In life, we often plan for the expected and the unexpected. Yet, when it comes to addressing potential incapacity in adulthood, many individuals and families are unprepared. Although adult guardianship may be presented as an option for helping a loved one who is unable to make health, financial, or personal care decisions on their own, it can be an expensive, intrusive, and slow process that may not align with your wishes or timeline.   At Bergeron, Paradis & Fitzpatrick, we believe in empowering our clients to plan for the future while avoiding the need for adult guardianship whenev ..read more

Real estate transactions are complex and typically involve substantial sums of money. As such, they are fertile ground for a variety of legal issues, from contract disputes to title issues. Anytime you are dealing with an investment of this size, it’s in your best interest to seek legal counsel. Whether you’re buying or selling, an unexpected legal matter can easily derail your plans and cost you significant time, money, and resources.  Although most real estate legal issues can occur in any type of real estate transaction and in any location across the country, some potential legal hur ..read more

Are you concerned about the tax implications of leaving wealth to your loved ones? You may wonder whether your estate will be subject to taxes when you die, and how you can reduce your liability. Or you may wonder whether a tax burden will pass to your beneficiaries or heirs. Most Vermonters do not need to be concerned about paying any estate tax when they pass away. In Vermont, estates valued in excess of $5 million are subject to a flat estate tax. However, careful estate planning may help to reduce or even avoid these taxes. At Bergeron, Paradis & Fitzpatrick PC, we believe that every ..read more

In honor of International Child-Centered Divorce Month, which is celebrated every January, today's blog focuses on the impact that divorce can have on children and how to reduce the negative emotional and psychological effects they commonly experience. The child’s personality and the parents’ relationship before, during, and after the divorce dramatically impacts how the child is able to process and deal with the divorce.    Children of all ages, even as adults, may experience behavioral problems and social adjustment issues due to divorce.. However, when divorcing parents act respo ..read more

The Truth is rarely the same for parties involved in a divorce. In the context of divorce, truth can be more malleable than participants expect. The old saying that there are two sides to every story is taken to the extreme by the rollercoaster of emotions, general anxiety and confusion that can occur at any and all times during the divorce process. There are often four or five versions of a story. Probably the best examples of this are:  the reasons for the breakup, who has done more with the children, and which party was irresponsible with money. As attorneys, when we communicate with ..read more

The decision to hire a real estate lawyer in Vermont is generally based on the type and complexity of the transaction, and your unique needs. Although you are not required by law to have legal representation when buying or selling a property in Vermont, it is in your best interest to do so. Additionally, if you are financing your lender may require that you hire a title attorney. Real estate transactions typically involve a substantial amount of money, and an attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary headaches.  Hiring an attorney provides an added level of protection ..read more

The Urban Legend #1: Minors choosing where they can live. One of the most widely circulated urban legends that I encounter in the practice of divorce law is that there is an age at which children can legally choose the parent with whom they will reside. I have heard ages 12, 14 and 16 regularly. In fact, there is no age at which a minor has a legal right to choose. Once a child reaches the age of 18 he or she is no longer a child and therefore, at that time, has a choice The commonly accepted adage from many practitioners and judges is that children “vote with their feet”, meaning that they ..read more

There is a general misconception that estate planning is for the wealthy, but estate planning is absolutely not reserved for people with large “estates.” In legal terms, the word estate simply refers to your possessions, whether that happens to mean multiple properties and millions in investments, or a small home and checking account.   Estate planning creates a road map to ensure that your dignity and rights are protected if you become unable to make decisions on your own, and that your wishes are carried out after your death. Think of it as an umbrella term to describe your health care ..read more

This is contained in (Title 9, Chapter 139 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated) which protects potential and existing tenants from unlawful discrimination. It is unlawful under Vermont’s fair housing law for a landlord to “refuse to sell or rent, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling or other real estate to any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, or handicap of a person, or because a person intends to occupy a dwelling with one or more mi ..read more