A will is only one part of an estate plan. Some of the most valuable assets a person owns can pass under beneficiary forms instead of under the instructions in a will, which is why beneficiary designation estate planning deserves its own review. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and certain transfer-on-death or payable-on-death accounts may … Read more
When to Update Your Will: Key Life Events to Review
JasonWashington
A will records your wishes at a particular point in your life, so it can become outdated when your family, finances, residence, or relationships change. The right time to update a will is usually after a major life event, but even a quiet period can justify a routine estate plan review. Because wills are governed … Read more
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Key Legal Differences
JasonWashington
Calling someone an independent contractor does not make them one. Neither does issuing a Form 1099 instead of a W-2. In the United States, worker classification depends on the real working relationship and on the particular law being applied. That is why the independent contractor vs employee question can produce different answers for tax, wage-and-hour, … Read more
O-1 Visa Guide for Individuals With Extraordinary Ability
The O-1 visa is often described as a work visa for famous people, but celebrity is not the legal test. Researchers, founders, engineers, athletes, artists, musicians, and other professionals may qualify when their record shows sustained recognition and they are coming to the United States to continue work in their field. The category is demanding, … Read more
L-1 Visa for Intracompany Transfers: Eligibility and Process
An L-1 visa intracompany transfer can be a practical route for a multinational company that needs to move an experienced employee from an overseas office to a related U.S. operation. Unlike the H-1B category, it is not built around an annual lottery, and the employee does not apply independently. The U.S. employer or qualifying organization … Read more
How to Find Out If You Have an Active Warrant
Discovering that you may have an active warrant is stressful, but guessing or relying on an unverified people-search website can make matters worse. The safest approach is to check official court and law-enforcement sources in the places where a case may have started, then speak with a criminal defense attorney before taking action. Warrant records … Read more