Real estate is generally divided into zones, including commercial, residential and industrial zones. Zoning determines the types of uses that are permitted in a given area. Anyone who owns property needs to understand the applicable zoning regulations and how to stay...
If you do not have an estate plan, your family does not have any guidance when you pass away. They do not know what you wanted to happen to your assets or how you wanted them to be distributed. If you need end-of-life care, they do not know who you want to authorize...
People can get hurt while grocery shopping or visiting a friend at their new apartment. In some cases, those hurt on private property, at an apartment building or in a store can show that the property owner or business tenant exposed them to unnecessary risk by...
Thinking about a will can feel uncomfortable, but it is one of the clearest ways to protect your wishes and reduce confusion for the people you leave behind. A will does not need to cover every part of your life, but it should give clear directions about your...
Title claims can endanger an ownership interest in real property. If an outside party has a credible claim to an interest in the property, the matter may require the review of a civil court judge. Title disputes are sometimes the result of fraud. Other times, the...
One of the first decisions a person has to make when they decide to start a business is what type of structure they’re going to use. For most aspiring entrepreneurs, the two most common structures they’ll consider are the sole proprietorship and the limited liability...
The most common way to pass assets on to beneficiaries is by using an estate plan. If you write a will, you can select certain beneficiaries who should receive financial assets, tangible assets, real estate, family heirlooms and much more. You can also set up a trust...
Most people think of wills and possibly trusts when they think about estate planning. However, there are a number of other tools that can keep assets out of probate court and strengthen an estate plan. Homeowners who want to ensure that the people living with them can...
Fences often become the source of neighborly disputes. In some cases, neighbors may disagree about the size or style of a fence erected on a property line. If age or inclement weather causes damage to a fence, then there could be disputes about how neighbors divide...
If you have a will but no health care directive, your estate planning may be incomplete. Knowing that your property will go where you intend can create a sense of security, but a will only governs what happens after death. It offers no protection if you are alive. If...