Planning for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you will make. Yet, many people face unexpected challenges because they overlook key details or make common mistakes early on. Avoiding these pitfalls can help you enjoy a secure and comfortable retirement without unnecessary stress. This post highlights the top five mistakes people often make when preparing for retirement and offers practical advice to help you stay on track. Ignoring the Impact of Infl

Attorney Kevin Parker recently traveled to the Clayton County Courthouse in Jonesboro, Georgia to defend a client against a civil claim in the Clayton County Magistrate Court. Upon careful review of the opposing party's claim, Attorney Kevin Parker drafted and filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The motion was granted, and the case was dismissed. We could never promise the same results in every case, but we are always careful to review the claims and defenses available in

Attorney Kevin Parker visited the beautiful city of Madison in Morgan County, Georgia today. Our law firm represented a client in a DUI case and obtained a very good outcome after negotiating with the prosecutor in court. The client was happy with the outcome, and we were happy to help when the client needed us most. If you are looking to hire a DUI attorney to represent you in Morgan County, Jasper County, Butts County, or the surrounding areas, then call us now to schedule

Potential clients often ask this question during their free consultation in my law office. Although there may be other technical differences, the main difference is in the title of the person and how that title was received. When a person dies without a valid will they are referred to as intestate. Even when a person dies intestate, however, they may have a home or other property resulting in their estate needing to be submitted to the probate process. When an intestate estat

The process of calculating child support is provided by Georgia law. OCGA § 19-6-15 provides that the following factors are to be considered in calculating the amount of child support to be paid or received: Gross monthly income Adjusted Income (self-employment taxes, preexisting orders, theoretical child support for qualified children) Deviations (high income, low income, other health-related insurance, life insurance, child and dependent care tax credit, travel expenses, al

In Georgia child custody cases, a child who is 14 years old (or older) may select the parent with whom he or she wishes to reside. The child's selection is controlling unless the court determines that the selected parent is not a fit and proper person to have custody of the child. It is important to note that only present unfitness can defeat the child's selection. Evidence of past unfitness is inadmissible in regard to such issues. A child aged 14 or older may also choose no

In Georgia, the rules of inheritance when a person dies without a will are set by statute. OCGA § 53-2-1 provides the order in which heirs will inherit from a intestate decedent's estate. If a decedent is survived by a spouse, and no children or other descendant, then the spouse is the sole heir. If a decedent is survived by a spouse and any child or descendant, then the spouse shall share equally with the children. The spouse's portion shall not be less than a one-third shar

Receive an early Christmas present from a traffic officer this year? If you received a citation, then you're probably wondering how much the fine will be. Fine amounts are a valid concern, but you should also consider the number of points that will be assessed to your Georgia driver's license due to the traffic ticket. The Georgia driver's license point system, administered by the Department of Driver Services (DDS), ranges from 2 to 6 points for most offenses. Points are not

It's no surprise that short-term rental (STR) properties like those available on Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway are everywhere. They offer travelers an alternative to a standard cookie-cutter hotel room, and they can be a great way for property owners to earn some cash by renting out a room or property that would otherwise sit unoccupied. But, as with many new services and products that emerge in society, new concerns and legal issues often arise. So, what should you know as the

Believe it or not, ex-spouses frequently do not follow the provisions of the court's divorce decree or incorporated divorce settlement agreement. But court orders mean something and must be followed or the violator risks being held in contempt, fined, and even put in jail. Court orders and judgments requiring the payment of child support, visitation, alimony, attorney's fees, or transfer of property may be enforced against the offending party by bringing an action for contemp

You have a will, power of attorney, and a guardianship plan for your children. That's great! But things change. You should review your estate planning documents periodically, but especially if any of these changes have occurred since you last reviewed them: Have you married or divorced? Has the executor of named in your will died or become incapacitated? Have any of your beneficiaries died or has your relationship with any of them changed? Has the mental or physical condition

Many entrepreneurs ask what type of legal form is best for their small business. Unfortunately, many others never consider the question. The answer is that the best legal form for your small business is the one that will best help you achieve your goals. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and a small business attorney can discuss them with you and help you decide. Sole Proprietorship If you are already doing business and have not formed a legal entity for your bu

Estate planning and wills are only for rich people. Wrong. Even people that aren't rich need to make sure their belongings are passed in the way and to whom they want. An estate plan will allow customization and give you the power to decide how your assets are distributed. Further, you may be surprised at the assets you have. Consider your home, furnishings, vehicles, investments, retirement accounts, savings accounts, and business interests as you think about obtaining a wil

Estate planning is a task that is often low on people's to-do lists, but it can provide much-needed guidance to your loved ones in the future. The fact is that most people would benefit from having basic estate planning documents to make sure their wishes are carried out. Arranging for the handling of your health, home, and finances can quickly become daunting. Multiple documents must be drawn up and each must consider multiple family members, friends, and charities. But get

Proper estate planning can provide lasting financial protection for you and your loved ones, but mistakes are common if you are not familiar with the principles of estate planning and asset protection law. Inadvertently passing assets to unintended recipients can cause legal nightmares as surviving family members, heirs, and loved ones fight it out in court to figure out which people you intended to inherit what property. An estate planning attorney adds value, often preventi

What do holograms have to do with estate planning? Not much, if anything, and for good reason. A holographic will is an unwitnessed document that is hand-written, signed, and dated by the decedent. Many people believe that recording their final wishes in such a document will ensure that they are obeyed. Unfortunately, holographic wills are extremely vulnerable to challenges in probate court and less than half of the states recognize them. Georgia is among the large number of

What would happen if you died unexpectedly? Would your family know your final wishes? Would they know where to find your will? Do you have a will? These and other estate planning questions can be overwhelming. Even well-organized people with the best intentions might be surprised by the confusion, stress, and frustration that could be experienced by their loved ones after their passing. Fortunately, much of that can be avoided or minimized with proper estate planning. So, wha