what is a real estate lawyer? Have no fear, in this video, Kristen Mackintosh, The […]
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When Do You Need a Real Estate Lawyer?
Read moreWhen do you need a real estate lawyer? Good question. I am so glad you asked. Let me tell you when you may need a real estate lawyer. But, before I do that, let me explain what a real estate lawyer is. What Exactly is a Real Estate Lawyer? I know, I know. Right now […]
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Yes, You Need a Will
Read moreYes, You Need a Will. In this video, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, talks about wills. She addresses some reasons why people need estate planning. Listen and learn. This video is part of The Happy Lawyer’s Weekly “Happy Lawyer Talks.” If you like this video, please like our youtube channel where you can catch all […]
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Stop Those Scammers Workbook
Read moreStop Those Scammers Workbook! Stop Those Scammers workbook. Download your free copy today.
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Who Needs Estate Planning
Read moreWHO NEEDS ESTATE PLANNING? Who needs estate planning? People ask me this question a lot. The simple answer is: everyone. Everyone? Why yes, everyone needs estate planning. But I’m single! I don’t have a lot of money. I don’t have children. The excuses are limitless. But, the simple answer is, everyone needs estate planning. Let […]
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Thinking About Downsizing?
Read moreThinking About Downsizing? This week we have been covering downsizing. In this video, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer talks about downsizing as we get older. Kristen talks about her own parent’s downsizing experience. For more information on downsizing, check out our downsizing blog: https://nclegalcounsel.com/how-to-know-when-it-is-time-to-downsize/
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Spring Into Action: Protecting the Elderly From Scams
Read moreSpring Into Action: Protecting the Elderly From Scams Spring into action: Protecting the Elderly from Scams is part of The Happy Lawyer’s Monthly webinar series. In this webinar, The Happy Lawyer explains why scammers are more likely to target senior citizens. Kristen discusses the five most common scams that target the elderly. Finally, Kristen gives […]
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How To Know When It Is Time To Downsize
Read moreHow To Know When It Is Time To Downsize How to know when it is time to downsize is a question many of my clients wonder. “I cannot keep up the yardwork.” “I have too many rooms to clean.” I hear these comments a lot from my older clients. I always say in response, “maybe […]
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The Happy Lawyer Talk: Why You Should Not Write Your Own Will
Read moreThe Happy Lawyer Talk: Why You Should Not Write Your Own Will
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DO I NEED A LAWYER TO WRITE A WILL????
Read moreDO I NEED A LAWYER TO WRITE A WILL???? Do I need a lawyer to write my will? Interesting question. The easy answer would be no. But, easy is not always the right answer. No, legally you do not need a lawyer to write your will. Yes, you can write your own will. But, we’re […]
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What is Commercial Property Anyway?
Read moreWhat is Commercial Property Anyway? What is commercial property? Commercial property relates to a structure, property, or land used for business. This includes office buildings, shopping centers, apartment buildings, and vacant property that is zoned for business development. Commercial property is used for business purposes. Commercial property may consist of buildings for businesses to operate. […]
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Yes, You Can Leave a Legacy!
Read moreYES, YOU CAN LEAVE A LEGACY Want to leave a legacy? Need some ideas? Confused on where to start your legacy planning? No worries, we have you covered. Download our latest booklet on how you, too, can leave a legacy for your family.
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The Happy Lawyer Talk: Let’s Talk About Legacy Planning
Read moreThe Happy Lawyer Talk: Let’s Talk Legacy Planning Let’s talk legacy planning. Do you know what legacy planning is? No worries, in this video, you will learn about legacy planning and tips for creating your own legacy plan. In this video, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer talks about ways you can leave a legacy for […]
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8 Tips for Leaving a Legacy
Read more8 Tips for Leaving a Legacy Leaving a legacy is one of the goals of estate planning. Many people want to leave a legacy when they die. They want to make sure their loved one are provided for financially. They also want to make sure family traditions are passed down from family member to family […]
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Estate Planning Myths
Read moreThere are so many reasons why people think they do not need a will. In this e-book, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, addresses why everyone needs a will. She goes through four myths people have about estate planning. She then debunks those myths. To download your copy, click here: Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, has […]
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Leapin’ Leprechauns: How will you divide your pot o’gold?
Read morePart of The Happy Lawyer’s monthly webinar series. Join Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, as she educates you on estate planning. She will entertain you as well as educate you. And, you may meet a leprechaun or two. Learn why you need a will. Learn what happens if you do not sign your will. Find […]
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The Happy Lawyer Webinar – All You Need is Love Do you have elderly parents? Do live far away from your elderly parents? Are you worried about caring for your elderly parents when you do not live close by? If so, this webinar is for you. In this webinar, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, gives […]
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Everyone loves a winner: why you need a winning estate plan.
Read moreEveryone Loves A Winner: Why You Need A Winning Estate Plan Everyone loves a winner. We love rooting for the underdog. We are overjoyed when our team wins the super bowl. We love joining in when “We Are The Champions” starts playing. Why do we love winners so much? Winning makes us feel powerful. When […]
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There’s No Business Like Snow Business
Read moreThis month, Kristen Mackintosh, The Happy Lawyer, presents her January webinar: There’s no business like snow business: Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid. Learn what celebrities made estate planning mistakes. Learn what mistakes were made by those celebrities. And, most importantly, learn how to avoid making those same estate planning mistakes.
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CELEBRITY ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKES
Read moreCELEBRITIES DON’T MAKE ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKES, DO THEY? Estate planning mistakes. Celebrities don’t make estate planning mistakes, do they? After all, celebrities are famous. Celebrities have access to the best lawyers, financial advisors and managers. But, like us, celebrities are human. Just like us, celebrities sometimes make mistakes with their estate plans. What’s the rush? […]
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Should you write your own will?
Read moreCan I write a will? Yes. You can write your own will. But should you? Watch and learn why you may want to reconsider this idea…
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What Happens if Your Family Member Dies Without a Will?
Read moreWhat Happens if Your Family Member Dies Without a Will? The COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness in the US about the need to have a will, a living will, and perhaps a living trust more than ever. Still, this knowledge is not translating into estate planning action. No matter your age or asset level, having […]
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Estate Planning vs. Elder Law
Read moreEstate Planning and Elder Law What’s the Difference? As you start to plan for your future, both in terms of financial affairs and health care needs, you may wonder what estate planning and elder law entail. How do they differ? Estate planning and elder law also have some similarities. Even though these two types of […]
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Happy Lawyer Webinar
Read moreThe Early Bird Gets The Worm: Planning for Long Term Health Care Webinar Wondering how you will pay for long term care? Wondering if you need to start planning? Are you wondering why you should start planning now before you need long term care? Well, if you answered yes to any of the above, you […]
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Medicaid Planning Protects Your Home
Read moreMedicaid Planning Protects Your Home From Rising Health Care Costs and Capital Gains Your most valuable property may be your home, which is true for many people. You want your children to inherit that value when you pass. However, you are also concerned about planning for the future, declining health, and the potential need for […]