Facebook should be treated like an asset of the deceased member’s estate and therefore managed by the executor and controlled by the deceased member’s Will.

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Many people think of lawyers in adversarial roles, arguing one side or the other in a courtroom dispute. But there are times when a lawyer can play a more personal hand-holding role, simply helping someone get through a major crisis in their life.

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I’m often involved in disputes over the contents of safe deposit boxes – usually when the boxes are jointly leased. A recent case in Forsyth County provides a helpful reminder of the rules involved.

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The federal government and state attorneys general across the country recently secured a historic settlement with the country’s five largest home loan servicers in an attempt to address the home foreclosure crisis. But what does that mean to distressed homeowners in Northeast Georgia and the rest of our state?

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Georgia lawyers have always been able to confidently tell their clients that children do not “inherit” the debts owed by parents. As shown by a recent case in Gwinnett County, however, a child may be liable for certain debts accruing with respect to his parent’s property following his parent’s death.

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W. Woodrow “Woody” Stewart, a brilliant attorney and cornerstone of the regional law firm of Stewart Melvin & Frost, passed away on January 9, 2012. He left a far-reaching legacy with his firm and clients, while inspiring a culture of philanthropy that will be felt for generations throughout the North Georgia region. In 1966, Mr. Stewart joined ...read more

Mediation is very popular tool available in our court system and something the courts here value. In other jurisdictions that don’t require mediation, they appreciate the value of it.

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Economic hardship plays a key factor for couples contemplating divorce.

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Adverse Possession is used in rural locations, even today, to clear up the boundaries of vast stretches of farmland or mountainous country that often do not have legal plats or surveys. The concept – sometimes referred to as “squatters’ rights” – is still around and continues to serve these functions in the law. In fact, all 50 states, including Georgia, still have laws that provide for adverse possession.

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Back in the good old days, it used to be said – for certain trustworthy individuals – that “their word was their bond.” But in our modern-day, more complex and litigious society, does a person’s word still count for anything today?

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Investing in a good business attorney on the front end is a wise move to build a firm foundation and a good start.

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For family businesses – as well as any small business – succession planning is very important, particularly from a tax standpoint. Without proper planning, the untimely death of a business owner could unknowingly saddle the next generation of the business with a big tax burden.

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A decade after the terrorism attacks of September 11 on American soil, many aspects of our lives are much different today. But with the perspective of 10 years later, how has 911 really affected our civil liberties?

 

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These days, the “economy” seems to have replaced “the weather” as the No. 1 topic of small talk. The recession and its impact on virtually everyone and nearly every facet of the economy has certainly dominated discussion around kitchen tables throughout America.

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The real estate crisis and recession have impacted nearly everyone – and in many different ways. The unemployment rate is close to 10 percent in Georgia. Numerous homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure. Many small business owners have closed their doors.

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