One and Co

One and Co

Archives for March 2023

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Dividing Retirement Benefits After Dissolving a Marriage

Divorce is a difficult process, and it can be even more complicated when it comes to dividing retirement benefits. Retirement accounts are considered property that can be divided in a divorce, just like your home or bank accounts. It’s important to understand how the division of retirement benefits works so you can make sure you get your fair share.

If you hear the term QDRO, you’ll know that you’re a full fledged grown up. A QDRO is a court order that judges use to split up certain types of retirement plans, like a 401(k), into two equal parts for a divorcing couple. QDRO stands for qualified domestic relations order. A QDRO is created to make sure both parties in a couple get equal shares of money from the retirement benefits they’ve accumulated throughout their marriage. That said, sometimes in a contentious divorce, the court will designate half of the retirement assets to go toward alimony or child support if one member of the couple can’t fulfill their financial obligations or isn’t attempting to. But if that isn’t your case, and with any luck, you’ll each get half of the retirement benefits.

Before retirement benefits can be divided, they must be accurately valued. The value of defined contribution plans is typically straightforward since they are based on account balances. Valuing defined benefit plans, however, can be more complex since they are based on formulas that consider factors such as years of service and earnings.

The division of retirement benefits can also be influenced by state laws. Some states consider retirement benefits earned during the marriage to be marital property subject to division, while others may only consider the benefits earned during the marriage but not the increase in value after the marriage. It is essential to consult with an attorney familiar with the applicable state law to ensure that the division of retirement benefits is done correctly.

The terms of the divorce settlement agreement will also impact the division of retirement benefits. The agreement may specify the percentage of the retirement benefit that each spouse will receive or the method of valuation. It is crucial to have a well-drafted divorce settlement agreement that clearly defines how retirement benefits will be divided to avoid any potential disputes in the future.

The division of retirement benefits can have significant tax implications. If the retirement benefits are divided as part of a divorce settlement, they may be taxable to the recipient spouse. The tax implications of dividing retirement benefits should be considered when negotiating a divorce settlement.

It’s important to remember that pensions and other retirement benefits earned during your relationship are considered jointly-acquired (or “community”) property and will be divided between you upon divorce according to state law and/or court order. It’s best practice for both parties involved in a divorce settlement involving retirement assets or pensions to consult with an experienced family law attorney who can help ensure that each party receives their fair share of these assets upon dissolution of marriage.

Dividing retirement benefits after dissolving a marriage is a complex process that requires careful consideration of the type of retirement plan, state law, and the terms of the divorce settlement agreement. Working with an experienced attorney can help ensure that the division of retirement benefits is done correctly and that the parties understand the potential tax implications of the division. It is essential to have a well-drafted divorce settlement agreement that clearly defines how retirement benefits will be divided to avoid any potential disputes in the future. Sometimes you might need a local bankruptcy lawyer in Huntsville, or wherever you live, to help advise you too if you are overwhelmed with joint debt. By understanding the different types of retirement benefits and the applicable laws, parties can ensure that their rights and interests are protected during the divorce process.

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3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Space for Your Medical Practice

Starting your own medical practice is a daunting process because of things like the complex and highly regulated nature of the healthcare industry, the high financial and time investment needed to establish and maintain a practice, the need for extensive knowledge and experience in medicine and business management, and the significant responsibility of providing high-quality care to patients. Still, whether you’re looking for more control over your work-life balance, financial security, or fulfillment from building meaningful relationships with patients, starting your own medical practice is commendable.

So here are some tips on what to consider when choosing a space for your private practice.

Location

When choosing a place for your medical practice, the location is one of the most important factors to consider. You want to choose a location that is easily accessible for your patients and staff, with ample parking and public transportation options. Also, proximity to amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores is a good idea.

To find the right location:

  • Identify your target patient demographics – age, income, and location – so that you can narrow down your search to areas where there is a higher concentration of your target patient demographic
  • Conduct market research on the areas you are considering to see if there is a demand for your medical services in that area
  • Check zoning laws to make sure the location you are considering is zoned for medical use

Size and Layout

It’s important to carefully consider the size and layout of your medical practice’s space. You want a space that is large enough to accommodate all of your staff, equipment, and patients comfortably, with room for growth. Also, the layout should be designed to optimize patient flow and privacy.

To find the right size and layout:

  • Visit multiple potential locations to get an idea of what is available and compare the different options
  • Get the measurement of the size of each room, including the ceiling height
  • Consider hiring an expert office planner or architect as they can guide you on the best layout, and design

Amenities and Infrastructure

The amenities and infrastructure of a potential space should also be taken into account. For example, you should look for a location that offers things like reliable internet, and security. Also, you may want to consider the availability of shared conference rooms or other common spaces that could be used for meetings or training sessions.

To find the right amenities and infrastructure:

  • Research potential locations that offer the amenities and infrastructure that you need. You can search online, contact a commercial real estate agent, or ask colleagues for recommendations
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the amenities and infrastructure offered. Ask about everything from the reliability of the internet connection to the availability of property inspection services
  • Consider your budget because the right amenities and infrastructure won’t require you to go way over budget. While it may be tempting to choose a location with all the bells and whistles, it’s important that you’re not overspending on amenities that you don’t really need

Finding the right space for your private medical practice is important. So be sure to consider location, layout, and amenities during your search.

 

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3 Ways To Adjust Your Lifestyle When Planning A Wedding

If you’re engaged and planning your own wedding or helping to plan someone else’s, you already know just how stressful the entire experience can be. There are so many expenses to think about and you have to make sure all of the vendors you want are available on the correct date(s). Planning a wedding can become so stressful, in fact, that many couples end up opting to just elope instead because it’s so much easier!

But it’s definitely possible to have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank or giving yourself and your future spouse a giant headache! Here are 3 ways you can adjust your lifestyle when planning a wedding to make things easier on yourself.

Stay Organized

Staying organized is a big and important part of wedding planning and will help make the entire process much less stressful for everyone. You may not think you need to get started early, but in actuality the earlier you begin the planning process the better. Purchase a specialized notebook or planner so that you can write down everything that needs to get done and make sure to prioritize the things that need to be done more quickly.

For example, ordering a dress and a suit is one of the tasks you should try to take care of early on because you will likely need alterations and want to make sure you have plenty of time before the wedding date to ensure that everything fits correctly.

Other things, such as securing a venue – should also be made priority. Even something as simple as hiring a wedding photographer or someone to film your wedding can be a challenge because these types of vendors’ schedules can book up very quickly!

If you keep all of this organized, you’ll have a much less stressful time making all of your wedding plans come together.

Communicate Well

Communicating well with your future spouse as well as anyone else in your life who’s involved in your wedding is great advice because it’ll help to reduce hurt feelings, arguments, or any other conflicts that are unfortunately common during the wedding planning process. Make sure to talk to your fiancé regularly about your wants and needs, not just about the wedding itself but beyond that as well and you’ll already be on the path to a long and happy marriage.

Save Money

Even if you plan to have a small and inexpensive wedding, costs can add up rather quickly. Save money by getting an extra job on the side or picking up extra shifts at your day job and be sure to put this money away in a “wedding fund”.

You could also consider quitting a habit such as smoking or drinking to save extra money to put toward your wedding. Once the wedding bills start piling up, you’ll be glad you did!

 

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3 More Ways to Make Your Household Eco-Friendly

As time goes by, most of us are looking for ways to be more eco conscious. If you are looking to make your home more eco friendly, here are some great tips from expert installers of solar panels in Suffolk.

Be mindful about how you dry your washing

Keeping on top of the washing can be a monumental task. Waiting for it to dry can also be tedious. The greenest, and cheapest, way to dry your clothes is to hang them on the washing line and let mother nature do her thing.

However, when it’s too cold or rainy to dry clothes outside you might need to get more creative.

You can put clothes to dry on your radiators. Alternatively, you can hang them on a normal or heated clothes dryer by a dehumidifier or in a well ventilated area. Although these clothes drying methods still consume energy, generally speaking they are more energy efficient than using a tumble drier.

Improve your home recycling

It’s easy to think that simply putting any tins, glass, cardboard, paper and plastic in the recycling bin means you’re helping the environment.

However, a lot of us don’t realise that there is a wrong way to recycle. What’s more, putting incorrect items into your recycling bin can cause contamination, meaning it sadly still ends up in landfill. In fact, according to the Local Government Association, 525,000 tonnes of household recycling was rejected from facilities in the UK in 2019/20!

Always check that the packaging from products you use is suitable for recycling before you put it into your recycle bin.

Don’t forget to clean out packaging before you put it into the recycling bin too. Bottles, jars and cans can easily be rinsed to remove any residue. However, food and grease stains on cardboard and paper can’t be cleaned away so it’s best to put these contaminated items into your normal rubbish bin.

Waste Not Want Not!

One of the easiest ways to have a more eco-friendly household is reducing waste. You can achieve this in multiple ways. Most waste reduction boils down to only buying and using what your household needs and to avoid overconsumption.

When it comes to preventing food waste, this logic applies. Try to make sure you use up as much of the food that you buy as you can (providing it is safe to eat of course). You can keep some food fresh to be used on a later date by freezing it. Alternatively, some kitchen waste such as tea bags, coffee grounds and fruit and veg scraps can be suitable for composting.

To reduce other forms of waste, make sure you use up other items like toiletries and cleaning products before you buy more. Also opt for items with less packaging where possible.

You can also reduce energy waste by only switching lights and appliances on when in use. Being more mindful about your energy consumption could potentially save you hundreds on your bills each year. As could improving your home’s energy efficiency through installing measures like insulation and solar panels.