leg·a·cy | (ˈle-gə-sē)
n. something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past
— Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Estate Planning
Estate planning is not just for wealthy families or elderly individuals. When we pass away from this life and into the next, our loved ones who are left behind will grieve our loss. Some of these same loved ones will also be charged with handling your affairs. Leaving behind a well-planned estate is one of the greatest gifts you can give to those who will settle your affairs and distribute any of your property: money, real property, personal items, etc.
Basically, estate planning is a useful tool to ensure that your wishes are followed in regards as to what happens to your minor children, your belongings, your money, and your property when you die. Without a plan and the appropriate legal documents, such as a Will or Trust, the laws of Mississippi dictate what happens to your property and/or your minor children.
We can help you to develop a plan and create a legally-binding Will or Trust so that you can feel confident that your wishes will be followed. As part of our Estate Planning services, we can also assist with a Durable Power of Attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive.
Probate and Estates
When our loved ones pass away, not only are we left to celebrate their lives and grieve the loss, but some of us are also tasked with tending to their dependent children, money, and property. When the deceased has left behind a valid will, it can be probated in the Chancery Court to ensure that their last wishes are followed. If there is no will, then someone will have to petition to establish the deceased’s heirs and distribute their property according to Mississippi law.
We can help you, the named Executor (in the case of a Will) or the surviving spouse or next of kin (in the case of no Will), navigate the processes required to distribute the deceased’s property in a timely and proper manner.
Trademarks & Copyrights
*Services available to clients in all 50 U.S. states
**This office does not offer assistance with Patents. For patents, you will need to find a Patent Attorney.
Hello there, business owners, creatives, and writers!
Trademarks
If you have a great product or service that you currently sell or intend to sell, then you have most likely developed, or you’re in the process of developing, an equally wonderful logo, name brand, business name, or slogan to help consumers identify and distinguish your products or services from others. If this is true, you should consider pursuing a federal trademark to protect your business name, name brand, logo, etc.
This office is ready to assist with a knock-out search to make sure your mark is viable for registration, the application process, and any non-substantive office actions from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Copyrights
If you create a piece of art, write a song, write a book, write a script or a blog, design a building, take a photograph, and it is your original work, then you should consider registering your work with the U.S. Copyright Office to protect it from others who may try to copy and claim your work as their own.
We can assist with this process!
Business Services
Starting a New Business?
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Small business is booming in the United States as more and more people become self-employed or seek alternative ways of earning income beyond the 9-to-5 (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). However, if you are looking to begin your own business, we are here to advise you on the different types of business entities that are available to you and the pros and cons of each one. We can also assist with registering your business with the State of Mississippi and creating the required registration and governing documents, such as operating agreements, by-laws, resolutions, etc.
We can also draft contracts and provide contract reviews for small business owners, consultants, and contractors.
Expungement of Criminal Records
If you have ever found yourself with an arrest or conviction on your background check, then you know they are hard to get rid of…like that stray cat you wish you had never fed, right?
A criminal record follows you wherever you go. While most crimes should not affect you for the rest of your life, many employers, landlords, and others do consider the offenses listed on a person’s criminal background check when considering that person for employment or as a tenant.
Many offenses are now expungable in Mississippi, and we can help you remove certain misdemeanors and/or felonies from your criminal background records.
Property Issues
Understanding who owns a piece of real property and making sure the title is clear becomes an important issue if ever a person wishes to sell a property, take out a mortgage, use grant funds to rehabilitate a home, etc. Whether you’ve acquired a property through a quitclaim deed, a tax deed, a land patent, or inheritance, it is vital to make sure your title is clear.
If you have questions about your title to a piece of real property, need assistance with a deed or transferring title of real property, or need to confirm a tax deed or land patent, we can help you.
Family Law Issues
Not all divorces are long, drawn-out, and full of drama. Some couples decide, for a multitude of reasons, that they can no longer be married to each other. If you and your spouse have decided to go your separate ways and are agreeable to a divorce, we can help with an Irreconcilable Differences (ID) Divorce. We will help with the drafting of a divorce petition and provide guidance regarding the divorce process.
We can also assist with child custody and child support modification when the parties are in agreement about how to move forward.