Las Vegas Nevada Estate Planning Law Blog

What to consider before equally dividing your assets

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

Many estate planners in Las Vegas don’t want too much trouble when they are determining how much their heirs should receive. Some might only have one child and few family members and friends, so it isn’t too difficult to balance what assets they inherit. Others might have multiple kids, grandchildren or stepchildren to complicate their situation.

Your first instinct might be to have your primary inheritors each earn the same amount. Many prefer this option to avoid postmortem controversies. However, choosing this isn’t quite so straightforward and you could risk losing significant assets in the process. You need to think about what options you have before you end up losing most of your property after your death.

Getting through the bars of Las Vegas safely

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and while the many residents of Sin City use several holidays as excuses to go out and get a drink, this one is guaranteed to have more hangovers than others. Las Vegas typically has plenty of drunk pedestrians outside of the holiday weeks as it is. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Nevada has the third highest alcohol consumption rate in the country.

With so many intoxicated people roaming the streets and casinos, it’s important to take several safety precautions if you plan on celebrating St. Paddy’s day this year or just need a trip to the bar in general. Whether it’s in a hotel or outside of the Strip, bars are some of the most common locations for injuries to happen whether it’s from slipping on beer or getting smacked by an intoxicated party goer.

Why February may be a rough month for Nevada couples

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Monday, January 21, 2019.

Nevada isn’t quite the best state for married couples to be together. It often ranks high on many site rankings for the states with the highest divorce rates and even gets the top spot in some of them. Most of it is likely due to the unpredictable and chaotic nature of Las Vegas, where couples can marry and divorce within minutes and have little to no planning involved.

Those who are trying to keep their marriages afloat may find a difficult time in February. It may be the shortest month of the year, but it can feel longer if two spouses come across the month’s following hazards:

A trust is not just one thing, it is a document to fit your needs

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Thursday, December 13, 2018.

You may not be aware of all the benefits and uses of a trust. Like many other people, you may believe that a trust is something only put together by the most wealthy or famous. But a trust can be used for many different things and more importantly, trusts are for everyone, regardless of wealth. A trust can manage a trustor’s assets while they are alive, reduce estate tax liability or it can be a simpler way to bestow an estate to beneficiaries.

Though trusts will all have the same basic structure, there are different types of trusts with each having its own specifics and purposes. Here is a list of different types of trusts that you can review to see which will best fit your estate planning needs.

What Happens When an Insurance Company is Unfair to You?

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.

Insurance is something that is often emphasized as a necessity for any citizen. Investing in different policies such as homeowner’s, health and life insurance is crucial towards protecting yourself in the event of an emergency. However, it is a complicated topic that not many people fully understand. Unfortunately, some insurers take advantage of this by withholding claims or manipulating the insured.

These are known as acts of bad faith insurance. Each state has specific laws on how residents can deal with insurers that act in bad faith to their clients. Most rely on the model Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act (UCSPA), but it is not the same in every state. Nevada residents should be aware of the Silver State’s unique laws towards unfair insurance claim practices before taking their issues to court.

How hotel room negligence can lead to slip-and-fall accidents

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

Las Vegas is home to some of the most iconic hotels in the nation, but it is also home to some of the worst. There are dozens of cheap hotels in the city that people stay in so they can save money for the slots and shows that focus more on simply giving you a room than giving you a good room. Even some of the nicer and more expensive places to stay can falter on room care with how much building maintenance is necessary.

Some of these failures have resulted in guests injuring themselves in their hotel rooms during their stay. Before you head down to play some poker, be sure to keep an eye out for the following room deficiencies so you do not fall down and injure yourself in Sin City.

Popular areas for slip-and-fall accidents in casinos

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Friday, September 14, 2018.

In Las Vegas, casinos are massive in size and scope, offering dazzling gambling experiences for the tourists that come to visit. However, the large interiors and services offered at casinos and their accommodating hotels means that the staff will not keep up with everything. A spilt drink or faulty carpeting could go on for hours before anyone informs them of the hazard.

As difficult as it is to take your eyes off of the luminous wonders of this city, you need to take caution in certain areas to avoid suffering from a serious fall injury.

Important times to update your will

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Monday, August 13, 2018.

Once you’ve taken the important step of drafting a will, the work isn’t completely over. It’s important to consistently update your will in order to keep the documentation relevant throughout the remainder of your life.

When are some of the key times to update a will? What are some elements you’ll need to change or add throughout your lifetime? Some major milestones beget estate plan updates, but minor life changes may also prompt action in regards to your last will and testament. Here are a few milestones to keep in mind.

Should a self-sufficient ex-spouse receive alimony checks?

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Despite cultural changes, alimony still has a strong presence in our society. During the divorce process, your soon-to-be ex-spouse might request financial support. Since you make more money, the court might come to the decision that you’ll be cutting the check.

What happens when your ex-spouse gets a job or makes a livable income though? Do you still have to support them when they become self-sufficient?

3 things to look for in an estate planning attorney

On behalf of Bowen Law Offices on Friday, June 29, 2018.

After years of saving you feel like you are in a good place. Your child is now halfway through high school, and you know it's time to think about planning that next chapter of your family's financial life. You keep hearing you should consider estate planning, which is recommended to anyone who is at least 18 years old, but the process itself can feel overwhelming.

Estate planning is the first time many people have even needed to hire an attorney. How do you find the right one to work with? Here are some helpful tips: