A lot of us resolve to get more organized for the New Year. Below is a great article I found on lawyers.com with helpful tips on getting your legal and financial business in order for the new year. I especially like the tips at number 3 through 5, as I have found that many of my clients over the years are unfamiliar with household finances, as they have allowed that to be their spouse’s primary responsibility.
Everyone’s busy all year long. There’s work, school, and kids’ sports. Tack on summer vacation and the holidays at the end of the year, and you have even more to do. It’s easy to forget about taking care of some things that really need to be done each year. Taking some time to do them now can save you and your family time and headaches later.
1. Review and Update Your Will
You should look over your will each year to make sure it’s up-to-date. The laws don’t automatically add people to your will or automatically remove them, either. Did you get married this year? Divorced? Did you have a baby or adopt? Are your children now young adults? Your will needs to be updated for these and other life events.
While you’re at it, check your powers of attorney, too. Make sure the person you’ve named to take care of your affairs (your “attorney in fact”) is still willing and able to do so. If not, you need to make a new power of attorney.
Don’t have a will or any other estate planning tools? Get them. You can find everything you need at Lawyers.com. Whether you’re married or single, a good place to start is a planning worksheet. If you have questions or concerns, talk to an attorney.
And don’t forget about your digital assets, like online bank accounts and passwords to social media and other websites. Make a list of them and keep them in a safe or safety deposit box with your other important papers.
2. Insurance
There are all kinds of insurance matters to take care of:
Homeowner’s and Renter’s insurance: Did you make any improvements to your home, like remodel a kitchen or finish your basement? Did you buy a new TV? Check to make sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers them.
Car insurance: In most states, it’s illegal to drive without auto insurance. You don’t want to be overinsured, though. You can save a few dollars over the year by reducing your coverage on an older car or one that’s been paid off. You can also save some money by increasing the amount of your deductible – the amount you have to pay when you make a claim against your policy.
Life and health insurance. Do you have enough life insurance to take care of your family in case something happens to you? Talk to your insurance agent about your new baby or a change in your marital status. The same thing goes for health insurance. Talk to your human resources professional at work or your agent about changing your coverage.
3. Start Getting Ready for the IRS
It’s never too early to start gathering receipts and other documents for next year’s taxes. Most employers send out W-2’s or “earnings statements” before Jan. 31, so if you’re ready before then, you can file fast and get your refund early.
Preparation is crucial especially if you itemize deductions, such as out-of-pocket medical expenses, mortgage interest and expenses related to your child’s college education. You’ll want to gather your paid medical bills, billing statements from schools, prescription receipts and receipts for cash donations you made to your church or favorite charities.
4. Credit Reports
Each year you’re entitled to one free report from each of the major reporting companies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Get and read them carefully. Any errors, like credit accounts that you didn’t open, should be reported to the agency in writing. The agency will investigate the matter, usually within 30 days, and will let you know how the matter was resolved.
With identity theft so common today, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the free credit reports each and every year.
5. Credit Cards
Check the terms of your credit cards. Rearrange your budget and try to pay off your cards in full. At the very least, shop around for a credit card with a lower rate and see if you can transfer the balance to the new card. This could save you thousands of dollars in interest.
6. Licenses, Permits and Leases
Practically all of these important documents have expiration dates. Here are few to keep in mind:
Driver’s license. These usually expire every few years on your birthday, so check the date on yours. Driving with an expired license may lead to points against your license and higher insurance rates
Business license and permits. Many professions and trades require you to have a license. Attorneys, electricians and plumbers usually need one. Bars and restaurants typically need a permit to sell liquor or sell food. Check the expiration date. Don’t practice your trade or profession on an expired license. You may have to pay fine, and you may even be barred from practicing for a period of time
Leases. As the expiration date on your home or apartment lease nears, contact your landlord to see if a rent increase is planned for the next lease term and try to negotiate. As a car renter, you should check the mileage to see if you’re in danger of going over the number of miles given by the lease. Consider asking the dealer to sell you extra miles, or perhaps take an early trade-in if you’re near the limit
7. In the US on a Visa?
Be certain to check the expiration date on your visa if you’re in the US temporarily. Start the renewal process early because it could take some time. You may be deported for being in the US after your visa expires, and you may not be able to return to the US for a period of time. Contact the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office if you have any questions.
8. Computer Security
It’s always a good idea to keep your computer’s security settings and software up-to-date. Shopping online, using a software program to prepare your taxes and online banking makes your computer a treasure trove of valuable information. Be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to your personal information and identity theft. Once the hackers or scammers have your information, it’s too late.
Learn how to protect yourself from viruses, phishing attacks, scams and even exposing you and your family to legal risks from participating in social networking.
9. What about the Kids?
New technologies come out every day it seems, like smarter, faster computers, hand-held devices and cell phones, to name a few. You may or may not pay much attention to these things, but your children almost certainly do. If any of these items are on a gift list, start looking into security and protection for their computer and cell-phone usage.
And if you don’t already do so, maybe it’s time to monitor your kids’ computer and cell phone activities. Don’t think of it as an invasion of privacy. Rather, think of it as protecting them from the bad things that you know are out there.
10. Get a Check-Up on Your Health & Records
It’s a good idea to see your family doctor at least once a year for a regular check-up. While you’re at it, take care of some other health-related matters, such as getting a copy of your medical records, asking your doctor about how your electronic medical records are kept safe and making sure your living will and health care power of attorney are in order.
It is very important to select the correct filing status as this will impact the amount of your standard deduction and your tax rate. You may fall into more than one category, so you should choose the one the produces the lowest overall tax. An individual may be single, a surviving spouse, head of the household, married filing jointly, or married filing separately. Filing status is determined on the last day of the tax year.
The basis standard deduction amounts for 2016 are:
Single 4,050
Married filing jointly and surviving spouses 12,600
Married filing separately 6,300
Head of Household 9,300
You are considered single for the whole year if on the last day of the tax year, you are unmarried or legally separated under a divorce or separate maintenance agreement. You are considered unmarried if you and your spouse did not live in the same household for the last six months of the tax year. If your home was the main home for a qualifying child or relative and you provided more than half the cost of keeping up your home for the tax year, you are eligible to file as head of household instead of single which provides a higher standard deduction and lower tax rates.
A single taxpayer qualifies as a surviving spouse during the two years following the death of a spouse if the household is maintained for a dependent child and you do not remarry. Tax brackets for surviving spouses are more favorable than filing single.
Married individuals may opt to file jointly or separately even if only one spouse had income. In most situations, it is advantageous to file a joint return due to higher deductions and lower tax rates; however, there are special circumstances where filing separately produces a lower tax bill. It is advisable to calculate your tax both ways and use the filing status that yields the lowest aggregate tax. Considerations other than tax savings should also be considered. If you believe your spouse is not reporting all of his or her income or you do not want to be held responsible for any taxes due because your spouse did not have enough tax withheld or pay enough estimated tax, filing separately may be ideal.
If you are unsure which status applies to your situation, consult your tax advisor.
Brandi Morgan is a CPA and Manager at Wilkins, Miller, Hieronymus LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors. She can be reached at wilkinsmiller.com or 251-410-6700. Her office is located at 41 West Interstate 65 Service Road North, Suite 400, Mobile, Alabama 36608.
Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution where a third party neutral, typically a lawyer, facilitates a settlement agreement in your case.
Mediation is confidential and mediators are impartial.
The mediator does not “decide” or “rule” on the outcome; the mediator’s role is assisting in identifying issues, facilitating communication, focusing interests, exploring alternatives, and helping the disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
Mediation is about self-determination — you get to decide the outcome of your case.
Mediation is an option in any civil case but is especially useful in the family law context due to the interests of privacy, flexibility and creativity in finding an arrangement that works for your family, and avoiding the slings and arrows of the courtroom.
Child abuse and neglect is rampant, and we all have a duty to protect children. The US Department of Health and Human Services has published the following list to aid the public in recognizing signs of abuse and neglect in children:
The Child
1. Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance 2. Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention 3. Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes 4. Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen 5. Lacks adult supervision 6. Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn 7. Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home
The Parent
1. Shows little concern for the child 2. Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home 3. Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves 4. Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome 5. Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve 6. Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs
The Parent and Child
1. Rarely touch or look at each other 2. Consider their relationship entirely negative 3. State that they do not like each other
Divorce can be a difficult situation for all parties involved, especially the children. Many children are confused about the situation and do not understand why their parents are separating.
Although this can be difficult, talking with children is a crucial part of the puzzle when you are dealing with a divorce. Parents often put off talking to their children about divorce because they are unsure how to explain such a complex situation. But a delay in talking with your children can actually make the divorce more difficult for the children in the long run.
When children are suddenly surprised with the divorce of their parents, they go through a great deal of emotions. Many feel as if it is their fault that their parents are separating, while many begin acting out and become angry with others. This is another reason why explaining to your children why you and your spouse are divorcing is very important.
To help you make this process easier, here are six strategies for talking with your kids about divorce. While it may seem beyond your capabilities, just remember that there are ways to make it easier on both yourself and your children.
Talk to your children with your spouse, if possible. If you present a united front to your children, they may not be as confused about the situation.
Carefully, and appropriately, explain the reasons for the divorce. Make sure whatever you tell your children is appropriate to their age and maturity level.
Make it clear that the divorce is not the child’s fault. Many children struggle with guilt during their parent’s separation. Be sure to reiterate that this is not their fault.
Maintain eye contact and a calm attitude. In order for your children to believe the situation, you must remain calm and truthful. If you begin to get angry, the child may become angry and upset as well.
Avoid blaming your spouse. Although you will have personal issues with your spouse, they are still the child’s parent. Do not put down your spouse to the child. This will only create more stress on the child, making them feel like they should have to pick sides when they should not.
Allow plenty of time for children to ask questions. They will have many questions as to why this is happening and what is going to happen in the future, and they deserve to have those questions answered to your fullest abilities.
Remember, every family is different. Talking about your divorce with your children can be difficult, but will be a critical step forward in the healing process.
