Business

Jayhawk Advisors Shares 5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know a Finance Planner Can Do For Your Business

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2020

With the proliferation of financial-blogs, investment Apps and Robo-advisors, many are wondering whether it is worth hiring a financial advisor. Financial advisors specialize in providing money management solutions in a wide variety of places, i.e. independent consultancies and insurance and financial companies such as banks and investment firms. According to a report published by CNBC, the main reasons for seeing a financial advisor are as follows:

When personal changes arise – changes or milestones in personal life, such as marriage and having a baby must be managed well to ensure a sound financial future. This is important because financial disagreements in marriage can easily cause financial strain and damage a relationship.
When you experience wealth changes – if your financial fortunes have risen as a result of a pay rise, new job offering or inheritance, you may need a financial advisor to help you make the most out of the windfall. The advice can cover everything from savings to investment strategies.
When you need emotional support – catastrophic financial events such as the 2008 Financial Crisis and the Dot.com Bubble often cause jitters among investors and the general populace. A financial advisor can be called in during a crisis to provide objective advice. For clients with facing financial disclosure challenges, the advice can help instill honesty in financial reporting.

The things a financial advisor does that you probably did not know?

Financial planning can be hectic if things don’t fall as planned. Besides providing crucial advice on investment matters, money management, and retirement planning, financial advisors can do much more. According to Business Insider, here are 4 things you probably didn’t know the experts:

Tax planning

Any money that can be saved through tax planning can go a long way to boost your financial health for years to come. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) will carefully study your tax returns to help you find ways to manage and maximize your finances and taxes. For real estate investors, investment advice can help stem future losses and consolidate gains.

Loan negotiation

Using their knowledge in finance and investment, financial advisors and planners can help clients find the best interest rates when applying for loans and mortgages. In the case of the later, the financial expert can negotiate loan rates and close real estate sales on your behalf.

Financial therapy

Although financial advisors and planners are not licensed counselors, they are well-informed about the psychology of money and how it affects the human mindset. Subconscious beliefs about money have been shown to affect how people earn, spend and save money. During the therapy sessions, the advisor will come up with a sound financial plan to help clients prosper.

Exploit the loopholes in insurance coverage

A CFP trained financial advisor can audit all the insurance policies held by individuals and businesses, i.e. life, property and liability insurance coverage. The insights obtained from the audit can be used to help clients find insurance loopholes and reduce the due amounts. One of the best advice is obtaining a cost-saving, umbrella coverage for home, vehicle, and other liabilities.

Work with your employer

The advisors are also well-placed to work with employers to optimize various worker benefits. For instance, an advisor can work with your employer’s HR manager and 401(k) providers to discuss best plans to implement and cost savings options. The support can also cover incomes from investment, annuities, IRA accounts and other less known retirement and investment accounts.

The Debt Advice You Can Trust!

People who need advice on issues like tax planning, investment planning, and debt management can seek valuable support from financial advisors. Consumers with high-interest loans are constantly bombarded with unending monthly payments that come with far-reaching implications on one’s credit standing and peace of mind. The Illinois based Jayhawk Advisors is a financial advisor in the business of making a difference. The company is focused on promoting the client’s financial well-being since it understands the importance of achieving financial goals.

The Jayhawk online debt estimating calculator is easy to use. All you need to do is enter your particulars, including name, address, estimated household income, monthly credit card payments and estimated credit card debt to know how much you can save. The other popular tool from Jayhawks is the debt management solution, which prioritizes what a client needs by offering low interest, single monthly payment plan. To get in touch with Jayhawk Advisors, visit the company website or call 1-800-781-7547 to speak to a friendly representative.

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.