Todd Courser and Associates

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is more aggressive than a Chapter 13 (where you are making payments that fit your income) and brings you a quick resolution.  This Chapter is designed to help those who have no means to pay back creditors.  Creditors of unsecured debts (credit cards, pay-day loans, etc.) act quickly and often place you in situations that are impossible to resolve.  Since Chapter 7 is not a repayment plan, you need to satisfy a certain formula called the “Bankruptcy Means Test.”  We can help you determine if you qualify.

Todd Courser 810-245-0813

Bankruptcy is a legal tool that enables you to protect some of your assets and to stop harassment, lawsuits and foreclosures by creditors.  Though bankruptcy is not to be taken lightly, there are many situations where it is the only resort.

Bankruptcy law has many Chapters.  The most common are Chapters 13 and 7.  The goal of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a plan designed to help you reduce your debt and make payments that fit your income.  Chapter 13 can stop foreclosures.  If your wages are garnished this plan can help stop these withdrawals.

Let us help you determine your situation and stop legal proceedings that may greatly affect you!

Todd Courser 810-245-0813

As we grow older, we all must deal with our own mortality.  Forming an estate plan can provide you with peace of mind and also define the terms of the rest of your life.  Estate plans give you a chance to look at your life and decide how your tangible assets will be transferred upon your death.  They can even provide encouragement to take steps in building your personal relationships with those around you.

As you proceed through this major transition in life, an estate plan can lessen the stress for you and your family.  It helps you to organize and plan the remainder of your life and after, leaving you time to enjoy it now.

We can help you with your estate plan.  Give us a call.

Todd Courser 810-245-0813

In the past, estate planning was conducted behind closed doors.  The family was kept in the dark until that particular family member passed away.  There are many reasons to keep this a private document.  It is of a very private nature and up to you to handle the way you want.  Unfortunately, every year there are many siblings finding themselves in disputes over family assets passed on to them.  Sometimes, the siblings don’t get along and that causes the problems, but more likely, the siblings do get along, but don’t understand the intentions of the deceased parent.

Parents are now starting to discuss openly with their children, the details of their estate plans.  They explain what they are thinking of doing with their estates, what they are trying to achieve and how it will affect each person.  It has been found that adult children can help give insights and feedback to the parents, which may help iron out any problems that may happen later.  In many ways, the children will be effected most by the estate plan and they can help the parents figure out how it may work out.

Remember, your estate plan can be done anyway you would like.  There are reasons to keep some private.  However, if you think it would be beneficial to discuss your estate plan with your children, to lessen the problems that may arise later, by all means, do so.

When you’re ready to put the estate plan in writing, come see us.

Todd Courser  810-245-0813

When a couple has had multiple marriages, estate planning can be more complicated.  If there are children involved, especially if there are children from more than one marriage, the couple may get frustrated even thinking about making an estate plan.  Ideally, a couple will discuss the issues together and come to some agreement about how to handle their estate before including anyone else in the discussion.

Sometimes a couple may need some guidance on which issues they need to discuss.  Meeting with an Estate Planning attorney may help you get started making the proper preparations.  No one likes to think about what will happen when they are gone, but it is easier to do so when you are healthy and thinking clearly.

Once you decide, as a couple, what you would like your estate plan to look like, you have two routes you can take.  You can make your family aware of your wishes or you may want to keep it between you and your attorney.  There are personal  reasons why people decide to do either of these.

Estate Planning is a very personal process.  You need an attorney who will listen to your wishes and advise you of the best plan to carry them out.

We can help you.  Give us a call.

Todd Courser 810-245-0813

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with your family and friends.  So take a break and  enjoy the holiday.  We’ll be here for all your legal and tax concerns after Thanksgiving when you’re re-energized.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Todd Courser 810-245-0813

The earned income tax credit is a credit that you might easily overlook on your tax return.  It is a federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families.  Back in 1975, Congress approved this credit to offset the burden of social security taxes and provide an incentive to work.

In order to take the tax credit, you need to qualify.  The qualifications may vary somewhat from year to year.  So, it is a good idea to ask your tax adviser if you meet the requirements.  Some people may not want to bother because they don’t owe any tax or are not required to file.  You have to file a tax return to receive the earned income credit.  If the credit exceeds the amount of taxes you owe, it will result in a tax refund.  It may pay for you to ask your tax adviser if you could benefit from this credit.

We can help you!

Todd Courser 810-245-0813

The IRS has posted a warning to the public about a phone scam.  A caller will say that he is from the IRS and that you owe back taxes.  He will say that you need to pay immediately with a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer or risk losing your driver’s license or being arrested.

These callers will state IRS badge numbers, the caller ID will say IRS, and they may even know your social security number or just the last four digits.  They may follow up with an e-mail or another call pretending to be the police.  Once again the caller ID will name a police department.

If the IRS has a problem with you owing taxes, they will contact you by mail, not the telephone.  They will not ask for pre-paid debit cards , wire transfers or credit card numbers over the phone.

If you get a suspicious call from someone claiming to be the IRS, the IRS suggests hanging up and calling them directly at 800-829-1040.  If you really owe back taxes, you will be assured that you are speaking with real IRS workers who can help you with your payment questions.

If you don’t owe taxes, you might like to make a report with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484 or with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov, putting IRS Telephone Scam in the comment line.

Remember the IRS will not ask for personal financial information by e-mail or texting either.  Please protect yourselves and be wise.

Now, if you do owe back taxes and would like help dealing with the IRS, we can help you!

Call Todd Courser 810-245-0813.

Before we know it, the holidays will come and go and it will be tax season again.  Being under the tax date deadline, puts pressure on all of us.  So now is a good time to do some early preparation work to make your life easier later.

Take a look at last year’s income tax return.  What documents did you need to collect last year?  Start a folder for this year.  When you receive documents that you will need for this year’s tax return, put them right in the folder.  If you already have documents that can be put in the folder, do it now.  If you need to search for a document, you may have more time to search for it now, instead of when the deadline is looming.

Take time to review your expenses, charitable contributions and retirement contributions.  Now is the time to determine if you want to add to these before the year end, so that you can take advantage of any deductions.

Doing these simple steps will hopefully make your tax preparation much easier when the time comes.

When you’re ready to do your taxes.  Call us.  We can help!

Todd Courser 810-245-0813

The holiday season comes at the end of every year.  For some people this is a busy time.  Hopefully, it is a time of joy. However, for some people the season can be exhausting.  So when January pops around, the last thing anyone wants to think about is tax preparation.

There are a few simple things that you can do now, to make your January/February tax preparation a little easier.  One of the most useful things to do is to find one place to store all of your tax documents.  When you receive tax information in the mail, place it in this spot.  Make sure this spot is only used for tax documents and is not mixed in with other mail.  It is not bad to keep this place working all year.  Property tax receipts, car registrations and medical receipts are just some of the documents you might accumulate over the year.

Another item to consider is doing an energy efficiency improvement.  If you are thinking about making an improvement, doing it before the end of the year, may give you a credit on your tax return.

If you are wanting to make a charitable contribution, now is also a good time to do it.  Besides helping out people in need during the holidays, you may also be able to claim the contribution as a deduction on your taxes.

Just doing a few simple things can alleviate some of the stress come tax season.  To further alleviate your stress, we are here to help you with all of your tax return needs.  We can help you take advantage of any tax break for which you are entitled.

We can help you!  Call Todd Courser 810-245-0813.