Omaha Legal Issues Blog

The holiday season is a particularly stressful time for many Nebraska residents. When people who don't always spend time together gather for an event that is often hyped by general society to be full of fun and merriment, a tense situation can sometimes arise, during which a person may display atypical behavior, resulting in a need for criminal defense. This is possibly what happened on Thanksgiving Day at a residence in Kearney.

Police were called to a local hospital where a young man claimed to have been shot at his home. According to the subsequent investigation, the incident occurred when an altercation broke out among several people at the man's home. The alleged victim was shot multiple times with what appeared to be a BB gun and was released from the hospital following treatment for his injuries.

When a married couple decides to separate, they must make many difficult decisions addressing various aspects of their lives: finances, property, children, etc. To make matters more difficult, many people find the divorce process an extremely emotional and stressful time. Although everything seems overwhelming at this time, Nebraska divorcing individuals are advised to review their estate plan while the divorce is in process. In doing so, a person can ensure his or her control over what happens in case of death or incapacitation during the divorce process.

An expert suggests several important aspects of a typical estate plan that people should revisit. For one, in their health proxy, most people likely named their spouse as the person responsible for making health care decisions for them in case of an accident. In light of an ongoing divorce, most individuals will want to update this name. A divorcing person should also change his or her power of attorney, especially in the case of a less than amicable divorce, since the current document may allow the soon-to-be-ex access to the partner's assets and accounts.

Financial decisions can be difficult at the best of times. Throw in a divorce and people tend to find money matters even more challenging, and some divorcing Nebraska residents may find themselves making poor financial choices during this stressful time. A financial expert offers a few tips regarding common financial mistakes divorcing individuals should avoid, preventing them from having to sort through a financial mess later.

At a time when expenses are high and unexpected costs seem to be popping up, some people may consider cashing in investments or dipping into their 401(k) to improve their cash flow, reasoning that they can simply return the money later. However, people need to remember the substantial tax bill that will likely result from such actions. In the case of a 401(k), a 10 percent IRS penalty will also apply if the individual is under the age of 59 1/2. Above all, taking money away from these areas means altering a financial plan that was in place for a reason.

When a couple marries, each partner typically assumes the union will last a lifetime, but sadly, statistics indicate that this is not always the case. Because the outcome of marriage is never guaranteed, married Nebraska residents are wise to consider and prepare for the possibility of being on their own. Even if an individual is already considering divorce, he or she can benefit from the following tips and become as informed as possible before the split happens. Many people, especially women, report feeling unprepared for the financial aftermath of their divorce. Being financially savvy can help individuals avoid some of the stress one can experience in this area post-divorce.

Ideally, both partners should be involved in the finances of a marriage, including day-to-day money management, bank accounts, assets and liabilities, and details of life insurance policies, retirement funds and the like. If a couple uses a financial advisor, it is smart for both partners to attend all meetings and take part in decision-making and planning. If either or both partners are considering divorce and this level of involvement has not been the case throughout the marriage, it is never too late to become better informed.