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ESTATE PLANNING
Q. Is there a difference between a will and a living will?
A. Yes. A will is a formally signed document that indicates
who is to get your property at your death and who will be in charge
of paying your final bills and things like that. It can also
appoint a new guardian for your minor children if both you and
your spouse die. It has no effect whatsoever while you are alive.
A living will is also called a Natural Death Declaration. It
is a formally signed document stating your intentions if you have
a terminal condition or illness and whether or not you want extraordinary
life-sustaining measures employed.
Q. I have drawn my own will and signed it. Is it valid?
A. Maybe. To be valid, a will must be signed in a certain way.
It requires two witnesses and that certain formalities be followed.
If the technicalities are not followed, then the will is not valid.
The technicalities vary from state to state, and they can change
from year to year as the state legislatures change the laws.
Q. The deed to my house has my name and my husband’s name on
it. If something happens to one of us, will it automatically
go to the survivor?
A. Maybe. If the deed contains the magic words "joint tenants
with right of survivorship" then the property would go to the survivor.
If the deed does not contain the magic words, then the property
will not automatically pass to the survivor. The same holds true
for titles to other property like checking accounts, cd’s, stocks,
savings accounts etc.
Q. What is Federal Estate Tax?
A. The federal government taxes your estate when you die. They
base the tax on all assets owned by you at your death (including
life insurance) together with all taxable gifts that you have
made since 1976. Currently, the first $675,000 per decedent passes
to heirs tax-free. The tax rates on amounts above $675,000 start
at 37% and go up from there to a maximum of 55%. There are ways
for a couple to pass up to $1,350,000 or more tax-free to their
children with a little proper planning. These exemptions will
raise to $1,000,000 by 2006.
Q. What is a living will?
A. A living will, also known as a "Natural Death Declaration,"
is a statement in writing directing your physician, in the event
you suffer a terminal condition, to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining
procedures that would otherwise artificially prolong the dying
process. There are certain formalities which must be followed
in making a living will and assuring that others comply with your
decisions. This document is often part of a comprehensive estate
plan.
Q. What is a durable power of attorney?
A. A durable power of attorney is a written document that appoints
someone else to make financial and other important decisions
for the person granting the authority. The authority granted
can be narrow and specific or more general and comprehensive.
This document is often part of a comprehensive estate plan and
can be very useful in helping an elderly person manage business
affairs.
Q. What is joint tenancy?
A. Joint tenancy is a form of property ownership where two or
more persons share ownership of personal property or real estate.
It has the special attribute of "survivorship" so that when one
owner dies, his or her interest passes automatically to the survivors.
Joint tenancy is sometimes used with other tools like wills and
trusts to achieve a person's estate planning goals. It is very
appropriate in some situations and not at all appropriate in other
situations.
Q. My mother died 11 years ago, and we just found her will while
going through papers. Do we need to do anything with it?
A. Except under extremely limited circumstances, a will must
be filed for probate within 6 months of death or it is void.
Your mother’s property would have passed by the intestate succession
laws of the State of Kansas to her heirs.
Q. I have just moved to Kansas from California. Do I need to
change my will or trust?
A. It depends. A will that was valid where signed should be
valid in all 50 states. The laws of each state differ, however,
and you may begin to acquire Kansas property that is not properly
treated in your California will. It is always a good practice
to have a lawyer in your new state of residence look at your estate
planning documents so you know they still carry out your plan.
Q.. How do we determine how our children are raised if something
happens to both of us?
A. Kansas law allows you to appoint guardians and conservators
for your children in the event of your death in a will or trust.
At your death the court will appoint whomever you chose unless
they are unfit. By exercising this right you can avoid family
fights over who gets the kids, and you can know that your chosen
person will raise your kids.
Q. I want somebody to be able to help me pay my bills. Shouldn’t
I just add my son’s name on all my accounts at the bank?
A. Probably not. By adding his name to your account as a joint
tenant you have given him an ownership interest in the account.
His creditors may be able to reach the account or it may become
entangled in his divorce action or bankruptcy. At your death
the account would just belong to your son to the exclusion of
your other children. A durable power of attorney that appoints
your son is a much better way to get help paying bills.
Q. My mother just died and left me some property. Do I owe
income tax on this?
A. Usually no. Property you inherit comes income tax-free unless
you are the beneficiary of an IRA account or a pension plan of
some sort. These items carry with them income tax consequences,
but other items come income tax-free. There may be Kansas Estate
Tax or Federal Estate Tax due in some cases. Proper planning
can reduce or eliminate tax in many situations.
Q. I am a widow, and for reasons that are best known to me,
I would like to leave all of my property to my church rather than
to my children at my death. Can my children challenge this?
A. As long as you are mentally competent, Kansas law allows
you to leave your property to anybody you wish. Children have
no right to inherit in Kansas if you wish otherwise. The only
people who have rights to inherit are spouses; in Kansas you cannot
disinherit a spouse without their consent. This is an area that
requires close attention to details if you wish to avoid problems.
Q. I don’t want them hooking me up to all those machines when
I'm at the end of my life. Is there some way I can stop it?
A. A Natural Death Declaration, or Living Will, is a legal document
that expresses your wishes in this regard. When two doctors agree
that you have a terminal condition and that procedures would only
artificially prolong the dying process, then this document directs
that such procedures be withheld or withdrawn and that you be
permitted to die naturally. This document is usually part of
a well-coordinated estate plan.
Q. What is a TOD deed?
A. The Kansas legislature has authorized some property to be
held in a form of ownership that automatically passes the property
to your named beneficiaries at your death. This avoids probate
but not taxes and some creditors’ claims. This has previously
been allowed for bank accounts, credit union accounts, savings
and loan association accounts, stock brokerage accounts, federal
savings bonds and securities. As of July 1, 1997, real estate
was added to the authorized list. A ‘Transfer on Death’ deed
is required to be signed and recorded to affect this kind of ownership.
Q. You have previously mentioned POD accounts and TOD deeds.
How about cars and trucks?
A. The legislature has authorized certain types of property
to be titled in a special way to pass automatically to your beneficiaries
at your death. The list includes bank accounts, credit union
accounts, savings association accounts, securities, brokerage
accounts, savings bonds, real estate and vehicle titles. This
avoids probate but not taxes and some creditors’ claims. You must
re-register your car title in this form of ownership and send
it in to have a new title issued.
Q. I recently put my assets in a revocable trust and now want
to change some of the provisions. Is this possible?
A. Usually yes. One of the attributes of a revocable trust
is that you can amend it or revoke it at any time. It is usually
a better practice to ‘restate’ your trust with your changes rather
than string along a whole series of amendments. This keeps things
as clear as possible as your intent changes over the years and
avoids hurt feelings as beneficiaries don’t have to read that
they were included and then reduced or excluded from your plan.
It also tends to lessen chances for litigation in the interpretation
of the trust.
Q. How big does my estate have to be before I should worry about
taxes when I die?
A. There are two types of death taxes. The Kansas Estate Tax
and the Federal Estate Tax. There is an exemption before they
tax equal to $675,000 for people dying in 2000-2001, $700,000
for 2002-2003, $850,000 for 2004, $950,000 for 2005, and $1,000,000
for those dying in 2006 and after. These amounts can often be
doubled for married couples with proper estate planning.
Q. Does a person granted Power of Attorney by someone in failing
health, have a LEGAL responsibility to manage the finances in
a manner that protects the interests of the sick person?
A. When someone is granted authority under a power of attorney
to act for another, they probably have no legal obligation to
act with that authority. However, once they begin to act, they
stand in a fiduciary capacity to the grantor of the power and
can be held liable for mis-uses of the power. The attorney in
fact cannot use the power for his personal profit or advantage.
He must exercise it, if he exercises it at all, for the benefit
of the grantor.
Q. I understand that the Kansas Legislature changed the Kansas
Inheritance Tax. What did they do?
A. Kansas formerly taxed a beneficiary’s right to inherit.
Each beneficiary owed the tax but it was normally paid by the
estate. The rate of tax depended on how you were related to the
decedent. Children received the first $30,000 tax-free, and they
imposed a tax on all amounts in excess of that. This tax was
due regardless of how the children received the assets (joint
tenancy, will, trust). A child who received $200,000 would owe
about $5,050 in tax. The legislature abolished this tax and replaced
it with a Kansas Estate Tax that exempts the first $675,000 of
estate value this year. This exemption increases to $1,000 in
2006.
Q. I lost my husband several years ago and wish to remarry.
Should I consider some sort of agreement so my assets will go
to my kids at my death?
A. Yes. They are called ‘Premarital Agreements’ and they make
good sense in your situation. If you do not have an agreement
like this, your assets may all wind up going to his kids after
you are gone. It is entirely possible that your kids would get
nothing.
Q. My health is failing and I am considering a nursing home.
Is there any reason I should not give all of my assets to my kids?
A. Yes. Medicaid will pay for your nursing home care if you
run out of your own assets. Medicaid rules disqualify you if
you have made gifts within 36 months of applying (60 months for
some transfers). This is a very complicated area of the law with
ever-changing rules. I would highly recommend that you speak
to a qualified attorney prior to making the gifts.
Q. Do I need a will or a trust?
A. That depends entirely upon your circumstances. State law
dictates how your property will pass in the event that you do
not have a will. If you have a will or trust you can implement
your more specific desires and you can do it more comprehensively.
There is a current trend toward trusts (even on smaller estates)
to avoid the effort and expense of probate, to maintain privacy,
to provide more flexibility and to manage finances in the event
of incapacity.
Q. I'm getting older. Should I add my children's name to the
deed for my house or farm?
A. There are several issues involved and potential problems
with this arrangement, including possible gift and estate tax
implications and Medicaid eligibility issues. You will need the
signatures of the child and his or her spouse if you wish to sell
or mortgage the property. Also, if the child becomes involved
with creditors, tax problems, litigation or a divorce, additional
problems may arise which cause you troubles and expense. In some
circumstances it is possible to lose the property.
Q. I am thinking of making gifts to my children, but I have
heard there is a tax on gifts. When does the tax apply?
A. A person can give up to $10,000 per year per person to an
unlimited number of recipients without gift tax. Gifts over $10,000
in a year to a single donee are "taxable gifts," for
which a gift tax return must be filed. However, a tax credit
allows a donor to give $675,000 in taxable gifts (those exceeding
$10,000) during life without paying gift tax. Once total taxable
gifts reach $675,000, each subsequent taxable gift is taxed starting
at a 37% rate. Use of the credit during your lifetime also prevents
its use to offset estate taxes.
Q. My aunt’s health is failing and she needs someone to help
her with her business. Can this be accomplished fairly easily?
A. Usually, Yes. Assuming your aunt is still competent, a durable
power of attorney may be executed, giving you the authority to
transact business for her. If she's not competent, you may have
to consider going through the courts to establish a conservatorship
for her. There are also healthcare powers of attorney that would
enable you to help her with making healthcare decisions if she
is unable. A trust may also be appropriate. These documents
can be done individually or in connection with a more comprehensive
estate plan. In any event, there are mechanisms that allow you
to help her with her needs.
Q. My mother is failing noticeably, is it too late to do a will?
A. Probably not. As long as she knows the general nature of
her property and who she wants to receive it, she is likely still
competent to execute estate planning documents. The test is not
whether she is still able to do her own business. It is important
that various formalities be followed in executing these documents,
and it is particularly important with your mother’s current health
circumstances.
Q. I have read that you should not keep your original will in
a safe deposit box because nobody would have access to it if you
die. Is this correct?
A. No. Kansas law provides that when the holder of a safe deposit
box dies, the bank may open the box in the presence of those who
claim an interest in the contents and remove any will for delivery
to the court. The bank should also allow you to remove life insurance
policies and deliver them to the beneficiaries. The remainder
of the contents can be removed after the executor of the estate
is appointed.
Q. I have a durable power of attorney. Do I also need a will?
A. A durable power of attorney allows someone you appoint to
do business for you while you are alive. Legally, the authorization
contained in a power of attorney ceases at death. A will is one
of the several ways to pass property to your beneficiaries at
your death. A will has nothing to do with your property while
you are alive. The answer to your question is that you probably
need both a power of attorney and a will. These documents are
normally part of a coordinated estate plan that all persons should
have in place.
Q. Is there a difference between a Durable Power of Attorney
and a Healthcare Power of Attorney?
A. Yes. A Durable Power of Attorney generally applies to business
and financial matters only. Without this document a court-ordered
conservatorship may become necessary in the event of incompetency.
A Healthcare Power of Attorney, as the name implies, refers to
healthcare matters like consenting to medical procedures, making
living arrangements and things like that. Without this document,
a court-ordered guardianship may become necessary in the event
of incompetency. A coordinated estate plan will normally include
both of these powers of attorney because they do different things.
DIVORCE, CUSTODY AND FAMILY LAW
A word of caution: The following frequently asked questions are
based upon our experience in Harvey County and the surrounding
counties here in Kansas. Some of the rules that we talk about
are unique to Harvey County itself. Certainly our answers are
based on Kansas law so if you are from another state you should
not take our answers as being appropriate for your jurisdiction
and you should contact an attorney where you are to help you with
issues. Thanks for looking at our web page and if we can be of
help, please let us know.
Q. Is marital counseling required in a divorce?
A. No. Our Courts in Harvey County and some other counties
do require that parents attend Divorce Impact Education to familiarize
them with the effects of divorce upon children, but actual marital
counseling is not required. Most attorneys will assess reconciliation
issues and discuss counseling options and alternatives with you
if the divorce doesn't appear to be inevitable. It is also possible
to ask the Court to order marital counseling.
Q. I've only been married 3 months and I want a divorce. Will
the Court give my husband half of my assets?
A. With such a short marriage it is more likely that the Court
will give to each of you the assets and debts that you brought
into the marriage. As time goes on, the view shifts toward an
equal division of the property, but the Court will consider other
factors also.
Q. My husband is threatening a divorce, and our home is in his
name alone. Does he get the house?
A. Not Necessarily. How property is titled or owned is not
determinative of who will wind up with the property. Factors
considered by the Court include the length of the marriage, the
time, source and manner of acquisition of the property, the parties’
earning capacities and other factors that the Court considers
necessary to make a just and reasonable division of the property.
Q. Where can I file for Divorce?
A. A divorce can generally be filed in any state in which either
party has resided for a period of residence as prescribed by state
law. However, if more than divorce itself is sought (e.g., child
custody and support or division of property), special jurisdictional
rules may apply.
Q. My husband is really causing me problems, and I've just got
to get away from him. Can I get a divorce quickly?
A. There is a procedure in Kansas for an emergency divorce.
Our Courts cannot finalize a divorce for 60 days unless the Court
declares that an emergency exists. These are usually based upon
the health needs of one of the parties as expressed by a physician
or mental health professional or, at times, they are based upon
extreme abuse or other similarly heightened circumstances.
Q. I'm in an abusive relationship. What can I do to protect
myself?
A. Kansas has special laws that allow you to seek orders from
the Court to protect you (and your children) from an abuser.
A Protection From Abuse Act case may be filed, and the Court will
quickly, based upon adequate evidence, issue a protective order.
In addition, a restraining order may be obtained in a divorce
case to protect you. Harvey County is also fortunate to have
an active Domestic Violence group to assist in these cases.
Q. My husband and I are divorcing. We're openly talking about
property settlement. How do we decide what's fair?
A. Our Courts consider the age of the parties, the length of
the marriage, the parties’ earning capacities and the time, source
and manner of acquisition of the property in determining who gets
what (and who pays what debts). The best advice is to talk it
through and then review it with an attorney to get their opinion
on what the Court might do with the case.
Q. What are some of the tax issues involved in a divorce?
A. Many transactions involved in a divorce do not have any tax
effect. Obviously, your filing status will change, and if you
are paying or receiving spousal support, it is deductible to the
paying party and income to the receiving party. If your assets
are sold, a gain may be recognized and you should consider taxes
in valuing assets, particularly retirement accounts.
Q. My wife filed for divorce last week, and there's an Order
that says I get to see the kids only when she wants me too. What
can I do about it?
A. My guess is that the order says that you're entitled to "reasonable
parenting time" as the parties can agree upon. If you're
having problems, you're entitled to a hearing with the Court to
determine if the temporary order entered is fair and in the best
interests of the children. We can also ask the Court to more
specifically set out when the children will spend time with you.
Q. My wife and I are divorcing and our biggest asset is my retirement
account. How do we equitably divide our assets?
A. A retirement account, though in your name and pertaining
to your employment, can be divided between the two of you. You
can do this by agreement, or the Court can order it in a trial
setting. Through a special Court order, the account can be separated
into two separate accounts, one for you and one for your wife,
with the balance divided between the two of you in any amounts.
Through this procedure, if done correctly, no tax should be recognized
at the time of your divorce on this asset.
Q. I’ve heard that alimony is required now in Harvey County?
A. Well, the law hasn’t changed and what’s now called spousal
maintenance is proper in a number of cases depending upon the
length of the marriage, the relative earnings and finances of
the parties and several other factors. In addition, the local
Bar Association has adopted some guidelines to help lawyers in
advising clients, but these are not at all firm and are not formally
adopted by our Courts.
Q. Is it important that I file for divorce before my spouse
does?
A. This depends on whether temporary possession of property,
temporary custody and temporary support appear to be at issue.
The party who initiates the action asks the Court to decide these
temporary issues without initial input from the other side. It
may be advantageous to be the proposer of this temporary order.
If the opposition is unhappy with the temporary order the Court
will schedule a hearing rapidly to re-visit temporary issues,
but this requires action and expense on the part of the party
seeking a change of the temporary order.
Q. Is it possible for one attorney to handle our entire divorce?
A. Yes. But that one attorney can only represent one of you
- not both of you. If the two of you agree on all of the issues,
you can have your attorney prepare the pleadings and handle matters
with the Court. If your husband reads the documents and is comfortable
signing them, you may avoid the cost of a second attorney. Certainly
if your husband has any questions, he should consult his own counsel.
Q. My wife has filed for Divorce, and the papers say that I
have to get out of the house immediately. Can I fight it?
A. Yes. You are entitled to a hearing on the temporary orders
that are issued when a divorce is filed. This hearing is held
within 10 days after you request it. It is important that you
not delay in requesting the hearing, and it is also important
that temporary possession of the premises be coordinated with
the Court and counsel so that you are not arrested or held in
contempt for violating the orders.
Q. Our ex-daughter-in-law won't let us see the grandkids. Can
we do anything about it?
A. You bet. Kansas law provides that visitation may be granted
for grandparents and also for former stepparents. It will be
important to show a substantial relationship with the children
and that it is in their best interests to continue to see you.
Q. Can my wife and I agree on child support different from the
Court's guidelines?
A. Generally, yes. As long as you have logical reasons for
varying, and it is clear that the children will be financially
provided for under your plan, our Courts will usually allow you
to deviate from the guidelines and approve your agreement.
Q. How do Courts determine child support?
A. Kansas has enacted Child Support Guidelines which are used
to numerically calculate a presumed amount of support. The support
is calculated based upon the parents’ incomes, health insurance
and child care costs, and the number and ages of the children.
The Court can vary from the presumption based upon such things
as long distance visitation costs, income tax considerations and
the overall financial condition of the parties.
Q. What is mediation?
A. Mediation is a process of dispute resolution that attempts
to help the parties solve their dispute without the ultimate intervention
of the Court. The mediator is neutral and strives to help the
parties see the issues and explore ways of settling matters without
more drastic and expensive Court action. It is often helpful
in divorce and child custody matters as well as other civil disputes.
The Court can order mediation as a step in a lawsuit or the parties
can simply contact a mediator without any Court intervention at
all.
Q. It’s been several years since we set my child support. Should
I try to increase it?
A. Usually, yes. Under Kansas’ guidelines you’re entitled to
a review when the children change to a different age group or
upon a significant change in incomes. There are also other factors
that point to the need for a review, such as changes in residence
or custody, special needs, or long distance visitation costs.
Q. My husband and I are contemplating a divorce, and we can't
agree on who the children will live with. What will the Court
do?
A. If you cannot agree, the Court in a Harvey County case
will require that you participate in mediation with a trained
mediator. If you still cannot reach agreement, the Court will
require that an investigation be done by court personnel. The
investigator will interview both of you, will visit your homes
and spend some time with the children, and will interview teachers
and others who have contact with your family. The investigation
ends with a recommendation to the Court which is considered at
trial. The Court, if the matter goes to trial, will consider
what is in the best interests of the children in making its decision.
Q. My ex-husband hasn't seen or contacted our children for years
and my new husband is interested in adopting them. Is that possible?
A. Sure. Stepparent adoptions are most frequently done with
the consent of the non-custodial parent, but there are provisions
in the law allowing adoptions when the non-custodial parent fails
to assume parental duties for a two-year period. Incidental contacts
are generally not considered in this kind of determination.
Q. Should my child support change as my kids get older?
A. Yes. The law presumes that it should be adjusted as a child
nears age 7 and age 16. Clearly it takes more money to care for
children as they get older, and the law provides for that. In
addition, you should seek an adjustment if your ex-spouse’s income
has increased or yours has decreased or if any other significant
changes have occurred.
BUSINESS
Q. I have a partner in my business. Should we consider having
a written agreement?
A. The law provides you with a partnership agreement if you
don't have one in writing, but frequently partners need more than
that framework gives them. For instance, in an agreement, the
partners often agree on a mechanism or a set price to buy out
the surviving family of a deceased partner. Also, compensation,
benefits, powers and disability of a partner are sometimes addressed
in written partnership agreements.
Q. Can I get a lien for work I've done to improve someone's
real estate?
A. Yes. Kansas law allows you to file a lien within 3 or 4
months depending upon the type of claim. The lien gives you an
enhanced ability to collect the debt owed you, particularly if
the debtor is in the process of financing or selling the real
estate. You can also foreclose your lien to satisfy the debt.
Some liens require notice before you start your work. It's extremely
important that all lien procedures be strictly followed.
Q. A customer of mine filed for bankruptcy. Does that mean
I won't get paid?
A. Not necessarily. Some bankruptcy cases are "asset"
cases, which means that there may be some money paid to unsecured
creditors. You may also have special rights, depending upon any
documents that were in place between you and your customer at
the time of the filing. It is important that your transaction
be fully analyzed before you just give up on your claim.
Q. Do I need a written contract to buy a business?
A. A written contract is very advisable. It is important that
the specific assets being purchased are clearly spelled out and
that you have certain written representations about the business.
It is also important to check public records for liens on the
assets being purchased, and a contract should be used to provide
for the orderly transition of the business.
Q. I'm thinking of adding some shareholders to my company.
Is that advisable?
A. That depends. If your motive is to gain additional financing
through the sale of stock to employees or family, that's a possibility
but you should also consider the shift in control and ongoing
management and accountability issues. A shareholder’s agreement
would be very advisable when bringing in outsiders. Tax and securities
law issues should also be considered.
Q. I am going to put more money in my business to expand. Do
I need to document this in any special way?
A. It depends. The structure of your business, including whether
you are a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an L.L.C. or some
form of corporation needs to be considered along with the various
tax implications. In addition, it's important that documentation
correctly portrays the differences between your compensation,
the repayment of loans that you've made to the business, and other
similar matters.
Q. My brother and I are going into partnership. Do we need
an agreement?
A. It’s very advisable, particularly in the event that something
would happen to one of you. There are also other considerations,
such as liability concerns and tax issues that might make it advisable
for you to incorporate or choose one of several other forms of
business, such as a limited liability company or L.L.C.
Q. Which business entity is best for someone wanting to start
their own business?
A. Kansas law recognizes many business entities, including:
sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited
liability companies and corporations. Each business entity has
advantages and disadvantages. The business entity which best
suits the needs of a business owner depends on factors like the
nature of the business, the number of owners and how the business
will be taxed.
Q. My business gets quite a few hot checks. Does it make sense
to turn them to a lawyer for collection?
A. Absolutely. There are provisions in the law that let us
file a civil collection suit against the maker and the law allows
us to recover an additional penalty as well as our attorney fees.
We’ll frequently do these on a percentage fee basis so that there’s
no cost, or a very minor or limited cost, to you.
OTHER MATTERS
Q. My neighbor keeps playing pranks on me like putting a "whistler"
in my tailpipe, ringing the doorbell and running and turning on
my windshield wipers. Is there anything I can do about it?
A. Sure - move. You could also consider filing suit and asking
the Court for a temporary restraining order and ultimately an
injunction which will order your neighbor to refrain from these
acts. You might also consider asking that the Court forbid your
neighbor from continued trespass upon your premises. It is possible
that you could recover monies for the trespass if you can quantify
damages.
Q. How much does it cost to use a lawyer?
A. One answer might be "How much does it cost not to use a lawyer?"
The question is also like asking a carpenter "How much does it
cost to build a house?" The answer sort of depends on what kind
of house you need or what kind of project a lawyer is employed
to complete. The cost question always depends on the specific
facts of each client’s matter. Most lawyers will meet with you
for little or no cost to determine what it is that you need and
then discuss fees.
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