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Straight Talk About the Law
Actionable legal tips, real-world examples, and strategic advice—written for people, not just lawyers.
Legal Insights & Updates
July 9, 2025
Who’s in Charge? Power of Attorney vs. Executor of an Estate
When someone gets sick, grows old, or passes away, figuring out who handles their affairs can get tricky. Two big roles come up a lot:...
July 2, 2025
Why Everyone Needs a Simple Estate Plan
Death isn’t fun to think about, but it happens to all of us. If you don’t plan ahead, your stuff—like your money, house, or even your...
June 25, 2025
Understanding Succession Planning vs. Estate Planning
Have you ever wondered what happens to your stuff or your business when you’re not around anymore? That’s where succession planning and...
June 18, 2025
Understanding Probate vs. Estate Planning: What's the Difference?
When someone passes away, their belongings—like their house, car, or money—need to be handled somehow. Two terms you might hear are...
June 3, 2025
What Is the Most Important Decision in Estate Planning?
Estate planning is about deciding what happens to your stuff after you’re gone. Stuff like your money, house, or favorite things. In...
June 3, 2025
How to Find the Right Estate Planning Attorney
Estate planning is a critical step in securing your legacy and ensuring your wishes are honored. Whether you’re drafting a will, setting...
June 3, 2025
Steps for Creating Your Estate Plan
Estate planning might sound like something reserved for the ultra-wealthy or the twilight years of life, but the truth is, it’s a smart...
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A Simple Guide to Securities Laws for Albuquerque Entrepreneurs
As an entrepreneur in Albuquerque, you’re full of big ideas and ready to grow your business. But when it’s time to raise money by selling stock or other investments, you’ll run into something called securities laws. These rules can feel like a puzzle, with pieces at both the federal (U.S.) and state (New Mexico) level. Don’t worry—this guide will explain the basics in a way that’s easy to understand, while still giving you helpful information about raising capital the right w
lawyer236
2 days ago5 min read
How to Create a Basic Estate Plan in 20 Minutes (Without a Lawyer)
An estate plan is a way to help make sure your wishes are followed related to what happens to your property, money, or even minor children when you’re not around. Normally, you’d want to hire a lawyer to help with this because it can get complicated. But if you’re in a hurry and need something basic right now, here’s how you can put together a bare-bones estate plan in about 20 minutes. Just remember, this is not the best way, and you should really get a lawyer to do it prope
lawyer236
May 273 min read
What to Think About When Setting Up a Power of Attorney
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal paper that lets someone you trust make decisions for you, particularly if you can’t. It’s like picking a backup person to step in when you need help. Setting one up is a big deal, so here are some simple things to consider to make sure it works the way you want. 1. Who Should You Pick? The person you choose—called your “agent”—needs to be someone you trust without reservation. This could be a family member or a close friend. They’ll hand
lawyer236
May 142 min read
S Corp vs. C Corp: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters in Albuquerque
If you’re starting a business in Albuquerque, one big decision is choosing how to set up your company. Two popular options are an S Corporation (S Corp) and a C Corporation (C Corp). They’re both corporations, but they work differently—especially when it comes to taxes, ownership, and growth. Here’s a breakdown of the differences and why you might pick one over the other. What’s a C Corp? A C Corp is the “classic” corporation. It’s a separate legal entity from its owners, m
lawyer236
May 62 min read
What Is a Transfer on Death Deed in New Mexico?
A transfer on death deed is a simple tool you can use in New Mexico to pass your house or land to someone after you’re gone. Let’s break it down so it’s easy to understand. A Transfer on Death Deed (or TOD Deed for short) is a legally recorded deed that says who gets your real property—like your home—when you pass away. You write it up while you’re still alive, and it only takes effect after you’re not here anymore. Until then, you’re still in control of your property. You ca
lawyer236
Apr 292 min read
How Small Business Owners in Albuquerque Can Avoid Self-Employment Tax
Running a small business in Albuquerque is exciting, but taxes can feel like a heavy burden. One tax that hits many business owners hard is the self-employment tax. This tax covers Social Security and Medicare, and it’s something you pay when you work for yourself instead of a company. In 2025, the rate is 15.3% (of 92.35%) of your net earnings—12.4% for Social Security (up to an income limit of $184,500) and 2.9% for Medicare (no limit). That can add up fast! The good news?
lawyer236
Apr 223 min read
Why You Might Set Up a Special Needs Trust for a Disabled Child
If you have a child with a disability, you probably worry about their future. How will they be taken care of when you’re not around? One smart way to plan for this is by setting up a special needs trust . It’s like a safety net that holds money or property for your child, making sure they’re supported without disrupting other help they might get. Let’s break it down. A special needs trust is a legal tool that lets you put money aside for your child. Someone you trust, calle
lawyer236
Apr 152 min read
Choosing the Right Business Structure for Your Small Business in Albuquerque
If you’re starting a small business in Albuquerque, one of the first big decisions you’ll need to make is choosing a business structure. This is like choosing the foundation for your house—it affects how you pay taxes, handle paperwork, and protect your personal assets if something goes wrong. Don’t worry if it sounds complicated; we’ll break it down into simple steps so you can figure out what works best for you. What’s a Business Structure Anyway? A business structure is
lawyer236
Apr 14 min read
Why and How to Use Limited Liability Companies in Your Estate Plan
If you live in Teton County, Wyoming, and are thinking about your estate plan, you might want to consider using a Limited Liability Company (LLC). An LLC is a business structure that can protect your personal assets and help you pass wealth to your family in a smart way. Here’s why and how it could work for you. Why Use an LLC in Your Estate Plan? Protect Your Assets An LLC keeps your personal money and property separate from your business or investment risks. For example, if
lawyer236
Mar 253 min read
Why Everyone Should Have a Power of Attorney
Have you ever thought about what would happen if you couldn’t make decisions for yourself? Maybe you’re healthy now, but life can throw curveballs. That’s where a power of attorney comes in. It’s like a backup plan that lets someone you trust step in to help you if you’re unable to handle things. It’s not just for old people—it’s for everyone! Let me explain why it’s so important and share some real-life “what if” stories to show how it can save the day. What’s a Power of
lawyer236
Mar 193 min read
What’s the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?
When it comes to planning for the future, two words often come up: will and trust . They both help you decide what happens to your assets—like your house, money, or even your favorite painting—after you’re gone. But they work in different ways. Let’s break it down so it’s easy to understand! What’s a Will? A will is like a letter you write to tell people what you want to happen with your things after you pass away. It’s a simple document where you say, “I want my wife to g
lawyer236
Mar 113 min read
Life Events That Mean It’s Time to Update Your Estate Plan
An estate plan is like a roadmap for what happens to your money, house, and other assets after you’re gone. It’s a smart thing to have, but it’s not something you set up once and forget about. Life will often change, and your estate plan will need to change as well. Here are the most common life events that mean it’s time to take a fresh look at your plan. Getting Married or Divorced When you get married, you probably want your spouse to inherit some or all of your things.
lawyer236
Mar 42 min read
Do All Wills Have to Go Through Probate in Wyoming?
When someone passes away, their belongings—like money, a house, or a car—need to be passed on to the people they wanted to have them. This process often involves something called “probate.” But do all wills in Wyoming have to go through probate? Let’s break it down in a simple way so you can understand how it works. What Is Probate Anyway? Probate is like a legal checkpoint. It’s when a court makes sure a person’s will is real and follows the rules. The court also checks th
lawyer236
Feb 263 min read
Why Make a Trust Irrevocable? The Reasons and Risks Explained
A trust is like a special box where you can put your money or property to keep it safe for someone else, like your kids or family, to use later. You pick someone called a trustee to manage it. Normally, you can change a trust whenever you want—that’s called a revocable trust. But sometimes, people choose to make a trust irrevocable , meaning once it’s set, you can’t change your mind. Why would someone do that? Let’s break it down in simple terms, along with some risks to wat
lawyer236
Feb 182 min read
How to Handle Shareholder Conflicts in Your Albuquerque Small Business
Running a small business in Albuquerque can be rewarding, but disagreements between shareholders (or members or partners) can cause headaches. These conflicts might pop up over money, business decisions, or who’s in charge. Luckily, there are ways to solve these problems and even prevent them by setting up smart rules in your founding documents. Here’s what you need to know. Common Ways to Resolve Shareholder Conflicts Talk It Out (Negotiation) The simplest way to fix a disag
lawyer236
Feb 113 min read
Navigating Securities Laws for Your Albuquerque Intrastate Offering
As an entrepreneur in Albuquerque, you might be thinking about raising money to grow your business. One option is an intrastate offering —selling shares or investments only to people in New Mexico. This can be a smart way to keep things local, but it comes with rules from both the state and the federal government. What’s an Intrastate Offering? An intrastate offering means you’re only asking New Mexico residents to invest in your company. The idea is simple: keep it in-state,
lawyer236
Feb 43 min read
How Small Business Owners in Albuquerque Can Avoid Self-Employment Tax
Running a small business in Albuquerque is exciting, but taxes can feel like a heavy burden. One tax that hits many business owners hard is the self-employment tax. This tax covers Social Security and Medicare, and it’s something you pay when you work for yourself instead of a company. In 2025, the rate is 15.3% of your net earnings—12.4% for Social Security (up to an income limit of $168,600) and 2.9% for Medicare (no limit). That can add up fast! The good news? There are le
lawyer236
Jan 283 min read
When Should Your Albuquerque Small Business Get an Employee Handbook? Plus Best Practices to Make It Work
Running a small business in Albuquerque means wearing a lot of hats. You’re managing customers, keeping the books, and maybe even sweeping the floors. But as your team grows, there’s one tool you might not have thought about yet: an employee handbook. So, when should you get one, and how do you make it useful? Let’s break it down. When Is the Right Time for an Employee Handbook? You don’t need a handbook the day you hire your first employee. If it’s just you and one other per
lawyer236
Jan 144 min read
What’s a Personal Property Memorandum and How Does It Work in Wyoming?
Have you ever thought about who should get your favorite necklace, that old family rocking chair, or maybe a special painting after you’re gone? In Wyoming, there’s a simple way to make sure your personal stuff goes to the right people without a lot of fuss. It’s called a personal property memorandum , and it’s like a wish list you can add to your will. Let’s break it down in an easy way! What Is It? A personal property memorandum is a piece of paper where you list out spec
lawyer236
Dec 17, 20253 min read
Is a Handwritten Will Enforceable in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, a handwritten will is sometimes called a “holographic will.” It’s legal, but there are some rules it has to follow. First, the whole thing must be written in the person’s own handwriting—no typing allowed. Second, they have to sign it themselves. That’s it! Wyoming doesn’t even require witnesses to watch the signing, which makes it different from some other places where witnesses are a must. This rule comes straight from Wyoming statute, which says a holographic w
lawyer236
Dec 10, 20252 min read
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