Estate planning is an important step for Kentucky residents regardless of their financial position, family situation and goals for the future. In many cases, people do not write a will or use another estate planning option because they do not think they have enough property to make it worthwhile. However, when assessing what they own, they have more than they think. It might be surprising to discover that certain demographics are not as vigilant about estate planning as they probably should be. A recent survey by Ameriprise Financial shows that people who range from middle-aged to retirement a ..read more

We always hear about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving, but aggressive driving is also a serious problem in Kentucky. Aggressive driving is responsible for many serious and fatal car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aggressive driving causes 35% of all car accidents and 2/3 of fatal accidents. Signs of aggressive driving These statistics are alarming, but you have probably encountered aggressive drivers on the road. They are usually the drivers who are speeding, weaving through traffic or tailgating other drivers. More serious signs of aggre ..read more

Most Kentucky residents who craft a will do so to ensure their property goes where they want it to go after they are gone. This individual, known as the testator, needs to understand how the law works with a will’s validity in every circumstance. One issue that people need to be aware of is if they get divorced after they have written and executed their will. For these and other issues, it is important to be fully prepared and know what happens with every eventuality. A divorce or annulment will automatically alter a will When a person writes a will and they are married at the time, they are l ..read more

Kentucky business owners know that good contracts are vital to the success of their business. No one forms business contracts expecting one side to fail to perform their duties under the contract. However, you should plan for this when you are drafting your business contracts. It is important for both parties to the contract to have language in place stating what happens if it becomes impossible for one party to form. This can prevent future issues. What could make a contract impossible to perform There are various reasons why it might become impossible for a supplier or other party to your co ..read more

  Most decide to create an estate plan not only to protect their assets but to also help evade disputes and probate. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict all the scenarios the future will bring, meaning, the probate process will be necessary. Even when an estate must enter the probate process, this does not mean it is littered with disputes and complications. A well-crafted estate plan can aid with the probate proceedings, helping the estate move through probate smoothly. But some matters are not so fortunate. When disputes arise during probate, it is important to understand the res ..read more

There has been an ongoing campaign to stop distracted driving, especially when that distracted driving involves the use of phones. For example, Kentucky has laws that prohibit most types of texting and driving, especially for this state’s youngest drivers. However, there is at least some concern that these laws, as well as the many public awareness campaigns, are not having a meaningful impact. One problem is that authorities rarely if ever use information from drivers’ phones after an accident to determine if a motorist was texting and driving. Authorities typically only go to the legal troub ..read more

When people in Kentucky take the wise and necessary step of creating an estate plan, they are often unsure of how to proceed. This is true whether the person has substantial assets or is of more modest means. Before moving forward, writing the will and having it executed, people need to focus on their priorities. These can differ based on individual circumstances. Concentrating on the basics is wise from the outset. Circumstances dictate how to craft an estate plan People need to look at their personal and professional situation as they create their estate plan. An older person who owns a home ..read more

Residents of Northern Kentucky may find themselves involved in a dispute over a will or trust for many reasons. Typically, when people think of probate litigation, they might think about family members fighting amongst themselves or situations where children are pitted against a person’s new spouse. According to a local bar association for a neighboring state, disgruntled family members most frequently make the following types of legal claims: That a loved one did not have the mental ability to make a valid will or trust. Even if they were technically able to make a valid document, another rel ..read more

Boundary disputes can lead to emotional conflicts and expensive litigation between neighbors and within communities. One common dispute arises when a property owner builds a fence that is on a part of a neighbor’s property. Sometimes, this is done intentionally but often it is accidental. This may happen because the property owner is relying on inaccurate land surveys or property records that have not been updated, so they are unaware of where the property line is. If a person uses another person’s land open and continuously and the property owner does not object to it, the land user may becom ..read more

If you own a limited liability company or a limited liability partnership in Kentucky, you may enjoy the benefits of personal asset protection and pass-through taxation. However, these benefits are not guaranteed and can be lost if you do not follow certain rules. Piercing the corporate veil One of the main risks that LLC and LLP owners face is the possibility of the legal doctrine known as piercing corporate veil. This allows a court to hold entity owners personally liable for the company’s debts and obligations. Piercing the corporate veil can happen when an entity is used to abuse the law ..read more