February 27, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
Placing farm property in a trust-owned limited liability company (LLC) is often a key component of protecting a family farm against estate tax laws, creditors, law suits, nursing homes and other risks so it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations. Specifically, the LLC holding your farm property must be owned by an irrevocable trust.
If youre a farmer in Ohio, undoubtedly youve worked hard for the success of that farm and you want that hard work to benefit your family for many generations to come. Unfortunately, state and federal estate tax laws, debt obligations, nursing homes and other factors can put your farm at risk upon your death if proper succession planning is not in place.
While proper succession planning consists of many parts, an important part is often to create an irrevocable trust to own the LLC holding your Ohio or Dayton real estate. A lawyer can help you with this by drawing up the necessary legal documents that form the irrevocable trust, designate the beneficiaries, and describe what is to happen to the property and LLC upon your death.
Property in a Trust-Owned Limited Liability Company is Protected Against Most Debts and Lawsuits; Estate Taxes can be Minimized
By placing your farm property in a trust-owned LLC, the property becomes owned by the LLC, which is a legal entity just like a corporation, rather than being owned by you. Since you dont own it any more, the property is protected from many forms of debt and lawsuits. The irrevocable trust that owns the LLC adds another layer of protection and ensures that the LLC and property it holds is passed on to your chosen beneficiaries.
To more fully protect your Ohio or Dayton real estate, a lawyer with expertise in estate planning and business law can draft legal documents to create limited liability corporations, insurance trusts and other entities that work together to protect your farming business and personal assets for inheritance by your family.
Farm property in a trust-owned LLC can also avoid estate taxes. Estate tax law usually takes effect when property transfers to the beneficiaries. However, the legal documents for your irrevocable trust can specify that your beneficiaries can make use of the property while ownership is retained by the irrevocable trust and the LLC. Since the property is never transferred to the beneficiaries, estate tax laws never come into play.
Placing property in a trust-owned limited liability company is just one tool used to minimize estate taxes and other risks to your Ohio or Dayton real estate. A lawyer knowledgeable in succession planning and estate planning can show you additional ways to help you prepare a complete succession plan for your farm.
February 27, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
From getting pregnant to effectively handling the stages of childhood and even keeping a marriage together through it all, being a parent today is a full time occupation. Of all the occupations in the world, none are as challenging or as rewarding as raising a family. The journey is one of self discovery and personal development. The lessons learned are some of the most important you will encounter. The heartaches come, as do the blessings. If you survive through your family problems, you will earn a sense of satisfaction unlike anything you could imagine.
Women of all ages struggle with pregnancy. For some, a pregnancy may be unplanned. For others, pregnancy is a miracle. Some women struggle with carrying the baby to term. 1 in 3 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Even more have issues with infertility. Tubal obstructions, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts are all causes of infertility in women. Overcoming infertility can be an expensive, time consuming challenge. It is becoming more and more rare to find a normal pregnancy where everything happened from start to finish as it was planned, if it was even planned at all. But in the end, no matter how they get here, there is a reason babies are called a “bundle of joy.”
Once the baby is born, especially a first child, parents often find themselves overwhelmed and underprepared. The unknown is always scary and nothing is more so than a brand new baby. Its life is in your hands and you realize you have no idea what you’re doing. The crying, the colic, diaper rash, and worrying about the terrifying Sudden Infant Death Syndrome can give a new parent many sleepless nights. In addition to all the worrying, newborns rarely sleep through the night. You can always tell a new parent by the sleepless zombie gaze.
Eventually you develop a routine with your newborn and get to know its wants and needs. All of that is about to change. As your child becomes mobile, they move into the toddler stage. At first this is an exciting time. New parents get excited about the baby’s first steps and the real words the baby starts using. Then your toddler learns the one word that will change their life and yours – no. This is their first taste of free will, and boy do they choose to exercise it.
This can be an intensely stressful time for parents. Temper tantrums, fits, and refusing to cooperate are how the word “terrible” became attached to the word “twos.” The terrible twos are when boundaries are first recognized. Patiently learning communication skills is your most valuable asset in getting through these family problems. Once they have settled into their boundaries, the toddler years become an exciting time of discovery. As a parent, you get to see the world again through the eyes of your child.
As your child develops, you’ll notice that they mimic things around them. They’ll act like characters from books and television. They will pretend to talk on the phone and say the exact things you do. Conversation skills develop. And somewhere around age 8, they begin seeking their own independence. It’s not that they’re trying to break away from you (that comes later in the teen years). What they’re really attempting to do is define who they are. This is a crucial time for a parent to learn when to and when not to enforce boundaries. Of course you want to protect your child. However, at this point they need to be allowed to make their own mistakes so they can start to learn how to handle them. They also need to learn to be accountable for their actions.
By the time your child reaches the teenage years, if you haven’t already invested in some form of parenting education it is time to start. Once they hit the teenage years, your child has the reasoning skills of an adult without the life experience to back it up. That can make for a challenging time for both the child and the parent. It’s not uncommon for a sweet and loving child to grow into an abusive child when they reach the stage when hormones rage rampantly and social pressures put them into a position to make hard decisions without the experience to back them up. They will develop emotions that they don’t know how to express or control. You can help them through this time, but you could use some help yourself. With some patience and a bit of understanding, your child can finally grow up and you can look back with that sense of satisfaction mentioned earlier.
From the time the child is born until the time they can be considered an adult, you are their number one role model. “Do as I say, not as I do,” is not something you’re going to find in any book on parenting. It makes us accountable for our actions, just as we expect our children to be. Having children can make you want to be a better person. Overcoming the challenges of raising children and dealing with family problems builds your own self-confidence. You give so much to your children over the years. If you’re paying attention, they’re giving back to you as well.
February 22, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
Do you want to get an intruder alarm system, but can’t make up your mind about whether this is a good idea for your family or not? There are people in the world that don’t think having an alarm is necessary, but there are many reasons why having one is definitely necessary.
Understanding what these reasons are will help you see why an alarm system is definitely a necessity if you are serious about keeping your family safe. Below are the most important reasons to understand.
1. Keep intruders out – This is the biggest reason you need one to protect your family. You never know when or if an intruder will try to enter your home.
Alarm systems are effective for keeping most of them out because most burglars won’t try and get into a home that is secured with an alarm. They want an easy target to steal from, but they don’t want to be caught.
If an intruder does try to get in, even with the alarm on your home, then they will not have long to take your things before the authorities arrive. This gives you a good chance of ensuring they are caught before they can get away.
2. Can protect from more than one danger – There are more dangers that your family can face at home besides burglary. Fire and carbon monoxide are two of the very real dangers that can happen to any family at any time.
Many of the systems that can be found these days will provide you security protection from these other dangers. This will help you ensure that your family has the best and most complete security possible.
3. Protection when you are away from home – There will be many times that you and your family is not at home. This is one of the times when you need security the most because this is the time that many burglars will try to get into your home.
Your neighbors will be alerted to the danger so they can call for help when you have an alarm system on your home.
If you get monitored security, they will also call the proper authorities immediately, especially if you alert them that you will be out of town.
You need to take steps to protect your family now that you understand why an intruder alarm system really is a necessity for any home. The sooner you get one, the sooner you can have peace of mind knowing your family is as safe as they can be when they are at home.
February 21, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, family is defined as a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head.
While this is a rather vague way of defining what normally constitutes a family, widespread assumption at one time was that a family was made up of a married couple and children produced by the two of them.
With the changes in usual American families over the past fifty years or so comes the realization that the traditional family of times past has nearly become a minority.
How, exactly, have families changed? Lets take a brief at some of these common family changes.
A half-century ago, divorce in in the United States was very uncommon, and those who chose to get a divorce were often shunned as social outcasts. Today, more than half of of marriages in the US end in divorce. Couples dont stay together just for the kids anymore. In addition, is that women arent often limited to staying in an unhappy marriage since they have more opportunities to work and support themselves and their kids. Further, divorce has become so common that it isnt unexpected any more.
Nowadays, many couples who divorce share custody of their children and the odds are that each will remarry. The second marriage of each person may produce children that are half-siblings to those from the first marriage. For any of these kids from either marriage, there are numerous brothers and sisters, half-brothers and sisters, a mother, a father, step-parents. All of these people can be considered family since they are close relatives that spend time together as a family.
Adoptingkids is also more common now and the adopted children are considered a part of the family that has adopted them. Foster children may live in homes for a short period of time or indefinitely. Some couples have numerous children from different parents living under their roof at one time and may consider this to be their family.
There is also a whole new world that has opened up in society with the controversy involving gay marriage. Gay couples live openly in committed relationships and have children either through adoption or surrogates. These are as far from the traditional definition of family as you can get, yet they are growing in number and are considered by most people to be families.
It is also inadequate to define a family as any group of people who live under one roof since your close family members may live far away from you and you can share a residence with someone as a roommate that you arent even close friends with.
Perhaps the best way to define the word family is by naming the thing that it is not limited to. A family is not limited to those who are genetically related. A family is not defined by its social status or name. A family is not limited to the number of people within its hold. It is not confined to certain religious beliefs, social acceptance, or similarity in interests or behaviors, similarity in color, or origin.
A family is made up of two or more people who have feelings towards each other that are based on what they have in common whether it is blood or respect or anything that matters to the people involved.
February 16, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
When we imagine where the best places for a LGBT family to live is, places like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles come immediately to mind. But what if those giant metropolises aren’t your cup of tea, and you prefer a smaller city to settle down in? While marriage laws still fight to be recognized in big and small cities alike, nothing has slowed down the proliferation of “gay families” across not only the U.S., but in Canada and Europe, too.
Here is list of smaller cities that have some wonderful things to offer the LGBT family and should not be overlooked if you are considering relocating and starting a family some time soon. These may not be the most obvious picks, and that’s why we wanted to bring them to your attention.
When doing research for our picks for the “top cities to live in for gay families,” we decided to include some of the lesser-known gay-friendly cities. The recipients of our list were chosen based on the following criteria:
An active gay community
Health care accessibility
Housing costs / cost of living
Educational opportunities
Recreational activities
Employment opportunities / economy
Here are our picks:
Atlanta, Georgia
This four-season city hosts a myriad of festivals throughout the year, is steeped in history, and offers families a wealth of opportunities for outdoor adventure. A big draw for families is easy access to city greenspace. Centennial, Piedmont, Candler, Grant, and Chastain parks, just to name a few. And it’s a dog-friendly city; every village has a dog park. You’ll find a wide range of neighborhoods to choose from in “Hot-lanta,” both in the city and outside the perimeter (or OTP, as it’s called by the locals). Midtown, known as the heart of the arts, is home to The Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Piedmont Park, The Woodruff Arts Center, and The Fox Theatre. Bungalows and skyscrapers, restaurants and churches, all share space in this very gay-friendly community. Atlanta was deemed “The Gayest City in America,” by The Advocate Magazine recently. In doing research across the nation’s cities, correspondent Mike Albo awarded points based on same-sex households per capita, statewide marriage equality, gay elected officials, and more.
Decatur is fast becoming the top pick for 30-somethings who are just starting a family. Besides offering a charming, small-town feel, the big draw to the city is quality schools. The city schools of Decatur are recognized as being in the top 10 in the entire nation.
Georgia: permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Adoption resources: The Giving Tree 720 Church St. Decatur GA 30030 404/633-3383
Georgia Mentor 2799
Lawrenceville Hwy Suite 205 Decatur, GA 30033 770/496-5500 fax 770/496-0101
Phoenix, Arizona
Located between two mountain ranges and boasting more than 300 days of sunshine, this city offers tons of recreational opportunities for families. Gay families make their homes throughout the valley, and as the city grows, more and more families are setting up camp in Tempe, Chandler, and Glendale, where a growing number of businesses are popping up to accommodate the expanding population. Affordable housing, outstanding healthcare, diverse cultural influence, top-notch medical care, and a vast array of activities make this a perfect place to raise a family. The community’s motto for this large, active gay community is “You’re welcome here anytime,” and the state motto, “Live and let live,” really say it all.
In case you and yours are planning to tie the knot, we found this great service to help you start planning your “Modern Union”: check out MRSTER.
Arizona: Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Adoption resource: Aid to Adoption of Special Kids 2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix AZ 85006 602/254-2275
Bloomington, Indiana
According to the Bloomington C&VB, Bloomington is “home to the nation’s fifth largest per capita population of same-sex couples and one of the most progressive cities in the Midwest, both socially and politically.” You’ll find a diverse local population, a large University (home to the famous Dr. Kinsey and his Kinsey Research Institute) and lots of ethnic restaurants, art galleries and shops sprinkled throughout the city. Families can enjoy a variety of performances on the world-renowned IU School of Music campus, including theater, ballet, and opera.
Outdoor activities are in abundance in this city. Home to the state’s largest inland lake, Lake Monroe and the only national forest, you can go hiking, boating, fishing, or just spend the day at the park. Whatever your idea of outdoor fun involves, you’ll find it here.
Accolades and quotes about the city, that helped us choose it for our list, include: Bloomington was named number one “surprisingly gay small town destination” by Advocate.com and OutTraveler.com The Wall Street Journal ranked the Indiana University Kelley School of Business at number five in the nation on its list of favorite regional programs and number two on its list of public schools.
The verdict: “Whether you’re gay, straight or somewhere in between, Bloomington offers something rarely found in this country: a small town with a bold history of openness and acceptance.” Out Traveler Magazine.
Indiana: Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Iowa City, Iowa
Big city amenities and small town hospitality give Iowa City the thumbs-up for one of our favorite cities to live in. A stroll through the downtown plaza and you’ll find a real sense of community and friendly commerce. You’ll find couples lounging in outdoor cafes on one corner, and the sounds of a local jazz band playing a catchy tune on the area’s outdoor mini stage on another. Tack on the fact that Iowa is a state that allows gay men and women to become foster parents and adopt, and it’s a home-run for couples looking for a place to settle down and raise a family. The legalization of same-sex marriages took effect last spring in the progressive state of Iowa, as well. The city is so progressive that there isn’t much of a gay infrastructure. It’s more of the “live and let live” mentality that resonates across the communities here.
The progressive state of Iowa has a long history of protecting equal rights. They repealed laws against interracial marriage, slavery and segregated schools long before the federal government. It’s also one of the few states that has a law protecting students from sexuality-based harassment. Some of the reasons residents tout the city as one of the best places to raise a family include: Low crime rate Excellent school system Affordable housing Diverse, stable economy
Home to the University of Iowa, Iowa: Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas. Children’s Home Society & Family Services (*see Minnesota listings for main office) 210 Second Street, SE, Suite 705, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 (319)363-4088 or (800)952-9302 ext 2488
Portland, Oregon
Portland is known for its abundance of parks, green spaces and proximity to natural wonders that include the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood.
Portland’s vibrant, diverse neighborhoods are home to all types of people, but it’s the cafs and markets, the art, parks, plazas, vistas and sanctuaries, that give the city its soul. Major performing arts institutions include the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony, Portland Center Stage, and the Portland Opera. More than 75 other arts organizations offer theatre, music, dance, and folk art in Portland, helping Portland achieve its reputation as an arts destination for cultural tourists. In 2006, the city was named the 10th best Big City Arts Destination in the U.S by American Style magazine. Portland has had plenty of notable accolades. It was rated the Best Walking City and Best Bicycling City in America, and took the Number 1 spot for eco-friendly (green!) city in America in publications and was deemed the third “Least Wasteful City in America” by Nalgene Outdoor. Iowa city placed six in the quest for “fittest city in America” by Men’s Fitness. Not too shabby!
Oregon: Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Adoption resource: Open Adoption & Family Services 5200 SW Macadam Ave., Ste. 250 Portland OR 97239 (503)226-4870 or (800)772-1115 Para Espaol: 1(800)985-6763