Blog
The IRS’ Top Financial Crime Cases of 2023
Earlier this month, the IRS Criminal Investigation Team (IRS-CI) began counting down its Top 10 cases for 2023 on Twitter. The IRS-CI is responsible for investigating financial crimes such as tax fraud, health care fraud, identity theft, money laundering, trafficking,...
Service Members Impacted by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Now Eligible for VA Benefits
Thousands of LGBTQ veterans who were forced out of the military under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy will now be eligible for their Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. Approximately 14,000 service members were given other-than-honorable discharges due to their...
Right to Repair Act: Georgia’s Legal Answer to Construction Issues
Whether it’s a household repair or new construction, if you’ve owned a home for a significant length of time, you’ve probably worked with a residential contractor. Ideally, the contractor’s work is completed on time, on budget, and to your standards. But...
Five Estate Planning Lessons from HBO’s Succession
HBO’s Succession recently wrapped up its third season. The popular drama depicts the dysfunctional Roy family and their multi-billion dollar Waystar Royco media conglomerate. Patriarch Logan Roy is at constant odds with his four children, Connor, Kendall, Shiv, and...
IRS Announces New Standard Deduction for 2022 Tax Year
Every year, when you fill out your federal income tax return, you can choose whether to take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. Most people claim the standard deduction. Recently, the IRS announced an adjustment to the 2022 tax year standard deduction,...
Recording Your Family History This Holiday Season
Our family stories are complex and dramatic. There are challenging times, personal triumphs, villains, heroes, life lessons, and moments of levity. Every family has a story, but unfortunately, these memories can become lost to time if they are not shared with the...
In the Headlines: Zillow Closing its House-Flipping Operation
Zillow first launched about 15 years ago as a company that connected real estate agents with potential clients. It’s primarily known for publishing online real estate listings and “Zestimate” home price estimates. In 2019, Zillow introduced Offers, a high-tech...
What If Your Beneficiaries Are Under the Age of 18?
During the estate planning process, while you’re figuring out who you want to inherit your estate, you may also need to determine when and how. Minors (those who are under 18 years old) cannot legally own property, so you’ll need to make careful arrangements for them....
Holiday Party Liability in the Workplace
It’s the holiday season! Time for family gatherings and other festive events. Some companies may be planning on throwing a holiday party for their employees this year. An office party is a great opportunity to relax and mingle with coworkers. But these parties can...
What Homeowners Associations Can’t Enforce on their Homeowners
If you live in Metro Atlanta, chances are, your home is part of a homeowner’s association – also known as an HOA. Homeowner’s Associations are the governing bodies of communities such as apartment complexes, condominium buildings, or gated neighborhoods. The HOA is...
Do You Have to Hire the Attorney Who Drafted Your Estate Plan to Probate Your Will?
When a person passes away, and their loved ones are ready to probate the will and close the estate, they may wonder, “do I have to hire the same attorney who drafted the estate plan to then probate the will?” What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Do? An estate...
Protecting Veterans and their Families with VA Aid & Attendance Benefits
Veterans Day honors all those who have served in the US military. Originally known as Armistice Day, this federal holiday also marks the end of World War I on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918. At Brian M. Douglas & Associates, we greatly...