Business

As Technology Changes, Ricky Cucalon Stays Ahead Of The Curve

Published

4 years ago

May 7, 2020

Twenty years ago working remotely was incredibly rare. Most businesses were run out of offices and working from home was reserved for special cases. Nowadays, however, recent advancements in technology have increased the amount of people working from home up to 5.2% in the United States. This is almost double the amount of people working from home in the year 2000. Thanks to improvements in communication technology such as texting, conference calling, and video chatting, many people can make money from anywhere in the world.

What does this mean for business? First and foremost, it shows that businesses are moving increasingly online. With the use of a smartphone, you can access anything from car rentals to grocery deliveries. Almost every business now has an online presence as people increasingly live their lives online. If you’re not online, you might as well not exist at all. When it comes to making money, it’s clear that the new frontier is digital.

Making money with technology is second nature to Ricky Cucalon. A 2016 graduate in civil engineering from San Francisco State, Ricky made his fortune investing in Bitcoin. His success in cryptocurrency has led him to create a revolutionary initiative called the ATM Movement, which seeks to help other people harness technology to make money.

“I created the “ATM Movement” with the intention to help people start making a livelihood putting their smartphones to work,” says Ricky. “We live in a time where we can not only use these devices to share photos with friends, but also to generate an income with a device we walk around with in our pocket.”

By 2040, it’s estimated that 95% of all purchases will be through ecommerce. While most people are used to buying things online, many have yet to see how they can make money online as well. But the truth is that this trend towards the digital encompasses both sides of business. Businesses such as ATM Movement are leading the charge towards making money online through cryptocurrency, stock, and forex markets. As technology continues to advance, pretty soon the majority of companies will have joined ATM Movement and moved to the digital arena.

But cryptocurrency isn’t the only way that Ricky’s been able to make money online. As a successful social media influencer with over 48k Instagram followers, Ricky has been able to leverage the technology of social media as well. “Social media is everything when it comes to marketing,” says Ricky. “Our generation would rather buy from Instagram than any other type of advertisement.”

It’s clear that his mastery of the technology has played a large part in Ricky Cucalon’s many business successes. And he shows no signs of slowing down, as his plans for ATM Movement’s future include spreading to cities worldwide. With a business that teaches people how to use the technology available at their fingertips to make money, Ricky’s plans don’t seem that far off.

Business

From Contracts to Counsel: Your Essential Guide to Hiring a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Published

2 weeks ago

March 31, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Like many people, you’ll come across the term probate after a loved one, such as a parent or spouse, passes away. So, what is probate, and why do you need an attorney for it? As defined in Forbes, probate is a legal process that occurs after death. It entails transferring the assets of the decedent (the person who passed) to beneficiaries named in their last will.

With that in mind, having a probate lawyer by your side is essential. The last thing you want to do is deal with the legal complexities of settling a loved one’s estate while grieving. A probate lawyer oversees the validation of the deceased’s will and the fair distribution of assets among family members. One challenge lies in finding a top-quality probate lawyer.

In this guide to hiring a probate attorney in Chicago, we’ll discuss the tips to identify the right legal professional for probate proceedings.

Understand the Responsibilities of a Probate Lawyer

It’s difficult to hire a talented probate lawyer when you don’t know what they do: Start by understanding the roles they play.

When you work with a Chicago probate lawyer, some tasks they might do include:

Act as an estate executor or administrator
Collect proceeds from the life insurance policies of the deceased
Identify and secure the decedent’s assets
Get an appraisal for the deceased’s estate
Pay debts and resolve estate tax issues
Prepare and file documents required in probate court
Transfer assets to rightful heirs
Represent you in litigation proceedings if someone challenges or contests the will

A probate lawyer could also help you and your family navigate state inheritance laws if a loved one dies without a valid will. That way, you can avoid unnecessary taxes or other ramifications of not creating a will, such as losing ownership rights of the deceased’s business or financial support.

Search for Lawyers Online and Offline

You’re probably thinking, where do I find the best lawyer to hire? You could seek referrals from friends or colleagues. Friends who worked with probate attorneys before might provide important details, such as how the lawyers communicate and handle the probate process.

Alternatively, do a simple online search using the terms “probate lawyer near me” or “probate attorney in Chicago.” Go through various websites or online directories and write names of lawyers with positive ratings and customer testimonials. Then, contact the potential lawyers to set up free consultations. Note that not all legal professionals offer free consultations, so make sure to ask before setting a time in your calendar.

Ask the Right Questions

A free consultation provides opportunities to ask questions to better understand if the lawyers in question have the qualifications to handle your probate case.

Four questions you might ask attorneys during the initial meeting may include:

Do You Have Experience in Probate Law?

When evaluating lawyers, prioritize experience. An experienced probate lawyer is aware of common pitfalls that can result in the probate petition being postponed or dropped by a judge. To feel more comfortable about an attorney’s expertise, ask them if they’ve handled probate cases similar to yours before.

For example, let’s say the deceased owned a substantial estate or had complicated assets like royalties and mineral stocks. Working with an attorney with a track record of successfully handling cases like that could save you time and money in the long run.

What Do Other Clients Say About You?

Experience alone doesn’t make a probate lawyer perfect for your case. Look for someone with an outstanding reputation. These reviews likely live on Google next to their business profile or are featured on their website. If you can’t find any endorsements, ask for testimonials written by past clients.

One point to focus on is what reviewers say about the lawyer’s efficiency and speed. Beyond that, does the lawyer offer expert guidance, conflict mitigation, and proper asset management during probate?

A probate attorney in Chicago, IL, should be an efficient expert in asset preservation. This can be crucial to helping avoid hefty taxes and excessive debt claims. Additionally, if the lawyer receives positive feedback on conflict mitigation, it suggests they have experience in resolving or mitigating family conflicts that tend to stall the probate process.

How Long Does Probate Last?

One way to test a probate lawyer’s knowledge is by asking them, “How long does probate last?” While the numbers vary, probate can last for a few months to over a year in many states, including Chicago. When highlighting factors that affect the duration of probate, your counsel might mention things like estate size, family disputes, debt and taxes, absence of a will, and state laws.

A knowledgeable lawyer can explain clearly why your probate case could last a few months or even years. A lawyer that makes too brazen or hard-set of promises might not be the most honest.

How Do You Want Us To Communicate?

There’s no hard rule on how you and your probate attorney communicate. You can talk via text messages, email, video calls, or phone calls. More importantly, check that the attorney communicates in simple language to help you understand your case.

In fact, one essential of a lawyer’s dos and don’ts to gaining clients’ trust is to avoid making clients feel clueless. If a potential lawyer uses complex legal terms or avoids communicating directly, search for probate services elsewhere.

Conclusion: Finding a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Reviewing the will of a loved one after their death and ensuring fair distribution of their assets often involves complex legal issues. For this reason, consider hiring an attorney who specializes in probate law.

To maximize your chances of finding the right probate lawyer, familiarize yourself with their responsibilities. Next, search online for lawyers within your state or ask for recommendations from people you trust. Then, interview prospects to help ensure they possess experience, a remarkable reputation, communication skills, and knowledge of probate law.

Settling the affairs of a loved one who has passed on can be an overwhelming time. A probate attorney can help lift some of the pressure off your shoulders as you focus on grieving and healing.