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No one likes to talk about it. It’s a touchy subject, but one day, you’re going to die. You probably know where you want your money and other physical possessions to go, but you have a lot of digital assets to pass on too. You need to plan for the future of those accounts right now. Here’s what we mean by digital life: Financial accounts Photos and videos stored online Digital notebooks Emails Social media accounts Your phone Contact list Think about all of your digital friends, how will your family break the news to them without access to your digital life? We’ve laid out the first two steps you need to take to make your digital life easier to access after your death. Designate trusted contacts Fortunately, some services have built-in features that let you pass data off to surviving members of your family. Identity your trusted loved ones, and these digital services will give them access to your account – but only under specific circumstances. Prepare to share your passwords On the other hand, some companies don’t have features that give you the ability to pass on your data. For these more private companies, your best bet is to speak to an estate attorney about giving authorized access to your next of kin. When building an estate plan, it’s important to hire an attorney to look over the details with you. Hiring an attorney can save a headache and heartbreak of your loved ones after your passing. Contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law to eliminate the stress. For more information about how to prepare for your inevitable death  read the full article by Whitson Gordon at Popular Science.

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For years, January has been unofficially designated as Divorce Month. Although studies have shown most divorces actually happen in August or March, the courts will see a spike in divorce filings right after the new year. Many legal professionals believe this trend boils down to one idea: People don’t want to get divorced during the holidays. Couples headed for divorce, especially with children will hold off on filing during the holidays. Many couples want their family to have one last holiday season together before they split. The holidays are a special time. However, the magic of the season can’t solve every problem. January is a time for making resolutions and planning for the new year which can cause couples to reevaluate their marriage. If you decide that separation is your best option, contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law today. Read the full article by Claire Nowak at Reader’s Digest for more information about why January is the biggest month for divorce.

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No one gets married expecting to get divorced. So when a couple decides the marriage is over, no matter how amicable they are, it’s emotional and stressful. If they are parents, one of the biggest concerns is often “How is this going to affect my child?” Try to remember the ‘7 C’s of Resilience Competence Confidence Connection Character Contribution Coping Control When we encourage these skills in children’s everyday lives, they’ll be able to handle challenging circumstances especially divorce better. Along with the ‘7 C’s’, here are some tips on keeping your kids happy after divorce. Maintain routine and consistency Keeping constant will give kids a greater sense of control and confidence in their ability to handle the monumental changes brought by divorce. Reassure your children it’s not their fault and they are loved Often children will blame themselves for their parents’ break up and wonder if they could have avoided this painful experience if they had somehow been “better.” Be ready to answer tough questions clearly and honestly. The most important thing is to reassure your children they will remain safe and loved. Create shared experiences, even when you’re separated by divorce Going out of your way to maintain a close relationship sends a very strong message to kids that they are your highest priority, which can increase their own confidence in their ability to adjust to the “new normal.” What if your ex is an absent parent? While it may be tempting to express displeasure with your ex around your children, this puts your child in the uncomfortable position of feeling like they need to defend the other parent. Unfortunately, this means they do not feel free to express their own hurt and anger. Although it may be difficult, try to remain neutral. Remaining neutral allows them to express themselves honestly and gives you more opportunities to teach them skills for coping with their own emotions. For more information about how to keep your kids happy after divorce  read the full article. If you’re facing divorce, contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law today.

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Going to court to fight for child custody is an emotional time. And many single parents make mistakes simply because they’re uncertain about what to do, and they’re easily swayed by friends and family members who mean well, but who have little or no experience with the courts. Here are the five child custody mistakes single parents make: Showing Your Hand Making Your Child Custody Case About How Your Ex Failed You Letting Your Emotions Drive Your Decisions Attempting to Speak for Your Children Taking a Passive Approach to the Entire Experience Read the full article for  five of the most common child custody mistakes parents make , along with tips on how to avoid them. To learn more about how to avoid a child custody battle contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law today.

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Being wealthy is not a requirement for creating an estate plan. Neither is being old, retired, having a family or owning a lot of assets. If you are a Millennial, and you haven’t started estate planning, here’s how and why you need to get started. Why Millenials Should Begin Estate Planning Now If you don’t have an estate plan you’re putting yourself at risk. Let’s say the worst happens, you become ill and die at a young age. Who would you want to make decisions on your behalf? Does that person legally have the right to make those decisions? Depending on your state’s laws, the person you appoint may not be able to without the right documentation. Working with an attorney Alright, you’ve made the leap and you’re ready to start planning. Contact an estate attorney who knows the federal and state laws that apply to your situation. They’re the experts, don’t try to create the documents you think you need by yourself. Basic estate planning documents Married or single, young or old, parents of two kids or dog parents, not having estate planning documents is a mistake. These are the most basic estate planning documents for you to get started: Last will and testament A living will communicates what type of medical care, life-sustaining or resuscitation efforts, and pain medications you wish to receive Power of attorney Health care proxy Life insurance and updated beneficiaries are important Life insurance should be part of your financial plan. It can be an easy way to ensure your family can continue to live the life you intended for them in case the worst happens at an untimely age. Updated beneficiaries are also extremely important. If you don’t update the beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, all the work you did with the estate attorney is useless. Prior and current 401(k) accounts Other retirement accounts These beneficiaries take precedence over what is in your will. It’s never too early for estate planning As a Millennial, you probably feel like your life is just starting and your ending is too far off to even consider. However, we never really know when our time is up, so having an estate plan in place will allow you to enjoy your life without any lingering complications. This way your family and your assets will be taken care of. Read the full article about  Beginner Estate Planning for Millennials  to broaden your understanding. For more information about estate planning contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law to ensure you have a safe and updated plan.

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A divorce is likely when one or both partners in a marriage feels hopeless. That’s according to both couples therapists and scientific research. People who feel hopeless about their relationship have come to terms with the fact that nothing can be done to save it. According to the experts, the couples interviewed with significant signs of disappointment and disillusionment had unrealistic expectations about what marriage would be like. To learn more about the couples therapists and research to detect the  biggest sign your marriage won’t last, read the full article now. If you’re facing a divorce, don’t go through it alone contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law.

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You divorced several years ago and agreed to monthly child support payments. But now you’re remarrying, and things have changed. Not only do you now need to support your new spouse’s kids, you may even be considering adoption. Or, you may simply want to start a new family and need a better sense of financial rights and responsibilities. Whatever the circumstance, it is important to understand your legal obligations and what options may or may not be available to you. While child support laws can vary by state, the underlying legal principles remain more-or-less similar irrespective of where you live. Depending on your situation, it’s always important to seek legal advice before you make any rash decisions. Read the full article by  verywell family  to learn more about your situation. For legal advice on the impacts that remarriage have on child support contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law.

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Estate planning is the process of designating who will receive your assets and handle your responsibilities after your death or incapacitation. The goal is to make sure your beneficiaries receive these things in the most cost-effective way possible. Follow the 7-step checklist to make sure your estate planning is the most effective. Take Inventory Account for your family Establish your directives Review your beneficiaries Note your state’s laws Weigh the value of professional help Plan to reassess Read the full  article  by Kay Bell at nerdwallet to make sure your estate plans are on track. It’s difficult going through the estate planning process alone. Contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law, we’re here for you so you don’t have to go through it alone.

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Communicating with an ex is difficult, especially when kids are involved. In order to be a responsible parent you have to find ways to co-parent effectively, peacefully, and to the best of your ability. Luckily, we’re in the 21st century and technology has made it easier for separated co-parents to share parenting responsibilities and communicate effectively. Of course, co-parenting is easier said then done (married or not) which is why it’s worth looking at ways technology can help parents out. Here are the top apps that can aid separated parents in being their best selves for their children: Our Family Wizard ($99) 2 Houses ($10) Coparently ($10) Cozi (FREE) Custody Exchange (FREE with upgrade options) Talking Parents (FREE + downloaded fees) These apps can reduce the hardships of coparenting and communication. If you’re looking for legal advice regarding co parenting and dealing with communication contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law. Read the full article  here  to learn more about these awesome apps.

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Make sure your loved ones get everything they’re entitled to if you pass away. It’s difficult to actually put time aside to figure out a plan about your retirement assets when you die. However, it’s better to plan ahead, not just for you, but your loved ones as well. Especially, for accounts that aren’t transferred by will or trust. The first step: Make sure there are designated beneficiaries for any retirement savings plans and pensions you own or may be entitled to. If you’ve already taken care of some of these concerns, great, you’re a step ahead. You may have chosen to handle these concerns with a will or by setting up power of attorney. But, not so fast. There’s something else you should do: make sure you have named beneficiaries for any retirement savings plans, pensions, and insurance products you may own or be entitled to. Contrary to your personal and real property, or taxable investment accounts, these assets aren’t transferred by will or trust when you die. Instead, they are transferred to your beneficiaries, which can be an individual or an institution. Learn more about planning ahead, choosing your beneficiaries, and ensuring your assets are properly distributed when you pass by reading the full article at  The Motley Fool. Get on the right track and plan ahead with David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law.