Various Blogs regarding Cincinnati Family Law, Estate Planning And Bankruptcy.
At Bailey & Gunderson, our attorneys help people going through some of life's most difficult challenges. We bring our experience, skill and creativity to every case, taking on all types of Family Law including Divorce, Bankruptcy, Probate and Estate Planning issues. Learning that most people ask the same questions - this blog is our way of providing some general legal information. Feel free to contact our Cincinnati Law Offices to discuss your specific situation.
DO YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR PARENTING ORDER REVIEWED PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO MINIMIZE STRESS ON THE CHILDREN (AND YOURSELF)?
The holiday season is a special time for everyone, but it’s extra special for the children.You might not be in the most comfortable place with your co-parent right now, especially if your divorce or separation is rather recent. Be sure to review your parenting agreement or order to make sure that you are complying with it.For the sake of helping your children experience the holiday season without stress, try and work together with your co-parent to coordinate certain aspects of the holiday season for the children.
WE CAN REVIEW YOUR PARENTING ORDER.
If you both will be spending time with your children over the holidays, speak with your co-parent about events you each plan to attend. This will help prepare your co-parent to talk about those events when the co-parent speaks with the children.
Also, have a conversation with your co-parent about gifts you are each thinking about giving the children. This is not a time to try and one-up your co-parent in terms of gift giving, but rather to coordinate who is giving what gift so that you are not duplicating gifts for the children.
An important issue trending in the news recently is “sexual harassment”.
Can you recognize sexual harassment?
What is sexual harassment? Is sexual harassment occurring at your workplace? Are you the victim of sexual harassment or a perpetrator of sexual harassment? Can you recognize sexual harassment?
What should you do if you are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace?
The attached article from the Ohio Bar Association provides some insights about the law related to this important topic.
Medical debt continues to be a leading cause of new bankruptcy filings in Ohio
If the number of bankruptcies filed is any indication of an economic recovery, the latest statistics indicate that Ohio is recovering from the recession of 2008. According to the data, the number of personal bankruptcy filing declined in Ohio by five percent to 46,892 filings during 2013.
Along with the good news, the data also had some negative points. Although the number of bankruptcies declined in Ohio, the decline was significantly lower than the national average of 12 percent. In addition, the data indicated that the reason why many Ohioans were filing for bankruptcy had little to do with the economy. Medical bills were cited as one of the leading reasons that pushed Ohio residents into bankruptcy.
Similar Medical Debt Trends nationwide
Ohioans are not alone in struggling with medical bills. According to a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Medicine, which analyzed bankruptcy data between 2001 and 2007, over 62 percent of bankruptcies were triggered by medical bills, at least in part. The study also indicated that, unsurprisingly, as healthcare costs continue to rise, medical bills became more of a financial burden to Americans. During the six-year period of the study, the number of bankruptcies where medical bills were a cause rose by about 50 percent.
The study also found that having health insurance was not a panacea against bankruptcy. Among the bankruptcies filed because of medical bills, 75 percent of the filers had health insurance. The study found that the despite having insurance, many of these consumers were saddled with out-of-pocket costs for expenses such as prescription drugs and medical equipment, many having outstanding bills well over 10 percent of their pretax income. Others were forced to pay for their medical procedures in full, because the insurance companies cancelled their policies once they required treatment.
Bankruptcy can help
For those struggling with medical debt, bankruptcy can offer a way out. Once bankruptcy is filed, the automatic stay goes into effect, which halts all creditor collection efforts, such as harassing phone calls or collection lawsuit. Regardless of whether the debtor files for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, medical debt is dischargeable, meaning that the debtor is relieved of the obligation to repay the debt. Once bankruptcy has concluded, the debtor emerges free of medical debt with a fresh financial start.
Bankruptcy is not a solution for everyone. For this reason, if you are struggling with medical debt, it is important to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. An attorney can accurately assess whether bankruptcy would be a good fit for your situation.
I meet with many parents and their children regarding estate planning for the parents and discover that the children do not know what assets their parent owns, what debts the parents may have, or the amount and source of the parent’s income.
Have you had this discussion with your children? Have you had this discussion with your parents?
I recommend that the parents prepare a statement of their assets, debts, income, and life & health insurance policies. The statement can be provided to the children that shall be acting pursuant to the parent’s power of attorney, or who shall be serving as the executor of the parent’s estate after their death. The statement should be update annually by the parents.
It's helpful to identify the location of documents such as the life insurance policies, deeds, income tax returns, auto titles, etc. For example, the statement can indicate that “My life insurance policy is located in the top drawer of the desk in my living room”.
Acting now with this issue will save time and money when you have to assume control of your parent’s finances in the future.
What you have done to make this process easier? Do you have any comments regarding what has worked, or not worked, for you in handling your parent’s finances?
DO YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR PARENTING ORDER REVIEWED PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO MINIMIZE STRESS ON THE CHILDREN (AND YOURSELF)? 
Sexual Harassment is Making News.
Have you had this discussion with your children? Have you had this discussion with your parents?
