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Issue: #8-2

Summer 2008

Dear Subscriber,

Here is Issue #2 of BPBS eNews! We intend eNews to give information that will be useful to you, your colleagues, family, and friends.

There was good response to our first issue listing basic documents that form the core of your estate planning, but most people find it hard to get started. If you missed it, you can find it in our web site's eNews Archive using the Quick Link at the right.

A recent USA Today poll of family-business owners found that 17% thought they had no need for an estate plan, 24% had no time to think about it, and 55% said estate planning was just too difficult to deal with.

No need. No time. Too difficult. Sound familiar? Most people share these attitudes and neglect planning. But if you fail to plan, then you leave your decisions to strangers at the probate court and the politicians who wrote the probate laws.

Basic estate planning is not difficult or expensive unless you have a complex situation. Even a basic will, living will, and power of attorney might easily avoid a number of potential problems for your family.

Let us help you get started. A power of attorney is a good place to begin. Read more below.

A Power of Attorney Acts When You Can't

Anyone can become incapacitated unexpectedly. Who would access your checking account to pay your bills, endorse checks for deposit, renew your license plates, access a safe deposit box, or even make health care decisions for you? Your spouse, parent, or adult children may not be able to do any of those things.

A basic tool that most everyone needs is a Power of Attorney. It isn't just for estate planning, it's a part of responsible life planning. With a Power of Attorney, you can appoint any person to act on your behalf for almost any purpose. But you must do it before the need arises. It's a simple process. Take the first step.

Click here to read more about this important planning tool or call your BPBS attorney.

Can Consumers Stiff a Business - Legally?

A little-known Ohio law may actually allow consumers to obtain products and services and not pay for them, which could cripple a small business that isn't careful.

Using this law, a consumer may be able to keep all the work, products, and services furnished, and not pay for them, or force a contractor to refund payment after the job is done. In an extreme case, this law could permit a consumer to get an entire house built at no cost. Imagine that! Great for consumers. Bad for a small business.

Click here to find out from Steve Davis who qualifies and what businesses are at risk.

The articles in eNews are intended only as general information, so if you have questions about any of the topics, or another legal issue to discuss, please call your BPBS attorney at 513-721-1350, or send us a reply email.

As always, we'll welcome your feedback. If you have suggestions for future eNews topics, or have a problem viewing eNews or using our web site, let us know!

Sincerely,

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