The term “life estate” often comes up in discussions of estate and Medicaid planning,but what exactly does it mean? A life estate is a form of joint ownership that allows oneperson to remain in a house until his or her death, at which time it passes to the otherowner, referred to as the person wi...
If your loved one has died leaving property and there is no valid Will you may be worried about how assets will be distributed. Contrary to popular belief, dying without a Will does not mean that the State takes your property. Alabama has enacted statutes, called intestacy laws, that set forth t...
Depending on your role in your loved one's estate plans (such as being named the Executor in the will); you may have significant duties and matters to handle upon their passing. First and foremost, you must allow yourself time to grieve and reflect upon that person's passing. Do not immediately t...
As your parents age, it can become a struggle to respect their autonomy and independence while making sure you take all the right steps to keep them protected for the future. It's a phase in life that comes with some difficult decisions that you and your family will have to make together. One of ...
Life insurance is driven by both contracts and Alabama Statutes. Failure to comply with certain contract provisions or Statutes could nullify any attempted changes to the policy or beneficiary. You may have a limited time to answer the lawsuit or your benefits may be denied forever. We would be more than happy to discuss your options with you. If you were denied benefits or sued in an Interpleader lawsuit, contact our office immediately. (256) 519-9970
We Can Help Guide You Through the Step-Parent Adoption Process Sometimes, helping build a new family involves more than providing life's necessities and a home for you and your step-children. We can guide step-parents through the process of adoption. As a step-parent your rights to the children...
While power of attorney and legal guardianship can perform similar functions in some cases, they are vastly different in terms of who is appointed, who does the appointing and how much control the appointed agent or guardian has. What is a Power of Attorney? A power of attorney is a legal d...
Many parents with young children overlook the need for estate planning – some because they are healthy and are not ready to think about death; others because they are afraid of the costs; but most because they feel like their modest assets don't yet warrant investing in an estate plan. For paren...
Remarrying and starting a new family is an exciting time in most people's lives. Stepparents can and often do take on an important and involved role in children's lives. Sometimes the stepparent is more involved and a better influence than one of the biological parents. In these situations, many ...
What is he difference between the two is vast, and not knowing the difference can cost you and your loved ones tens of thousands of dollars. A Will, also know as a Last Will and Testament, is a legal document that gives directions on how and who to distribute your assets after you die. A Will al...
We are here to help. Contact Sara Doty Attorney at law, LLC to find out how we can help you with your Estate Planning, Probate, Adoption, Name Change, Family Law / Divorce and Bankruptcy Law needs. Contact us either by using the contact form or by calling us at 256-519-9970 for your free initial consultation.
