The Bledsoe Firm - August 2019

Storing Summer Attire Consider purchasing plastic storage tubs or boxes to put your clothes in. If you’re storing dresses, skirts, or any fancy clothing, plastic or nylon garment bags will help prevent them from getting dirty and wrinkly. Before you start piling your clothes in, be sure to wash and completely dry them. This helps prevent mold or mildew and keeps your clothes looking new when it's time to take them out again. Also, it can be a good idea to place cedar sachets in with your clothes and around the neck of your hangers; the wood will keep away pesky insects without leaving bad smells behind. Storing Your Summer Gadgets Outdoor items are more likely to get damaged as they endure the elements. When you’re storing rakes, shovels, or any other garden tools, make sure they’re washed, dried, and sharpened before putting them into your shed or garage. Patios should be cleaned off and given a fresh coat of wax, and outdoor furniture should be dusted, cleaned, and covered to keep the frost, snow, and rain off.

Although winter seems like a distant prospect, it will be here before you know it. While many people are sad to see their summer clothes and gadgets get stored away until next season, it's a good idea to start planning now. Taking the time to properly pack away summer gear is beneficial and can save you from unneeded worry next year. Why It’s Important to Store Summer Gear Properly organizing and storing your summer clothes will help them last longer and prevent you from aimlessly rummaging when searching for that perfect fall sweater or blouse. Likewise, when you cover your patio furniture and tuck your bicycle and tools away, they are less likely to be damaged by animals or any harsh winter weather.

3 Reasons You Need a Prenup

A prenuptial agreement may not be the most romantic thing you’ve ever contemplated, but having one could be the key to protecting both yourself and your future spouse in the event of a divorce. Here are things to consider before tying the knot. Y ou have a lot of assets . This is the common reason people get prenups. High net-worth divorces are some of the most difficult and contentious to deal with. With a prenup in place, there’s no question of what’s going to happen to the property you have each designated as separate. It’s already settled, and you can move on to figuring out what’s going to happen with the children, if there are any. I t ’ s your second marriage . Blending a family creates some inheritance issues. If one of you passes, you might want to make sure your children get the amount of your estate that you want them to receive. At the same time, you will want to make sure your spouse is provided for and that all the assets don’t flow directly to your children. Whatever you choose, it’s a good idea to have it in writing before the marriage, creating a safer and more secure future for you and your family. O ne or both of you plan to take out student loans for yourself or for your children . Student loan debt is arguably the biggest and most burdensome debt most people take out, second only to a mortgage. These days, parents often co-sign on the student loans of their children. Do not fall into the trap of co-signing on a loan for a child or your new spouse. If that occurs and then you and your new spouse divorce, you could end up on the hook to pay student loan debt for one or more of your former stepchildren. It is best to contract out of that prior to the marriage and have an understanding that neither of you will be responsible for any educational costs of the children of the other spouse.

this, especially if one spouse works while the other goes to school. It can also end up divided if any amount of the loan money goes towards living expenses. If you want to make sure

each of you walks away with his or her own student debt, no more and no less, a prenup is the way to do it. And if you want some other arrangement, it’s a good idea to figure it out while you’re both still on good terms. If you are considering a prenuptial agreement, do not delay it. It is best to deal with difficult or touchy financial issues while your wedding date is still far into the future. It often never ceases to amaze me how little engaged couples have discussed the hard financial issues that are part of any marriage, such as allocating discretionary income between balancing the competing needs of their children from previous relationships. One person who came to me explained that he thought he was going to have a wonderful marriage with a person he believed was his soul mate. However, after they were married, she began to spend their community earnings on her adult children and her grandchildren. At the same time, she resented him for spending money on his children and grandchildren. Even though second- marriage spouses may not be raising their own children together, there are real financial issues to deal with. It is best to anticipate and deal with potential conflicts well before the wedding. Having realistic expectations is a big part of a successful marriage. If there are financial issues that may cause you to think about a prenuptial, give our office a call to schedule an appointment. We’ll answer all your prenup questions and set you in the right direction as you commit to one another.

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Generally, spouses are responsible for their own student debt and are assigned that debt without offset. However, there can be exceptions to

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