Update on the current status of the mortgage debt cancellation tax relief provision that expired at the end of 2013. As soon as the last one-year extension was passed on New Years’ Day 2013, NAR (National Association of Realtors) began working on another extension of this critical tax provision. With NAR’s encouragement, champions of this provision…
Continue reading…Nevada Law Update: Nevada Homeowner’s Bill of Rights
Even though the foreclosure crisis seems to be winding down in some parts of the county, Nevada’s foreclosure level remains high. In fact, in the first half of 2013, the state had nation's second highest foreclosure rate (behind Florida). When it comes to foreclosure, lenders and servicers have not always provided homeowners with a significant…
Continue reading…BOOT CAMP: Foreclosure and Loan Workout Procedures
Education Event! Tiffany Ballenger presents for the National Business Institute, Monday September 16th, 9am- 4pm at the Gold Coast: Not for the faint of heart, this fast-paced course is designed to provide a comprehensive procedural orientation to the foreclosure process and alternatives to foreclosure. Expert faculty will identify all of the options available for loan…
Continue reading…Education Event
Tiffany Ballenger, Esq. will be presenting at the “Leaving a Legacy” workshop sponsored by the City of Las Vegas and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on Wills, Trusts, and Probate on Saturday, June 8, 2013. For more information and to sign up, please contact Li’Shey Johnson at NCBW100EDC@gmail.com. Workshops also include speakers on…
Continue reading…Oklahoma
Phillips Ballenger will be donating 100% of proceeds from consultation fees for the remainder of the month to the American Red Cross to aid in relief efforts in Oklahoma. Our hearts go out to the citizens of Oklahoma and the thousands affected by this tragedy.
What Could Happen If You Write Your Own Living Trust?
Readers often ask me about do-it-yourself estate planning. Lawyers want to know how to discourage clients from using books or software and websites that spew out documents for free or for a fraction of what they charge. Meantime, consumers ask, “What’s wrong with that?” The trouble with do-it-yourself planning is that even if your situation…
Continue reading…Protecting an Elderly Mother’s Assets
Dear Liz: Could you advise us on how to protect our 93-year-old mother’s assets if she should become ill or die? She does not have a living will or a trust regarding her two properties. Answer: “If” she should become ill or die? Your mother has been fortunate to have had a long life, presumably…
Continue reading…Nice Girls Talk About Estate Planning
Going to a woman’s undergraduate college taught me that it’s okay for women to be smart. When I went to Columbia Law School, I found myself explaining that to a very brainy, beautiful classmate who told me she got more dates if she acted dumb. That was in 1978. Women have come an enormous distance since…
Continue reading…Estate Planning Smarts For New Moms
Having a child is often the first time people think about their estate plans. New moms have much on their mind. I highly recommend the second edition of Deborah L. Jacobs’ book Estate Planning Smarts: A Practical, User-Friendly Action-Oriented Guide to help them plan for their family’s future. Caring for yourself. Contrary to what many…
Continue reading…Utah’s Surprising New Domestic Asset Protection Statute: Requirements, Peculiarities, and Opportunities
by Geoff N. Germane of Kirton McConkie ggermane@kmclaw.com Utah is technically not new to the asset protection game—it has had a law allowing for self-settled trusts with some creditor protection on the books since 2003. The protection provided by that statute, however, was subject to so many restrictions and exceptions that practitioners rarely (if…
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