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A 2021 survey found that 219.2 million people aged 12 and older (or over 78% of people in the age bracket) had consumed alcohol at some point in their lives. While this includes one-time alcohol consumption, it also illuminates how commonplace alcohol is in our culture and our lives. Many adults are able to control their alcohol consumption, but many others struggle and experience the dangers of alcohol addiction firsthand. What are some of the potential legal consequences of alcohol addiction?

Your estate plan is one of the most critical ways that you can protect the financial future of your family, your assets, and your wishes for what happens when you are no longer here. Whether you have a large family or it’s just you, it is still critical to create an estate plan. What are some of the types of things that you need to account for in your estate plan?

Many people avoid the estate planning conversation because it’s uncomfortable to think about what will happen when they are no longer here. Unfortunately, this also means that many people who pass away suddenly leave behind no guidance for their loved ones. In this informative blog, we will be breaking down some of the most common myths about estate planning so that you can be fully informed when starting the process.

Over the course of this series spotlighting veterans and criminal justice, we have reviewed the unique relationship between our servicemembers and the criminal justice system. Sadly, many veterans who have fought for our freedom come home only to find that they do not have the resources and support necessary to enjoy their freedom.

As we’ve traveled through this series, we’ve highlighted the relationships between United States military veterans and criminal justice. While veterans are not disproportionately impacted by crime, there are unique challenges that veterans experience that can lead to them being vulnerable to involvement in robbery or theft.

In 2018, researchers found that active duty servicemembers are three times more likely than civilians to be perpetrators of domestic violence. Experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) is also more likely for servicemembers and their loved ones. This is a major issue pertaining to veterans and criminal justice. Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and depression are more likely to perpetrate violence against others compared to those who have not been diagnosed. PTSD involves symptoms like substance abuse, emotional numbness, aggressive or violent behaviors, and self-injury among other problems.

Many veterans suffer from trauma and substance abuse, leading them to become involved with the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, this isn’t a rare occurrence. Studies show that 1 in 3 U.S. veterans have been arrested and put in jail at least once. In total, veterans account for 5% of all inmates in federal prisons.

Springtime is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your New Year’s resolutions. One of the greatest things about resolutions is they don’t come with a deadline. Instead, they provide us with an opportunity to recognize our goals so we can work to achieve them. Do you plan to incorporate trusts into your goals this year?

Today marks the fourth stop on our New Year’s estate planning tour. Let's take a look at the importance of reviewing deeds as part of your New Year's resolutions this year. Deeds are legal documents that officially transfer real property from a seller to a buyer. In this case, “real property” includes real estate or land. Most people spend years saving up to buy a home and own their own property. Throughout their lives, they work hard to maintain its value and pass it down to future generations. Now they want to ensure their children will easily be able to inherit property without complications.

Creating a will is one of the most important goals to add to your list of New Year’s resolutions. Without this document, there’s no guarantee that your wishes will be fulfilled after death. You’ve spent your life working hard to support yourself and your family. What could be more important than getting your affairs in order and protecting your family’s future? Most people wouldn’t commonly associate New Year’s goals with estate planning. That’s why we want to remind you of its importance. Putting a will together does require time and effort, but working with a skilled attorney makes the process simple.