Disputes with Financial Advisors and Companies.

When you have worked hard for your money, it makes sense to put that money to work for you. Investing is a great way to grow your assets over time for retirement, college savings, home purchases, or other large financial goals. But when something goes wrong, where can you turn? Risk is inherent in investing. Yet not all levels of risk are appropriate for everyone, and investment strategies are complicated and often confusing. If you are like many investors, you likely employ a financial professional to give you advice. The vast majority of these professionals are competent and ethical. Sometimes though, they are not. Furthermore, even an investment expert can make mistakes and recommend an inappropriate investment or strategy. You rely on your advisor. You should not bear the financial burden of your financial professional’s bad advice.

Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, and Probate.

Perhaps you are just starting out on on your own and have questions? What is a Will? How does life insurance work? The bank wants to know who my Beneficiaries are. What is a TOD, or POD? What is a POA? These questions can be confusing and overwhelming, but they do not have to be. A little knowledge and advice can go a long way!

Perhaps you have recently had a significant life change. Marriage, the birth of a child, divorce: all can have significant affects on your situation in surprising ways. You do not have to figure it out alone.

Perhaps you have worked hard your entire life for your family and have significant assets. You want to preserve those assets for your family and make sure they are protected in your later years, and after your death. The death of a family member is always difficult for those left behind, and a complicated estate can make the loss even more difficult. A well organized estate plan can relieve this additional burden and grant you and your family peace of mind. Advise from a professional can make the planning process much less stressful.

General and Divorce Mediation Services.

While it would be nice if everyone could get along, sometimes your best interests do not align with someone else. When conflicts arise, it can be difficult to take a step back and negotiate a solution you can both life with. The higher the stakes, or more emotion involved, the harder it becomes. Feuding neighbors, business disputes, or consumer complaints are all areas where an impartial third party can help level the playing field, and move towards a settlement all parties can live with.

Divorce or dissolution can be particularly difficult for parties to negotiate. Both sides feel entitled to the fruits of the marriage. It is difficult to let go. When children are involved, the situation can become even more difficult. Hashing out all the differences between the parties in court becomes very expensive in legal fees and court costs. It also prolongs the entire process, making for a significantly difficult ordeal for the parties, and for any children involved. Mediation can hash out these differences in an informal setting, with a mediator facilitating the discussion and keeping the focus on reaching an agreement. Courts recognize that an agreement the parties make themselves are often in the best interest of everyone involved, and are likely to approve the agreement without extensive and costly litigation.