Extending Your Student Visa

A student visa that lets you study at the university of your choice is a terrific thing for you. But what happens if your studies take longer than you planned? On top of exams and term papers, you may have to worry about your student visa expiring. That’s where an immigration lawyer can be your best friend. Understanding how immigration laws work can be the first step to making sure that you keep your student visa in good standing. My blog is all about immigration issues, especially those faced by foreign students. Check out the articles for more information that you can use to complete your studies in the country you chose to study in.

3 Estate Planning Mistakes

Law Blog

After working through your adult life to build some equity for yourself and a family, you might not yet be willing to begin any estate planning. Even once you're talked into it, your reluctance may cause specific mistakes that won't serve your loved ones well after your death. Some mistakes--like the ones described below--are avoided easily with some attention and forewarning.

Waiting to Begin

If you put it off as long as you financially could, waiting to set all these balls in motion can mean that you don't have as long to reach your intended goals. Your investments don't draw in as high of an income as you would have liked, for instance. Luckily, a financial planner can inform you of actions which could still provide your loved ones with adequate financial support later. For example, they may suggest investing in more aggressive stocks or mutual funds.

Not Making Beneficiary Decisions

If you've had multiple children or want to share your assets with many people, you might not worry about naming particular beneficiaries. Your faith in them might be unshakeable and you might have full confidence that everyone will share and divide bank accounts, pensions and other assets equally. This could be a major judgment error on your part. Probate courts are populated with many fighting family members who can't deal with things on their own.

That's why you're going to have to think and seriously name one or a few beneficiaries for each asset you've got. That  erases confusion. If a family company is one of your assets, you may ask an eventual beneficiary to take on co-ownership now so that there are no snags when you pass away. Ensure that each insurance policy contains the name of each and every person that you hope receives a benefit from it.

Not Having Talks

You might just not be up to explaining and arguing about estate planning decisions. You may have some idea about which of your decisions will be controversial among family members and just want to keep the peace. However, realize that many people will be affected by your choices; getting everything out now could help. Arguments may happen, but being able to address you to your face could go a long way toward resolving any outstanding issues.

Errors like this, with a financial planner's help, can be avoided. Work with professionals to both protect your family and to calm your own mind about what lies forward

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8 October 2017