Preparing a will is a very personal and often emotional time. It is important that your lawyer understands your needs. At Brutto Law, we are here to listen and we have the patience and the desire to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of exactly as you wish.
Whether you have just purchased your first home, had your first child, or are in your retirement, preparing a will is very important. They can be used effectively to name a guardian for your children in the event of your unplanned passing or to ensure that your assets are distributed as you intend.
It is important that you review your will on an ongoing basis as major life changes can create the need for revision. For example, a death in the family, the purchase of a home, a divorce/marriage, or the birth of a child would often call for an update to your will. At Brutto Law, we are here to ensure that this process is handled with care and understanding.
A Power of Attorney allows you to appoint a trusted family member or friend to make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated and unable to make these decisions. It is always recommended that a Power of Attorney is prepared to ensure that your affairs are handled according to your wishes.
Today it is commonplace for unmarried couples to cohabitate. Whether we have just assisted you and your partner in the purchase of a new home or you are renting together, it is an excellent decision that you consider a cohabitation agreement. It can be beneficial not only in solidifying the financial responsibility of each partner in the relationship but also in confirming in writing the respective financial contribution of each partner on the purchase of a home.
In the unfortunate event that you and your partner separate, this can be a difficult time. Under those circumstances, you do not want to be guessing on the distribution of assets, risking an unnecessary dispute. A cohabitation agreement will ensure that your assets are distributed according to your pre-determined plan, allowing you to move on with your life as peacefully as possible.
It is not uncommon for there to be a significant disparity in the net worth of each partner in a relationship, such as when the family home is to be contributed to the marriage entirely by one partner. This is especially true when one partner has been building a career and earning an income for much longer, as can be the case when there is a significant age difference.
In addition to dealing with financial responsibilities, asset distribution, and many of the same items discussed in a cohabitation agreement, a marriage contract can be beneficial in dealing with issues such as the distribution of the family home in the event of divorce. This becomes important when one partner contributes the entire home (or has paid for most of the home) at the onset of a marriage and a divorce occurs shortly thereafter. Many clients choose to be extra careful in protecting the largest asset that they worked so hard in attaining.
Separation Agreements are often a quicker and much less stressful method of parting ways than going to court during a failing marriage or common-law relationship. Although at Brutto Law we do not get involved in going to court, we are here to help during an amicable separation.
A separation agreement will deal with issues such as custody and access to children, financial support, and the division of assets. We are here to amicably facilitate the negotiation of these issues, and to ensure that your prerogatives during this difficult time are supported and properly prepared in writing.
