- Divorce
- Child SupportMany consumer debts can be discharged through bankruptcy. However, if you forget to include debt in your paperwork, then it won’t be discharged. There are also 19 categories of debts that can’t be discharged, including child support, fines owed to the government, tax debts, criminal restitution, student loans, and debts based on tax-advantage retirement plans. Even though some debts can be considered non-dischargeable, they can be discharged if a creditor doesn’t challenge you.
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Premarital AgreementIf there is a will, the probate court examines it to determine if it was legally created. In order to be valid, wills in Kentucky are required to be in writing, signed and dated by the testator, and signed by witnesses. Wills are examined to see if they list all the testator’s assets, if the assets are properly valued, and if the assets can be passed on the way the testator wanted. For example, a testator cannot disinherit his or her spouse unless there is a prenuptial agreement stipulating otherwise.
- Spousal SupportOur bankruptcy lawyers for Chapter 7 often hear this question. Filing for bankruptcy does not discharge all debt. It can eliminate credit card debt, medical bills and unsecured loans, though. You will remain responsible for other debts, including child support, spousal support obligations, student loans and most unpaid taxes. If you have questions about how bankruptcy would affect your situation specifically, feel free to give us a call at (859) 254-552 for an initial conversation.
- Wrongful Death
- Traffic ViolationsProbate can make your private financial information public; it can also announce who your beneficiaries are. Trusts can keep your information private while speeding up the home’s transfer to its new beneficiary.
- Theft
- Assault
- Corporate LawDuring the last several years, Tom has played an increasing role at Bunch & Brock in Estate Planning (drafting Last Wills and Trusts, Power of Attorney, Designation of Heath Care Surrogate and HIPPA Releases) and Estate Administration (Probate cases). Finally, Tom enjoys consulting for small and new businesses, incorporations, contract drafting (covenant not to compete, trade secret and non-disclosure agreements), and lease drafting and negotiations. Tom is the Co-Author of “Using Social Science Methods to Improve Voir Dire and Jury Selection” in A Handbook of Jury Research, published by the American Law Institute and the American Bar Association (also known as ALI-ABA), in 1999.
- Business FormationOur business attorneys provide comprehensive legal services to small and medium-sized businesses, including business formation and incorporation.
- Business DisputesThe Bunch & Brock law firm has been helping business owners, individuals and families address important legal matters for over 40 years. Whether you are invested in growing your business, concerned about bankruptcy or thinking ahead about your estate, the business law, estate planning and bankruptcy attorneys at Bunch & Brock can help identify solutions to move you forward.
- Limited Liability CompaniesFamily limited partnerships and limited liability companies – Business owners can use an FLP to create a plan for dividing assets and control of a family business, thus avoiding probate delays and expenses. An LLC can also include plans to transfer assets and control of a family-owned entity — and eliminate death taxes.
- Trade Secrets
- Employment Contract
- Non-compete AgreementNon-disclosure and non-compete agreements: These protect business practices as well as the company itself. Non-disclosure agreements make sure that none of the trade or practicing secrets of a company may be disclosed publicly, even after employment ends. The non-compete agreement ensures that a business doesn’t train an individual only to have them take the training to a competing entity and use that training in competition against the original company.
- Severance AgreementEven with a severance package, an unexpected job loss can lead individuals to financial ruin. Unfortunately, savings accounts and assets only take you so far, and there is no way to know when you’ll get another job.
- Real Estate TransactionsYou should keep the original document in a safe place and give copies to the agent, the alternate agent, family members, and affected institutions such as your bank, brokerage firm, lawyer, and accountant. If you gave your agent the power to conduct real estate transactions, you should also file a copy of your POA in the land records office in the county where you own real estate.
- Personal InjuryMatt handles complicated bankruptcies and debt restructuring in Chapters 11 and 13 for both individuals and companies. He has also negotiated with multiple creditors on behalf of his clients to avoid bankruptcy. Matt is the firm’s lead litigator and handles contract disputes, certain personal injury claims and general litigation.
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningWhen you’re ready to discuss developing a plan for you and your family, an estate planning attorney in Lexington, KY, is here for you.
- WillsWills, living wills, and testamentary trusts – In addition to a will to disburse your property and provide for minor children, you may want to have a living will, which directs your healthcare if you are in end-stage illness. A testamentary trust can be used to place some or all of your assets in a trust, providing managed funds to support a child or other needy family member. Our attorneys can help you draft the wills and trusts necessary for your estate planning needs.
- TrustsRevocable trusts are also called living trusts. It is a type of trust that you can cancel at any time. The grantor of a revocable trust is both the beneficiary and the trustee. It can provide flexibility and income to the grantor. The earned income can be distributed to the grantor throughout the life of the trust. At death, its property transfers to the trust’s beneficiaries.
- Power of AttorneyA financial power of attorney is a legal document that can ensure that a trusted person is handling your financial affairs when you are not mentally or physically capable of doing so yourself. This document can be used for a specific need or to grant a chosen individual durable (ongoing) financial authority. While no one wants to think about becoming incapable of handling their own affairs, designating an agent to manage your financial affairs in advance makes sure the person you want is doing so. It also prevents the uncertainties that can result if a court must appoint a guardian or conservator to make the decisions for you.
- ProbateThe complexities of probate law require the guidance of a skilled Kentucky probate attorney. Perhaps you are uncertain of your rights and responsibilities, or you simply may not know where to begin. The Lexington probate lawyers at Bunch & Brock are accomplished legal professionals with more than 35 years of legal experience. Offering comprehensive counsel along with friendly, personal service, we have efficiently and effectively guided many people through the probate process. Put our experience to work for you.
- BankruptcyA Chapter 13 attorney may be the solution you’re looking for if you’ve hit a financial wall and are uncertain of what to do next. Chapter 13 bankruptcy has provided many families with a fresh start and a brighter future.
- ForeclosureIn the story of the American Dream, there is no mention of losing your job to downsizing, your home to foreclosure, your access to easy credit. Yet, these losses have been felt by a multitude of hardworking people who tried to provide for their family only to end up with finances in shambles. Creditors who want their money yesterday. Ominous foreclosure notices in the mail. Utilities being shut off. Cars being repossessed. Wages being garnished.
- Tax Law
- Debt Collection