In some states, once you complete your punishment from a criminal conviction, you can have the record sealed. Unfortunately, if your state does not allow expungement, your past could significantly hurt your future. Here are some tips for minimizing the impact of your record on your life.
Be Honest
One of the biggest mistakes you could make about your criminal past is to be deceptive about it. Whether you are applying for a job or housing, you need to let the employer or landlord know up front about your criminal past.
If you walk away from a car accident that was caused by someone else, you likely want them to compensate you for your injuries and damage to your car. In some cases, the party responsible (or their insurance agency) takes care of things quickly and without much fuss. However, there are times when they don't want to pay and you have to take them to court. It is important to know that your claim is not a slam dunk to win in most cases.
If you've always been the responsible member of your family, you may be concerned as you watch your sibling or his or her spouse repeatedly request money from your parents with little to no intent to repay these loans. You might be concerned about your parents' ability to provide for their own care in old age, or whether there will be anything left of a family trust or inheritance once your sibling finishes siphoning all the funds he or she can.
When one of your loved ones die and you are left with the task of executing their estate, it can be a whirlwind of emotion and responsibility. You are trying to grieve during this time, but it is important that you take care of business, so that your loved one's wishes are carried out to the fullest and so that the family is taken care of properly. In addition to hiring a probate attorney to help you, there are a few tasks that you need to begin wrapping your head around.
Many people neglect to adequately plan their estates because they have a difficult time facing the reality that life will end some day. While it's understandable to want to avoid this unpleasantness, if you have significant assets or minor children whose welfare needs to be guaranteed, it's vitally important that you shoulder that responsibility and face the challenge head on.
Below, you'll find a guide to some questions you should be sure to ask your attorney during the estate planning process.
