The Business Lounge Podcast

A person who wishes to have his or her assets distributed according to a certain “road map” may execute a will. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/wills-and-deeds-in-iowa A will provides a personal representative of the estate called an executor with instructions of how to distribute property after all claims (debts) against the estate are settled. If someone...

Probate cases are often troubling times for families. Not only is a person going through the loss of a loved one, but the probate process is often confusing and stressful. Sometimes, this process can go on for several years. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/reopen-an-estate-in-iowa O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and India...

With tax season right around the corner, Americans collect their W-2s, 1099s, deductible receipts and start warming up their calculators. It’s estimated that between forty and fifty percent of taxpayers that file electronically complete their taxes on their own with little or no outside help. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/tax-fraud-versus-tax-evasion-ver...

This week on the Business Lounge join us as we welcome Brad Kmetz, C.P.A., President and Owner of Kmetz Financial Group, Inc.. Kmetz Financial Group can help you with a number of your financial planning concerns, including: - Business Startup - Tax Compliance & Government Regulation - Cash Flow Management - Balancing Growth and Quality - Winding Down Kmetz Financial Group is located at 6262 S. Rte...

No one wants to find themself in a lawsuit, but should the situation arise, and the case is in Iowa, there are options that can shorten the duration of the legal proceedings and possibly save those involved some money. Read the full article here: http://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/accelerated-lawsuit-options-in-iowa O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and I...

Going through bankruptcy is stressful enough, but when you think you’re doing something perfectly legal like paying down debt to a family member, the wrong decision can raise red flags and place your bankruptcy discharge in jeopardy. Below are some of the more common mistakes people make before filing for bankruptcy. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/before-...

In this podcast, we discuss buy-sell agreements in Iowa and answer the following questions: -What is a buy-sell agreement? -When is a buy-sell agreement appropriate for a business? -What events does a buy-sell agreement cover? -How does a buy-sell agreement help in the death or disability of a business owner? -Can a buy-sell agreement limit the sale of an owner’s stock? -Can a buy-sell agreement p...

Lower-income individuals, the elderly, and disabled persons may apply for the US government’s housing choice voucher program, commonly referred to as Section 8. Under this program, participants can find their own housing which will be subsidized by the federal government. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/what-is-the-section-8-program O’Flaherty Law now serv...

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated is a serious offense no matter what state you’re in. Iowa law imposes mandatory minimum penalties for OWI convictions which become increasingly harsher the more OWI convictions you have. However, under Iowa law, certain OWI offenders are eligible for the deferred adjudication program. This gives offenders an opportunity to avoid an OWI conviction all together....

In this podcast, we discuss what happens when you are preparing to work with the guardian ad litem in your child custody or divorce case in Illinois. We answer the questions In Illinois What Does the Guardian Ad Litem do in My Custody or Divorce Case? and How Do I Prepare for a Visit With My Guardian Ad Litem? Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/preparing-to-w...

In divorce and custody cases, a party often wants to provide testimony of witnesses. A party may wish to call someone who has witnessed a party’s parenting skills. Perhaps a witness was present during an instance of abuse or neglect. Witness testimony is one of the most common forms of evidence offered in these kinds of cases. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-l...

In this podcast, we discuss the process of modifying parenting agreement or decrees in Illinois by answering the questions "Will Illinois Law Allow Me to Modify My Marital Settlement?", "What Circumstances in Illinois Allow Modification of a Parental Agreement?", "In Illinois What is a Substantial Change of Circumstances?", "When can Child Support be Modified in Illinois?", "At What Point Can Main...

Wage garnishment is the amount that creditors can take from your paychecks for the repayment of debt you owe. In Iowa, state and federal wage garnishment laws will apply to both you and the creditor. Iowa wage garnishment laws are more strict that federal wage garnishment law because they place a cap on the total sum certain creditors may garnish during a single year. Read the full article here: h...

Preexisting retirement accounts are almost always factored into divorce negotiations, especially if one spouse was the family's primary income. But if an ex-spouse receives money from a normally scheduled IRA distribution, is it considered income? What if funds are withdrawn before the IRA matures? If the divorce is finalized and an ex-spouse receives an IRA from an inheritance, can the funds be s...

Many have made New Year resolutions and subsequently failed to keep said resolutions; good-bye dry January, hello damp January. For others, the hope of a better year inspires them to get that divorce finally. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/filing-for-divorce-in-2021 But, as we experienced in 2020, divorce during the age of Covid looks a little different....

An important part of the estate planning process is keeping the will in a safe, accessible location. Unfortunately, there may be instances when the will is lost, unintentionally destroyed, or otherwise not available for the probate process. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/what-happens-if-a-will-is-lost-in-iowa O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties ac...

Dr. Shikha Jain is a board-certified hematology and oncology physician. She is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She is the Director of Communications Strategies in Medicine and the Associate Director of Oncology Communication and Digital Innovation for the University of Illinois Cancer Center. Dr. Jain is the Ch...

If you have a limited liability company (LLC) in Iowa, you will need to draft and file a number of documents with the state to maintain your business. The following article covers some of these major documents that will need to be filed and the timelines for doing so. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/annual-filing-requirements-for-llcs-in-iowa O’Flaherty La...

Before a divorce or child custody proceeding goes to trial in Illinois the parties must each disclose the witnesses they will call to testify on their behalf, and the documents they will use as exhibits. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/calling-witnesses-in-divorce-and-child-custody-cases-in-illinois When disclosing a witness, the Illinois Supreme Court Rul...

If you're a business owner or professional that requires a license, you may be wondering if failing to pay child support can negatively impact your work. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/child-support-affecting-my-llc-license You've probably heard that past-due child support payments can be garnished from an individual's income, but can it extend to an LLC...

In Iowa, every custody case involving parental rights and responsibilities begins with the court deciding who will have legal custody of the children and who will have physical care of them. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/childrens-preferences-in-iowa-custody-proceedings Legal custody means who has the legal rights to make decisions for the child. Childre...

Child abuse law is not something to be taken lightly. In this video, we discuss what is classified as child abuse under Iowa law and how an investigation would occur if there was suspicion that child abuse was occurring. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/child-abuse-in-iowa O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. If yo...

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to a lot of processes, but in Illinois, family mediation during COVID is still available and has been transferred online to allow individuals and families to meet safely without fear of exposure to COVID. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/mediation-during-covid-video-mediation-in-illinois-explained In this video,...

This week on the Business Lounge: join us as we welcome Steve Peterson to our show to give you some insight into the world of business. The Business Lounge is a shared office space, a podcast channel, and a way to enhance your business and expand your network. Stay tuned for weekly episodes! The Business Lounge will be bringing you business advice and conversations from real entrepreneurs on real...

Foreclosure is a little bit like gallbladder surgery: you know it exists, you hope you won't have to go through it one day, but there's no reason for you to learn more about it unless it actually might happen. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/judicial-and-nonjudicial-foreclosures For those that have gone through foreclosure, they would likely take gallbladd...