#West Palm Beach Business Lawyers

[beardedmrbean]

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO and accused serial sexual predator Mike Jeffries was arrested Tuesday as part of a sex-trafficking investigation.

The 79-year-old disgraced fashion-giant boss — whose twisted antics allegedly led to more than 100 men being abused — was nabbed in West Palm Beach, Fla. 

His partner, Matthew Smith, 60, as well as a business associate, James Jacobson, 70 — previously described by accusers as a middleman who is missing his nose and covers the spot with a snakeskin patch, according to the BBC — were also arrested in the case, sources told The Post.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn were set to hold a news conference later Tuesday to announce the charges in the sex-trafficking and interstate prostitution case – including involving a “former CEO of a major company.”

The arrests come roughly a year after the FBI started probing claims Jeffries allegedly orchestrated elaborate sex events to exploit and sexually abuse young male models during his 22-year tenure at the brand.

The claims first surfaced as part of an explosive BBC News report last year in which 12 men alleged they were lured to events at Jeffries’ upscale New York residence or luxury hotels in the world’s fashion capitals between 2009 to 2015.

In the wake of the BBC report, a class-action civil suit was filed in New York last year alleging that more than 100 men had been abused and that the fashion juggernaut turned a blind eye to Jeffries’ alleged misconduct.

David Bradberry, the lead plaintiff in the case and one of the dozen men who spoke to the BBC, alleged he felt pressured into having sex with Jeffries at one of his parties in his Hamptons mansion.  

Bradberry, then 23 and an aspiring model, told the outlet that he “didn’t feel safe to say ‘no’ or ‘I don’t feel comfortable with this’” because of the home’s “secluded” location and presence of Jeffries’ staff — who all dressed in a uniform of head-to-toe A&F.

The suit, filed in October last year, also alleged Jefferies had modeling scouts scouring the Internet for prey — and that some prospective models vying to become the next face of Abercrombie ended up sex-trafficking victims.

“Jeffries was so important to the profitability of the brand that he was given complete autonomy to perform his role as CEO however he saw fit, including through the use of blatant international sex-trafficking and abuse of prospective Abercrombie models,” the suit alleged.

Jeffries, who left Abercrombie in 2014, denied the allegations at the time.

His lawyer, Brian Bieber, said in a statement to The Post on Tuesday, “We will respond in detail to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse – not the media.”

Abercrombie & Fitch said at the time that the company was “appalled and disgusted” by the claims, adding it had hired an outside law firm to conduct a review.

n the wake of the arrests, lawyers representing the plaintiffs, Brad Edwards and Brittany Henderson, said in a statement Tuesday, “Our firm represents all of the victims in the class action case we filed on their behalf. 

“All four of the defendants, including Abercrombie and Fitch, have tried everything possible to delay our lawsuit from proceeding, presumably because they knew it would lead to criminal arrests. Despite their efforts, the arrests happened anyway, and we are looking forward to cooperating with law enforcement to make sure that the criminal and civil justice systems are successful in this prosecution.”

Jeffries was largely credited for the brand’s boost in popularity among teens in the early nineties with its slew of advertising campaigns featuring bare-chested young male and female models.

The brand became a darling of turn-of-the-millennium teen mall culture with its stores pumped full of cologne.

Lawyers for Smith and Jacobson did not immediately return Post requests for comment Tuesday.

[grottweiler]

OC Lore

Thomas McCobb Sr. was an unknown ambulance chasing lawyer in the Miami suburbs until a high profile defendant catapulted him into a household name. Now, his face is on nearly every bus stop and billboard from Key West to Pensacola. His adopted son, Thomas Jr., a gargoyle like Grottweiler, was eager to join the family business just as soon as he could pay someone to pass the bar exam for him.

Thomas the Elder spends most of his time commuting back and forth between client offices in Tallahassee and Palm Beach, but Thomas the Younger has set up shop in Flagler, a small city about an hour south of Miami proper, where he represents the mayor, Frank DeMarco.

DeMarco (not seen here) is an ambitious politician with nowhere to go. Every higher office he has his eyes on is already filled by a member of his own party and he doesn't have the muscle to challenge any of them, so he has spent the last few years amassing as much power as a municipal government will allow (and then some), ruling over his 4.65 square mile kingdom with an iron fist. He's biding his time until an incumbent retires so he can pounce and get the hell away from "Downwind Miami."

McCobb thinks of himself as DeMarco's Number 2, but in actuality he's his Number 3. His real Number 2 is his daughter, Delaney, the brains to McCobb's brawns. The three of them have unchecked power over every facet of the city, and the biggest thorn in their collective side is Grottweiler. Grott has neither power nor ambition for it, but he's popular with the people of Flagler because he's always willing to lend a helping claw. He's a community organizer, a volunteer, an activist, and that doesn't sit well with the de facto triumvirate. Frank and Delaney see Grott as a woke radical demon, and McCobb sees him as a malformed homunculus with whom he's ashamed to be a member of the same species; although he is a gargoyle, Thomas McCobb is his father's son through and through, and his peers consider him "human on the inside."

Grott is completely unaware of the political machinations behind the scenes. He doesn't know that he's Public Enemy No. 1, he just thinks this is what everyone has to deal with.

[pixelatedquarter]

Medley/Magic 8 Ball/Setlist Swaps (All Medley songs are partial and on piano unless otherwise noted)

Day 1, Chicago:

Lake Shore Drive (Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah cover) GINASFS Saturday features Sisky Business

Day 2, Maryland Heights:

What A Time To Be Alive Of All The Gin Joints In All The World

Day 3, Bonner Springs:

I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me & You) Sophomore Slump Or Comeback Of The Year Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over

Day 4, The Woodlands:

Somebody To Love (Queen cover)/Take On Me (A-Ha cover) Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years)

Day 5, Dallas:

What A Catch, Donnie (After) Life Of The Party

Day 6, Phoenix:

Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia) Homesick At Space Camp Hum Hallelujah after, but not replacing, The Take Over, The Breaks Over

Day 7, Chula Vista:

Nothing compares 2 U (Prince cover) (Coffee's For Closers) Saturday features Mikey Way

Day 8, Los Angeles night 1:

Mr. Blue Sky (Electric Light Orchestra cover)/Golden G.I.N.A.S.F.S./America's Suitehearts

Day 9, Los Angeles night 2:

Every Breath You Take (The Police cover)/I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears And None On My Fingers (After) Life Of The Party/Bang The Doldrums Homesick At Space Camp replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago Sophomore Slump Or Comeback Of The Year (ft. William Beckett) replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over Hum Hallelujah after this slot Saturday features Sisky Business

Day 10, Mountain View:

Allison (Elvis Costello cover) The Patron Saint Of Liars And Fakes

Day 11, Salt Lake City:

What A Time To Be Alive/Hold The Line (Toto cover) The Kids Aren't Alright

Day 12, Englewood:

Goin' North (David Stump cover, acoustic guitar)/Golden Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner Bang The Doldrums replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over

Day 13, Rogers:

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love And Understanding(Elvis Costello cover, acoustic guitar)/What a Catch Donnie I Slept With Somebody In Fall Out Boy And All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me

Day 14, Sommerset:

(No medley because of the thunderstorm) Fame \< Infamy Setlist shortened, eliminating: A Little Less Sixteen Candles A Little More Touch Me, Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Calm Before The Storm, Disloyal Order Of Water Buffaloes, The Take Over The Breaks Over which gets replaced by Thnks Fr Th Mmrs, and the entire piano section (Medley w/Don't Stop Believin', Last Of The Real Ones, Save Rock And Roll and Baby Annihilation/Magic Trick w/ Crazy Train)

Day 15, Cincinatti:

What A Catch Donnie/Golden Favorite Record Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over

Day 16, Noblesville:

What A Time To Be Alive/Golden Where Did The Party Go Homesick At Space Camp replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Bang The Doldrums replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over

Day 17, Cuyahoga Falls:

Hallelujah(Leonard Cohen cover)/I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me & You) 27

Day 18, Bristow:

Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner (Full, Acoustic Guitar) She's My Winona Bang The Doldrums replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over, 27 replaces Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet

Day 19, Charlotte:

Lean On Me (cover)/What A Catch Donnie Dead On Arrival Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over Tosh Peterson on drums for all songs

Day 20, Virginia Beach:

What A Time To Be Alive/Golden 7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen) (Patrick on drums) Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over Tosh Peterson on drums for all songs except 7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen)

Day 21, West Palm Beach:

Dancing Queen (ABBA cover)/Golden Tell That Mick He Just Made My List Of Things To Do Today Bang The Doldrums replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over

Day 22, Tampa:

What A Catch Donnie/Golden Miss Missing You Dead On Arrival replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over

Day 23, Atlanta:

Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince Cover)/I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears And None On My Fingers From Now On We're Enemies Bang The Doldrums replaces The Take Over The Breaks Over

Day 24, Clarkston:

What A Time To Be Alive/Golden Don't You Know Who I Think I Am? Chicago Is So Two Years Ago features William Beckett Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over Coffee Mug (Descendents cover) before Hold Me Like A Grudge

Day 25, Toronto:

What A Time To Be Alive/Golden West Coast Smoker/G.I.N.A.S.F.S. Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

Day 26, Queens:

What A Catch Donnie/Just One Yesterday I Am My Own Muse/27 Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Heroes cover features Travie Mccoy)/Cupid's Chokehold (Breakfast In America) (Gym Class Heroes cover features Travie Mccoy) replace Don't Stop Believin' (Patrick on piano, featuring all of the band), 7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen) replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over, Enter Sandman (Metallica cover, partial) replaces Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne cover, partial) Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

Day 27, Boston:

W.A.M.S. XO/G.I.N.A.S.F.S. Shipping Up to Boston before Bang The Doldrums which replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over, Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond cover) replaces Don't Stop Believin', Enter Sandman replaces Crazy Train Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

Day 28, Darien Center:

Get Busy Living Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part To Save The Scene And Stop Going To Shows) (Acoustic guitar)/Golden You're Crashing But You're No Wave/27 Enter Sandman replaces Crazy Train Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

Day 29, Holmdel:

I've Got A Dark Alley And A Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song)/What A Catch Donnie Bob Dylan/I Am My Own Muse Dead On Arrival replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Bang The Doldrums replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over, Enter Sandman replaces Crazy Train Saturday features Games We Play on bass Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

Day 30, Camden:

Jet Pack Blues/I've Got A Dark Alley And A Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song)/Golden Pavlove/27/G.I.N.A.S.F.S. Dead On Arrival (ft. Royal & The Serpent) replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over, Enter Sandman replaces Crazy Train Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set Gabe Saporta was meant to perform at some point of this set, his flight got cancelled

Day 31, Summer Sonic festival ,Tokyo:

Pseudo IOH slot of doom - 8 Ball (tourdust debuts): Thriller/Immortals Significantly different setlist than the NA tourdust No medley

Day 32, Summer Sonic festival, Osaka:

Pseudo 8 Ball: Immortals Fake Out replaces Thriller from the Tokyo setlist Significantly different setlist than the NA tourdust No medley

Day 33, FanFest, Philadelphia:

Pseudo 8 Ball: I Don't Care Significantly different setlist from the others, due to it being a sports event and not an official tour date. Saturday not planned, added while they were already onstage (this and the pseudo 8 ball what elevated this performance into day 33)

Honorable Mentions:

VMAs pretaped performance of We Didn't Start The Fire iHeartRadio performance, significantly different setlist, technically the WDSTF live debut.

Day 34, Warsaw:

Golden Bang The Doldrums Dead On Arrival replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

Day 35, Prague:

I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me & You) G.I.N.A.S.F.S. Dead On Arrival replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Hum Hallelujah replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

Day 36, Milan:

What a Catch Donnie I Am My Own Muse Dead On Arrival replaces Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, G.I.N.A.S.F.S. replaces The Take Over, The Breaks Over Last Of The Real Ones eliminated from the set

[preludetoselfdestruction]

Prelude to self-destruction Chapter one

The parents

1967.... My parents were a couple of West Virginia hillbillies that fell in love and moved to Miami when I was three months old. My father an average hard working man. He worked hard to provide a modest home. He was the classic leave it to beaver type famly man but the hillbillie version with old fashion morals. A women stays home to make babies and has dinner on the table at 6pm. She does all the housework and picks up behind him. His ways, i think we're more of a 50's era way of life, not the 60's. A loving father who was consistent and dedicated to his family. One of the best fathers a kid could have. He made $2.60 an hour, and that was enough in 67 to purchase a modest home with a swimming pool and enjoy the Florida lifestyle. He was very much in love and happy.

My mother also a hillbillie from West Virgin had been born with a face that let her get away with anything. The complete package of stunning beauty and brains. The only thing holding her back was where she was born.

The move to Miami provided countless opportunities for both of them. Have you ever heard the saying you can bring a city girl to the country but you can't bring a country girl to the city? That was nothing but fact. It didn't take long for the big city of Miami to seep in. She had her second child and stay at home beauty was getting resless. The marriage started seeing stress, and arguing was common when dad got home. She wanted a job, and of course, dad wanted her home. She always had a way of getting her way. She was pregnant with my sister at this time and was growing more anxious. I dont know the story of why and i can't ask her now. she picked real-estate school. The 3rd child was born shortly before obtaining her real estate license. She went to work, and almost overnight, we went from modest income family to her getting as much as 20k in commissions a month. In the late 60s, that was a considerable amount of money. For a woman from West Virginia or anybody for that matter. She was at the top winning awards for best saleswoman. Along with the most commissions. I've overheard people at dinner parties say she could sell you a bag of sand while standing on the beach. She was brokering some of the most expensive properties in Miami beach to the elite wealthy from all over the U.S.

One of those Miami Beach homes sold to an organized crime family, and she made friends. The lavish parties became more frequently along with the arguments. My parents sold the modest home, and we moved into a million dollar 20 acre ranch in West Palm Beach. The elite, wealthy, hot spot had just started to get hot. She was now brokering lavish homes in both Miami and West Palm. This is where divorce is imminent I think as she traveled between cities not coming home. The arguments were loud and became violent. Eventually, both parents were not around much, and anytime we were all together, the violence would be bad. It was always my father leaving with various wounds and blood all over him. I would see my mother the next morning seemingly unphased. This went on for years. I wouldn't see my mother for a week or more at a time. I started seeing my mother with different men if she was even around. We spent most of our time with the live-in sitter. It had been a week or more since I'd seen her this time. My mother arrived home late in the evening with a man in tow dressed in a business suit, She introduced him asher lawyer to the sitter. She had filed for divorce on grounds of child abuse. She accused my father of molesting his own children. This could not be farther from the truth. He was devastated and not allowed to see his children and shamed on a complete lie. When I saw him, he was completely destroyed emotionally. As I got older, I despised her for that, but I had despised her for a lot of other things already.

I remember this night like it was yesterday eched in my memory forever. My mother had called him to the house for a talk, something about the divorce papers. A little while after my father arrived, the screaming and sounds of things in the house crashed into the walls and the floor just liike it had many times before.

I watched 3 men walk into the house and go straight to the kitchen. These were the same men i had seen at her office and separately for a long time now. I heard multiple voices now screaming in the kitchen, and it scared the shit out of me and ran back to my room to hide. Under my table at the window. I heard yelling and the big double front door open and slam against the wall. This shook everything in my room. My wall separates the living room. I hid under my table at the window and watched the 3 men drag my father into the front yard. I watched helplessly as three large men took turns beating my father. My father was a small man 5' 9" and 155 lbs. They took breaks only to yell at him and continue beating him. This went on quite a while, and i did not think this then as a child, but now remembering the ranch with its mile long driveway to the house. Nobody would hear anything in the front yard of this home. It was completely seclued and far away from the main road. As the men continued, the police arrived, and I was excited to see them. I remember feeling relieved, but the men kept beating on my father as they walked over to him, and they joined in beating him too. I can't remember feeling anything but complete sadness and horror at that moment and watched as they put my fathers lifeless body in the trunk of the police car.

To this day, I have only seen violent beatings like my father's received in movies. I didn't see my father again for a long time, thinking he was dead. My father and I only talked about this one time about 25 years ago. He did tell me it was my mothers doing which i knew already, and one of the thugs was her boyfriend at the time. He had been taken to an airport hanger, cleaned up, told him he would die if he came back handed a small amount of cash and put on a plane to Texas.

We didn't stay long in West Palm, moved to California. There were always a lot of drugs in the house. Hundreds of pounds of weed and several kilos of coke with giant bags of pills are always in the house. I know now the bags were Quyludes and amphetamine. There were a lot of violent arguments between my mother and whatever man was in the house. Large parties and fights. The fights would get quite violent. Only this time, my mother was the one bleeding and bruised. Sometimes police would arrive walking through the house with drugs everywhere you looked, but they never said a thing about them, it was like they were invisible and nobody ever went to jail. We had gone from Miami to California and had added another home in Daytona Beach in this cycle of chaos. While in California, my mother would go missing for weeks at a time. I shoplifted food to keep us fed. I received a call one night, and nobody said a word. It was just the sounds of my mother pleading for her life and getting a beating. That is a wonderful thing to hear as a child. I know it was purposely done. The reason i never knew. We stopped traveling and stayed in the Daytona home, mostly with the live-in sitter. The Daytona home was not as big or nice as the others. I believe this home was purchased by my mother and the others owned by the men she dated and those relationships were over. This is when i assume she was trying to get out of the drug dealing business. There were large quantities of drugs in the house but nothing like before.

This is where the smelly house guests would pop in from time to time to put me to sleep. I only woke up one time to what they were doing to me, and it's so horrifying that i don't talk about it, at least not in this chapter. My mother was rarely around, and sometimes we were left alone for a long period of time on our own but mostly with the sitter. The smelly house guest stopped drugging me, and my sister had taken my place. I suppose I had grown into something that these sick fucks didn't want. My brother was lucky and was spared any of the weirdness my sister and I endured. My sister, these days is way out of space, so i know it's done a number on her like it has me. She lives in a noisy place in her own mind to quite the demons. I dont know why, but I think it was just timing. My sister was the age they wanted and left my brother alone as far as I know. He could have blocked it out in a trauma response, though.My sister and I would talk of the abuse with my brother, and he remembers nothing. It was almost as if his mind from a certain period in time had been erased. I wish I'd had that superpower. With attention off of me, i just continued to numb myself with the vast amount of free drugs in the house and stayed in my room watching tv. At one point, I was 11 years old, consuming an 8 ball a day or more, I know now. My mother kept a fireproof box on a ledge inside the fireplace at the house in Daytona beach. There was always a few kilos in it in one big chunk.

I would help mysef to whatever I wanted and go back to my room. One night playing rough I knocked the couch on its side in the living room. That's where i found a paper grocery sack full to the top of $100 dollar bills. To this day I dont know how much that would be but I had grabbed several stacks and hit the streets of Daytona having fun. A 12 year olds dream come true I bought anything and everything at any place that was open. I couldn't spend it all and came home that night with a lot of $100 dollar bills in my pocket. A few days later I came in the ftont door and found my mom in a pool of blood. Not knowing what happened and immediately concered about the money I took I tried to put what was left back, it wasn't there. I assume I was responsible for her beating. A few days later I'm on a plane to go live with my father. Something that saved my life.

[ivankahasbeentreatedsounfairly]

By Danielle Kaye

Michael S. Jeffries, the former longtime chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch, was arrested Tuesday in connection with a federal sex-trafficking and interstate prostitution case.

Mr. Jeffries, who ran the clothing retailer from 1992 to 2014, faces charges related to sex trafficking, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said. The charges come a year after a BBC investigation and a class-action lawsuit accused Mr. Jeffries of using the prospect of modeling jobs at Abercrombie to lure young men to events around the world where they were sexually exploited.

Mr. Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith, were arrested in Florida on Tuesday morning and are expected to appear in federal court in West Palm Beach later in the day, said John Marzulli, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York. A third person, James Jacobson, was also arrested on Tuesday, in Wisconsin, in connection with the case and will appear in federal court in St. Paul, Minn., Mr. Marzulli said.

The prosecutor’s office, the F.B.I. and the New York Police Department are expected to disclose more information about the case during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed last year also accused Abercrombie of being complicit in the sex-trafficking scheme. The company, according to the suit, ignored the allegations made against Mr. Jeffries. An Abercrombie spokeswoman declined to comment on Mr. Jeffries’s arrest or the lawsuit against the retailer.

Abercrombie said previously that the company was “appalled and disgusted” by the allegations against its former chief. The retailer hired an outside law firm last year to investigate the accusations.

Brian Bieber, a lawyer for Mr. Jeffries, declined to comment on the sex trafficking-related charges, but he said Mr. Jeffries’s legal team intended to “respond in detail to the allegations” in court “when appropriate.”

Brittany Henderson, a partner at the law firm representing plaintiffs in the class action suit against Abercrombie and Mr. Jeffries, said the arrests were “monumental for the aspiring male models who were victimized by these individuals.”

“Their fight for justice does not end here,” Ms. Henderson said. “Our clients look forward to holding Abercrombie and Fitch liable for facilitating this terrible conduct and ensuring that this cannot happen again.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/business/mike-jeffries-arrested-sex-trafficking-abercrombie.html

[doaneanddoanepa]

Understanding the Role of a Wills and Trusts

Planning for the future, especially in terms of how your assets will be distributed and managed after your death, is crucial for ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are taken care of. This is where wills and trusts come into play. However, creating and managing these legal documents can be complex and requires professional guidance. This is where a wills and trusts lawyer becomes essential. In West Palm Beach, Florida, Doane and Doane is a premier law firm specializing in this area, offering expert services to help you navigate the intricacies of estate planning. In this blog, we’ll explore the pivotal role of a wills and trusts law firm and how Doane and Doane can assist you in securing your estate’s future.

The Importance of Wills and Trusts

Wills and trusts are fundamental tools in estate planning. They serve to manage and distribute your assets according to your wishes and can help avoid potential disputes among heirs. While both documents serve similar purposes, they operate differently and offer distinct benefits:

Wills: A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed upon your death. It also designates guardians for minor children and appoints an executor to manage your estate. Wills must go through probate, a legal process where a court validates the will and oversees the distribution of assets.

Trusts: A trust is a legal arrangement where one party (the trustee) holds and manages assets on behalf of another party (the beneficiary). Trusts can be established during your lifetime (living trusts) or upon your death (testamentary trusts). Unlike wills, trusts typically avoid probate, allowing for quicker and more private distribution of assets.

Why You Need a Wills and Trusts Lawyer

Expertise in Estate Planning

Estate planning involves more than just drafting a will or trust; it requires a deep understanding of legal requirements and implications. A wills and trusts lawyer has specialized knowledge in this area, ensuring that your documents are legally sound and tailored to your specific needs. They can help you navigate complex legal language and ensure that your wishes are clearly articulated and enforceable.

Customized Solutions

Every individual’s estate planning needs are unique. A wills and trusts lawyer works with you to develop a customized estate plan that aligns with your goals and circumstances. Whether you have a straightforward estate or a more complex situation involving significant assets, business interests, or blended families, a lawyer can create a tailored strategy that addresses your specific requirements.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Estate planning is fraught with potential pitfalls, such as drafting errors, outdated provisions, or failing to account for changes in your life circumstances. A skilled wills and trusts lawyer can help you avoid these common mistakes by providing expert advice and ensuring that your documents are up-to-date and reflective of your current wishes.

Minimizing Taxes and Costs

Effective estate planning can help minimize estate taxes and administrative costs, preserving more of your assets for your beneficiaries. A wills and trusts lawyer can advise you on strategies to reduce tax liabilities, such as charitable giving or setting up tax-efficient trusts. They can also help you understand the potential costs associated with probate and how to structure your estate to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Ensuring Proper Execution and Administration

Once your wills and trusts documents are prepared, they must be properly executed and administered. This includes signing and notarizing documents and, in the case of trusts, transferring assets into the trust. A lawyer ensures that all legal formalities are followed and that your estate plan is implemented correctly.

Handling Disputes and Challenges

Unfortunately, estate plans can sometimes lead to disputes among family members or beneficiaries. A wills and trusts lawyer can provide representation and guidance in resolving conflicts and addressing any legal challenges that arise. Their expertise can help navigate the complexities of estate litigation and work towards a fair resolution.

The Role of Doane and Doane in West Palm Beach, Florida

For residents of West Palm Beach, Florida, Doane and Doane is a distinguished law firm specializing in wills and trusts. Their comprehensive services and client-focused approach make them a valuable partner in estate planning. Here’s why Doane and Doane stands out:

Local Expertise

As a West Palm Beach-based firm, Doane and Doane possesses extensive knowledge of Florida’s estate planning laws and regulations. They understand the nuances of state-specific legal requirements and can provide guidance that is tailored to local practices.

Personalized Estate Planning

Doane and Doane is committed to providing personalized service to each client. They take the time to understand your individual needs and goals, working closely with you to develop an estate plan that meets your specific objectives. Their approach ensures that your estate plan is not only legally sound but also aligned with your personal wishes.

Comprehensive Services

Doane and Doane offers a wide range of services related to wills and trusts, including drafting and reviewing documents, establishing trusts, and providing ongoing estate planning advice. Their comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of your estate planning needs are addressed, from the initial creation of documents to the administration of trusts.

Professionalism and Expertise

With a team of experienced wills and trusts lawyers, Doane and Doane brings a high level of professionalism and expertise to their practice. Their in-depth knowledge of estate planning law and their commitment to client satisfaction make them a trusted choice for handling your estate planning matters.

Focus on Client Care

At Doane and Doane, client care is a top priority. They provide clear communication and support throughout the estate planning process, ensuring that you are informed and comfortable with each step. Their client-centered approach fosters trust and confidence, making the estate planning process more manageable and less stressful.

Conclusion

The role of a wills and trusts law firm is crucial in ensuring that your estate planning needs are met with expertise and precision. Whether you’re creating a will, establishing a trust, or navigating the complexities of estate administration, a skilled wills and trusts lawyer provides invaluable guidance and support. For residents of West Palm Beach, Florida, Doane and Doane offers exceptional legal services in this area, combining local expertise with a client-focused approach. By working with Doane and Doane, you can secure your estate’s future with confidence, knowing that your wishes will be honored and your loved ones will be taken care of.

[brookston]

Holidays 4.28

Holidays

Astronomy Day

Biological Clock Day

Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day

Chicken Tickling Day

Clean Comedy Day

Cubicle Day

Day for Safety and Health at Work (Poland)

Day of Dialogue

Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, Day 1 (US)

Eat Your Friends Day

Ed Balls Day (UK)

Flag Day (Åland Islands)

Flat White Day

Food Pyramid Day

428 Day

Global Pay It Forward Day

Gone-ta-Pott Day [every 28th]

Great Poetry Reading Day

Hyacinth Day (French Republic)

International Astronomy Day

International Automation Professionals Day

International Consanguinamory Day

International Girls in Information and Telecommunication Technologies Day

Jester’s Day (Elder Scrolls)

Kenneth Kaunda Day (Zambia)

Kiss Your Mate Day

Lawyers’ Day (India)

Mujahideen Victory Day (Afghanistan)

Mutiny On the Bounty Day

National Anger Day (UK)

National BSL Day (UK)

National Brave Hearts Day

National Cubicle Day

National Day of Mourning (Canada)

National Franklin Day

National Great Poetry Reading Day

National Headshot Day

National Heroes’ Day (Barbados)

National Kiss Your Mate Day

National Poetry and Literature Day (Indonesia)

National “Say Hi to Joe” Day

National Suck Breast Day

National Superhero Day

National Teach Children to Save Day

National Willy Fog Day (UK)

National Workplace Wellbeing Day (Ireland)

Occupational Safety & Health Day

Pastele Blajinilor (Memory or Parent's Day; Moldova)

Restoration of Sovereignty Day (Japan)

Rip Cord Day

Saint Pierre-Chanel Day (Wallis and Futuna)

Santa Fe Trail Day

Sardinia Day (Italy)

Small Car Day

Steel Safety Day

Texas Wildflower Day

Turkmen Racing Horse Festival (Turkmenistan)

Victory Day (Afghanistan)

Workers’ Memorial Day (Gibraltar)

World Art Deco Day

World Day for Safety and Health at Work (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Blueberry Pie Day

4th & Last Sunday in April

Blue Sunday [Last Sunday]

Brasseries Portes Ouvertes (Open Breweries' Day; Belgium) [Last Sunday]

Dictionary Day [Sunday of Nat’l Library Week]

Divine Mercy Sunday [Last Sunday]

Drive It Day (UK) [4th Sunday]

Family Reading Week begins [Sunday before 1st Saturday in May]

International Search and Rescue Dog Day [Last Sunday]

International Twin Cities Day [Last Sunday]

Landsgemeinde (Switzerland) [Last Sunday]

Mother, Father Deaf Day [Last Sunday]

Music Minister Appreciation Day [Last Sunday]

National Blue Sunday and Day of Prayer for Abused Children [Last Sunday]

National Pet Parents Day [Last Sunday]

Pinhole Photography Day [Last Sunday]

Sunday of the Paralytic [Last Sunday]

Turkmen Racing Horse Festival (Turkmenistan) [Last Sunday]

World Day of Marriage [Last Sunday]

World Nyckelharpa Day [Last Sunday]

Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day [Last Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 28 (Last Week)

Go Diaper Free Week (thru 5.4) [From Last Sunday]

National Auctioneers Week (thru 5.4)

National Small Business Week (thru 5.4) [1st Week of May]

Preservation Week (thru 5.4)

Stewardship Week (thru 5.5) [Last Sunday to 1st Sunday]

Independence & Related Days

Maryland Statehood Day (#7; 1788)

Restoration of Sovereignty Day (Japan)

Festivals Beginning April 28, 2024

Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina)

The Good Food Awards (Portland, Oregon)

Heritage Fire (Atlanta, Georgia)

St. Thomas Carnival (Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands) [thru 5.5]

Sweet Corn Fiesta (West Palm Beach, Florida)

Taste of St. Augustine (St. Augustine, Florida)

Turkmen Racing Horse Festival (Turkmenistan) [Last Sunday]

Feast Days

Aphrodisius and companions (Christian; Saint)

Blueberry Pie Day (Pastafarian)

Chicken Tickling Day (Leprechauns; Shamanism)

Cronan of Roscrea, Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Cyril of Turov (Christian; Saint)

Didymus and Theodore (Christian; Martyrs)

Elmo’s Jacket (Muppetism)

Feast of Jamál (Beauty; Baha'i)

Floralia (Old Roman Goddess of Flowers)

Gianna Beretta Molla (Christian; Saint)

Harper Lee (Writerism)

José Malhoa (Artology)

Kirill of Turov (Orthodox, added to Roman Martyrology in 1969)

L’Africaine (The African Woman), by Giacomo Meyerbeer (Opera; 1865)

Louis Mary de Montfort (Christian; Saint)

Palmer Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Pamphilus of Sulmona (Christian; Saint)

Patricius, Bishop of Pruse, in Bithynia (Christian; Saint)

Paul of the Cross (Christian; Saint)

Peter Chanel (Christian; Martyr)

Phocion (Positivist; Saint)

Pollio and others (Christian; Martyrs in Pannonia)

Terry Pratchett (Writerism)

Theodora and Didymus (Christian; Martyrs)

Vitalis and Valeria of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Walpurgisnacht, Day VI (Pagan)

Yom HaShoah (began last night; Judaism)

Yves Klein (Artology)

Orthodox Christian Liturgical Calendar Holidays

Palm Sunday

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [17 of 53]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 20 of 60)

Premieres

Akeelah and the Beer (Film; 2006)

The Art of Excellence, by Tony Bennett (Album; 1987) [1st CD-only Release]

Bananas (Film; 1971)

Before These Crowded Street, by Crowded House (Album; 1998)

The Birth of Britain, by Winston Churchill (History Book; 1956)

Bridesmaids (Film; 2011)

Buck and the Preacher (Film; 1972)

Casino Royale (Film; 1967) [James Bond non-series film]

Chicago Transit Authority, by Chicago (Album; 1969)

The Death of the Heart, by Elizabeth Bowen (Novel; 1938)

FM (Film; 1978)

Frequency (Film; 2000)

Hair (Broadway Musical; 1968)

Hard Candy (Film; 2006)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Film; 2005)

The Hockey Champ (Disney Cartoon; 1939)

A Hound for Trouble (WB MM Cartoon; 1951)

How to Be a Latin Lover (Film; 2017)

I Kissed a Girl, by Katy Perry (Song; 2008)

I’m the One, by DJ Khaled (Album; 2017)

Iron Man 2 (Film; 2010)

Kiss Me Deadly (Film; 1955)

Leave Well Enough Alone (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1939)

Love Me, Love My Mouse (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1966)

Loverboy (Film; 1989)

Mighty Mouse Meets Jekyll and Hyde Cat (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1944)

Mud Squad (Tijuana Toads Cartoon; 1971)s

Night (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Odd Ant Out (Ant and the Aardvark Cartoon; 1970)

A Painted House, by John Grisham (Novel; 2001)

Passport to Pimlico (Film; 1949)

Pennsylvania 6-5000, recorded by Glenn Miller (Song; 1940)

Polite Society (Film; 2023)

The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale (Book; 1954)

The Prison Panic (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

Problem, by Ariana Grande (Song; 2014)

Robinson Crusoe (WB LT Cartoon; 1956)

The Secret of the Old Clock, by Carolyn Keene (Mystery Novel; 1930) [1st Nancy Drew]

*61 (Film; 2001)

Slave to Love, by Bryan Ferry (Song; 1985)

Smoked Hams (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1947)

Starman, by David Bowie (Song; 1972)

Stick It (Film; 2006)

Suddenly It’s Spring (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1944)

Suffragette City, by David Bowie (Song; 1972)

Trailer Horn (Disney Cartoon; 1950)

Viva Las Vegas, by Elvis Presley (Song; 1964)

Today’s Name Days

Hugo, Ludwig, Pierre (Austria)

Dada, Ljudevit, Petar (Croatia)

Vlastislav (Czech Republic)

Vitalis (Denmark)

Lagle, Luige (Estonia)

Ilpo, Ilppo, Tuure (Finland)

Valérie (France)

Hugo, Ludwig, Pierre (Germany)

Valéria (Hungary)

Manilio, Pietro, Valeria (Italy)

Gundega, Gunta, Terēze (Latvia)

Rimgailė, Valerija, Vitalius, Vygantas (Lithuania)

Vivi, Vivian (Norway)

Arystarch, Maria, Paweł, Przybyczest, Waleria, Witalis (Poland)

Iason, Sosipatru (Romania)

Tamara (Russia)

Jarmila (Slovakia)

Luis, Pedro, Prudencio (Spain)

Ture, Tyra (Sweden)

Valeria, Valerian, Valerie, Valery (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 119 of 2024; 247 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 17 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 15 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 20 (Ren-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 20 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 19 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 29 Cyan; Eightday [29 of 30]

Julian: 15 April 2024

Moon: 79%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 7 Caesar (5th Month) [Themistocles]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 41 of 92)

Week: 4th Week of April / 1st Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 9 of 31)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.28

Holidays

Astronomy Day

Biological Clock Day

Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day

Chicken Tickling Day

Clean Comedy Day

Cubicle Day

Day for Safety and Health at Work (Poland)

Day of Dialogue

Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, Day 1 (US)

Eat Your Friends Day

Ed Balls Day (UK)

Flag Day (Åland Islands)

Flat White Day

Food Pyramid Day

428 Day

Global Pay It Forward Day

Gone-ta-Pott Day [every 28th]

Great Poetry Reading Day

Hyacinth Day (French Republic)

International Astronomy Day

International Automation Professionals Day

International Consanguinamory Day

International Girls in Information and Telecommunication Technologies Day

Jester’s Day (Elder Scrolls)

Kenneth Kaunda Day (Zambia)

Kiss Your Mate Day

Lawyers’ Day (India)

Mujahideen Victory Day (Afghanistan)

Mutiny On the Bounty Day

National Anger Day (UK)

National BSL Day (UK)

National Brave Hearts Day

National Cubicle Day

National Day of Mourning (Canada)

National Franklin Day

National Great Poetry Reading Day

National Headshot Day

National Heroes’ Day (Barbados)

National Kiss Your Mate Day

National Poetry and Literature Day (Indonesia)

National “Say Hi to Joe” Day

National Suck Breast Day

National Superhero Day

National Teach Children to Save Day

National Willy Fog Day (UK)

National Workplace Wellbeing Day (Ireland)

Occupational Safety & Health Day

Pastele Blajinilor (Memory or Parent's Day; Moldova)

Restoration of Sovereignty Day (Japan)

Rip Cord Day

Saint Pierre-Chanel Day (Wallis and Futuna)

Santa Fe Trail Day

Sardinia Day (Italy)

Small Car Day

Steel Safety Day

Texas Wildflower Day

Turkmen Racing Horse Festival (Turkmenistan)

Victory Day (Afghanistan)

Workers’ Memorial Day (Gibraltar)

World Art Deco Day

World Day for Safety and Health at Work (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Blueberry Pie Day

4th & Last Sunday in April

Blue Sunday [Last Sunday]

Brasseries Portes Ouvertes (Open Breweries' Day; Belgium) [Last Sunday]

Dictionary Day [Sunday of Nat’l Library Week]

Divine Mercy Sunday [Last Sunday]

Drive It Day (UK) [4th Sunday]

Family Reading Week begins [Sunday before 1st Saturday in May]

International Search and Rescue Dog Day [Last Sunday]

International Twin Cities Day [Last Sunday]

Landsgemeinde (Switzerland) [Last Sunday]

Mother, Father Deaf Day [Last Sunday]

Music Minister Appreciation Day [Last Sunday]

National Blue Sunday and Day of Prayer for Abused Children [Last Sunday]

National Pet Parents Day [Last Sunday]

Pinhole Photography Day [Last Sunday]

Sunday of the Paralytic [Last Sunday]

Turkmen Racing Horse Festival (Turkmenistan) [Last Sunday]

World Day of Marriage [Last Sunday]

World Nyckelharpa Day [Last Sunday]

Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day [Last Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 28 (Last Week)

Go Diaper Free Week (thru 5.4) [From Last Sunday]

National Auctioneers Week (thru 5.4)

National Small Business Week (thru 5.4) [1st Week of May]

Preservation Week (thru 5.4)

Stewardship Week (thru 5.5) [Last Sunday to 1st Sunday]

Independence & Related Days

Maryland Statehood Day (#7; 1788)

Restoration of Sovereignty Day (Japan)

Festivals Beginning April 28, 2024

Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina)

The Good Food Awards (Portland, Oregon)

Heritage Fire (Atlanta, Georgia)

St. Thomas Carnival (Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands) [thru 5.5]

Sweet Corn Fiesta (West Palm Beach, Florida)

Taste of St. Augustine (St. Augustine, Florida)

Turkmen Racing Horse Festival (Turkmenistan) [Last Sunday]

Feast Days

Aphrodisius and companions (Christian; Saint)

Blueberry Pie Day (Pastafarian)

Chicken Tickling Day (Leprechauns; Shamanism)

Cronan of Roscrea, Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Cyril of Turov (Christian; Saint)

Didymus and Theodore (Christian; Martyrs)

Elmo’s Jacket (Muppetism)

Feast of Jamál (Beauty; Baha'i)

Floralia (Old Roman Goddess of Flowers)

Gianna Beretta Molla (Christian; Saint)

Harper Lee (Writerism)

José Malhoa (Artology)

Kirill of Turov (Orthodox, added to Roman Martyrology in 1969)

L’Africaine (The African Woman), by Giacomo Meyerbeer (Opera; 1865)

Louis Mary de Montfort (Christian; Saint)

Palmer Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Pamphilus of Sulmona (Christian; Saint)

Patricius, Bishop of Pruse, in Bithynia (Christian; Saint)

Paul of the Cross (Christian; Saint)

Peter Chanel (Christian; Martyr)

Phocion (Positivist; Saint)

Pollio and others (Christian; Martyrs in Pannonia)

Terry Pratchett (Writerism)

Theodora and Didymus (Christian; Martyrs)

Vitalis and Valeria of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Walpurgisnacht, Day VI (Pagan)

Yom HaShoah (began last night; Judaism)

Yves Klein (Artology)

Orthodox Christian Liturgical Calendar Holidays

Palm Sunday

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [17 of 53]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 20 of 60)

Premieres

Akeelah and the Beer (Film; 2006)

The Art of Excellence, by Tony Bennett (Album; 1987) [1st CD-only Release]

Bananas (Film; 1971)

Before These Crowded Street, by Crowded House (Album; 1998)

The Birth of Britain, by Winston Churchill (History Book; 1956)

Bridesmaids (Film; 2011)

Buck and the Preacher (Film; 1972)

Casino Royale (Film; 1967) [James Bond non-series film]

Chicago Transit Authority, by Chicago (Album; 1969)

The Death of the Heart, by Elizabeth Bowen (Novel; 1938)

FM (Film; 1978)

Frequency (Film; 2000)

Hair (Broadway Musical; 1968)

Hard Candy (Film; 2006)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Film; 2005)

The Hockey Champ (Disney Cartoon; 1939)

A Hound for Trouble (WB MM Cartoon; 1951)

How to Be a Latin Lover (Film; 2017)

I Kissed a Girl, by Katy Perry (Song; 2008)

I’m the One, by DJ Khaled (Album; 2017)

Iron Man 2 (Film; 2010)

Kiss Me Deadly (Film; 1955)

Leave Well Enough Alone (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1939)

Love Me, Love My Mouse (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1966)

Loverboy (Film; 1989)

Mighty Mouse Meets Jekyll and Hyde Cat (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1944)

Mud Squad (Tijuana Toads Cartoon; 1971)s

Night (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Odd Ant Out (Ant and the Aardvark Cartoon; 1970)

A Painted House, by John Grisham (Novel; 2001)

Passport to Pimlico (Film; 1949)

Pennsylvania 6-5000, recorded by Glenn Miller (Song; 1940)

Polite Society (Film; 2023)

The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale (Book; 1954)

The Prison Panic (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

Problem, by Ariana Grande (Song; 2014)

Robinson Crusoe (WB LT Cartoon; 1956)

The Secret of the Old Clock, by Carolyn Keene (Mystery Novel; 1930) [1st Nancy Drew]

*61 (Film; 2001)

Slave to Love, by Bryan Ferry (Song; 1985)

Smoked Hams (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1947)

Starman, by David Bowie (Song; 1972)

Stick It (Film; 2006)

Suddenly It’s Spring (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1944)

Suffragette City, by David Bowie (Song; 1972)

Trailer Horn (Disney Cartoon; 1950)

Viva Las Vegas, by Elvis Presley (Song; 1964)

Today’s Name Days

Hugo, Ludwig, Pierre (Austria)

Dada, Ljudevit, Petar (Croatia)

Vlastislav (Czech Republic)

Vitalis (Denmark)

Lagle, Luige (Estonia)

Ilpo, Ilppo, Tuure (Finland)

Valérie (France)

Hugo, Ludwig, Pierre (Germany)

Valéria (Hungary)

Manilio, Pietro, Valeria (Italy)

Gundega, Gunta, Terēze (Latvia)

Rimgailė, Valerija, Vitalius, Vygantas (Lithuania)

Vivi, Vivian (Norway)

Arystarch, Maria, Paweł, Przybyczest, Waleria, Witalis (Poland)

Iason, Sosipatru (Romania)

Tamara (Russia)

Jarmila (Slovakia)

Luis, Pedro, Prudencio (Spain)

Ture, Tyra (Sweden)

Valeria, Valerian, Valerie, Valery (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 119 of 2024; 247 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 17 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 15 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 20 (Ren-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 20 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 19 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 29 Cyan; Eightday [29 of 30]

Julian: 15 April 2024

Moon: 79%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 7 Caesar (5th Month) [Themistocles]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 41 of 92)

Week: 4th Week of April / 1st Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 9 of 31)

[leroylawpa]

Can a Criminal Lawyer Assist in Tax Evasion?

Important Tips: 

Tax evasion is a serious offense with potential criminal penalties. 

A criminal defense lawyer can represent individuals in tax-related legal issues. 

The proper legal counsel can help interpret complex tax laws and present robust defenses. 

Tax evasion can be a daunting accusation to face, and while it primarily deals with the evasion of taxes, it is, in essence, a criminal charge. This means the repercussions go beyond just paying back the owed amount with penalties. It might lead to prison sentences and a criminal record, which can be life-altering. So, can a criminal defense lawyer assist in such cases? Absolutely. 

What is Tax Evasion?  

Tax evasion is the act of not paying taxes owed by employing illegal methods. It isn't just about making an error in your tax calculations; it involves deliberately misrepresenting information to reduce the tax liability. For more context, you can explore this Wikipedia link that explains tax evasion in detail. This deliberate act can include underreporting income, inflating deductions, or hiding money in offshore accounts. 

How Serious are the Penalties?  

Tax evasion is not taken lightly in Florida or at the federal level. Conviction can lead to heavy fines, asset forfeiture, and incarceration. The severity of the penalty often corresponds with the amount of money involved. Furthermore, a criminal record of tax evasion can make future financial and business endeavors more challenging.  

Role of a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Tax Cases  

A criminal defense lawyer's role in tax evasion cases is multifaceted. Firstly, they can represent you in court, ensuring that your rights are protected. They can also assist in plea bargains, potentially reducing charges or penalties. Additionally, they provide advice on the best course of action, whether it's settling with the IRS or challenging the allegations. 

Navigating Complex Tax Laws  

Tax laws are notoriously intricate. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer can interpret these laws, analyze your specific situation, and apply relevant legal precedents. This depth of understanding can be pivotal in challenging the prosecution's case, potentially identifying errors or inconsistencies in the charges. 

Potential Defense Strategies 

Lack of Criminal Intent: Arguing that any discrepancies were unintentional or resulted from genuine errors. 

Inadequate Evidence: The prosecution may not have enough proof to substantiate their claims. 

Statute of Limitations: There may be a time limit after which the prosecution can no longer charge an individual. 

The Difference Between Tax Avoidance and Evasion  

Tax avoidance is legal and involves using the tax system to one's advantage, ensuring all obligations are met while minimizing liabilities. In contrast, tax evasion is illegal. Distinguishing between these two can sometimes become the core defense strategy in many cases. 

Collaborating with Tax Professionals  

While a criminal defense lawyer can address the legal aspects of a tax evasion case, collaborating with tax professionals can provide a comprehensive defense. Accountants and tax advisors can offer clarity on financial records, ensuring all calculations and deductions are accurate. 

Hypothetical Scenario: John's Offshore Accounts  

John, a West Palm Beach resident, held several offshore accounts he failed to declare. When the IRS caught wind of this, they accused him of evading taxes worth $500,000. Hiring a criminal defense attorney, John was able to prove that his failure to report was due to oversight, not criminal intent. With the support of his lawyer, John settled with the IRS, paying the due taxes and penalties but avoiding a prison sentence. 

How LeRoy Law Can Help  

When confronted with tax evasion allegations, it's essential to have a seasoned legal team on your side. At LeRoy Law, we understand the complexities of tax laws and the severe repercussions of tax evasion charges. Josh works tirelessly to build a solid defense, aiming to protect your rights and ensure the best possible outcome. If you're facing tax-related legal challenges, seek assistance from LeRoy Law. 

Key Takeaways 

Tax evasion is a deliberate act with severe penalties. 

Criminal defense lawyers play a pivotal role in tax evasion cases. 

Differentiating between tax avoidance and evasion can be crucial in defense strategies. 

FAQs 

Can tax evasion affect my business? Absolutely. Beyond personal repercussions, your business may face financial penalties, potential audits, and a damaged reputation. 

Is it possible to negotiate with the IRS? Yes. In many cases, especially with proper legal representation, settlements or payment plans can be negotiated. 

What if I genuinely forgot to declare certain income? A defense strategy can focus on the lack of criminal intent, showing that the omission was not deliberate. 

How does the IRS find out about tax evasion? The IRS uses various methods, from whistleblowers to data analysis, to identify potential cases of evasion. 

Can tax evasion charges affect my immigration status? Potentially. Criminal charges, including tax evasion, can impact immigration applications or statuses. 

Disclaimer: LeRoy Law tries to ensure the accuracy of this article. However, Florida Statutes change, case law changes, and as such, errors may occur. LeRoy Law assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in this article. LeRoy Law encourages you to utilize our links to relevant Florida Statutes. Contact my office at [561.290.2730] if you have any questions or require legal assistance. 

[worldofwardcraft]

The price isn't right.

October 9, 2023

Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen (pictured above having the last laugh), warned us about what an unmitigated fraud Trump was when he testified to Congress in February 2019. Trump, he said, grossly overstated his assets when applying for a loan in his failed attempt to buy the NFL's Buffalo Bills in 2014.

Convicted in 2018 of campaign-finance violations and other charges, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison, but was released to home confinement after one year due to the COVID outbreak. However, when he announced his intention to write a tell-all book about how he covered up for Trump's crimes, Trump's subservient Justice Department had him sent back to prison. A court found this move to be so blatantly retaliatory that Cohen served out the rest of his sentence at home.

Last week, in the ongoing New York trial focused on Trump's fraudulent business practices, Cohen was back testifying how he and former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg were tasked with inflating assets to “obtain the number that Mr. Trump wanted.” One of the numbers that most interested Trump was the value of Mar-a-Lago, his tacky, vermin-infested resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump has maintained Mar-a-Lago is worth "over a billion, probably a billion and a half."

But records provided by the Palm Beach County tax assessor reveal that the real value of the property was between $18 million and $26 million during the relevant period. Regardless, Trump recently posted on his failing Truth Social that the value of Mar-A-Lago is “100 times” the $18 million valuation. In other words, $1.8 billion.

In finding Trump committed fraud by illegally inflating property values to obtain bank loans, trial judge Arthur Engoron pointed out,

Donald Trump's statement of financial conditions for 2011-2021 value Mar-a-Lago at between $426,529,614 and $612,110,496, an overvaluation of at least 2,300% compared to the assessor's appraisal.

While appraised value is not the same as market value, Trump's Florida social club couldn't possibly be worth what he claims. And yet it's useful to remember that in 2020 Trump strenuously appealed the county's $26.6 million valuation as being too high. In fact, since the day he acquired it, Trump repeatedly sought the lowest possible valuations of Mar-a-Lago in appraisals.

But to quote Michael Cohen again, "It was my experience that Mr. Trump inflated his total assets when it served his purposes…and deflated his assets to reduce his real estate taxes." In short, Judge Engoron's decision was correct. Trump is a fraud.

[criminalattorneysblog]

A Criminal Lawyer in Florida specializes in providing legal representation and defense for individuals facing criminal charges within the state. With a deep understanding of Florida's criminal laws and court procedures, these legal professionals work diligently to protect their clients' rights and achieve favorable outcomes. Whether it's DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, or theft, a Criminal Lawyer in Florida possesses the expertise to navigate complex legal matters. If you find yourself in a legal predicament, hiring a skilled Criminal Lawyer in Florida is vital to ensure your rights are safeguarded.

[starstruckunknownearthquake]

Real Estate Lawyers West Palm Beach provide legal services to individuals, businesses, and other entities that are involved in real estate transactions. These lawyers can help their clients navigate the complexities of real estate law, which can be challenging to navigate without legal guidance.

[localizee]

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew Glassman is a top-rated criminal attorney serving all of Broward County and West Palm Beach County.

[matthewglassmanfl]

Business Name: Law Office of Matthew Glassman

Street Address 1: 600 Southwest 4th Avenue

Street Address 2: Suite 103

City: Fort Lauderdale

State: Florida (FL)

Zip Code: 33315

Country: United States

Business Phone: (954) 908-3399

Business Email: matt@matthewglassmanlaw.com

Website: https://www.matthewglassmanlaw.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthewglassmanlaw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattGlassman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewglassmanlaw/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/matthewglassmanlaw/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lawofficeofmatthewglassman1168/

Tumblr: https://matthewglassman.tumblr.com/

Business Description: Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew Glassman is a top-rated criminal attorney serving all of Broward County and West Palm Beach County. When you need a skilled and experienced DUI lawyer, domestic violence attorney or drug crime attorney in South Florida call us for a free consultation. With 15 years of criminal law experience in South Florida, criminal defense lawyer Matthew Glassman has defended thousands of cases ranging from DUI/DWI, domestic violence accusations, drug charges, complex white collar crime cases to first degree murder/homicides. If you have been accused or arrested for DUI, domestic violence, drug or weapon charges, assault, theft or homicide call Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer Matthew Glassman now.

Google My Business CID URL: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=12154106346533127303

Business Hours: Sunday Closed Monday 9:00am-5:00pm Tuesday 9:00am-5:00pm Wednesday 9:00am-5:00pm Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday Closed

Payment Methods: Cash, Debit Card, Credit Card, Visa, Master, Amex, Discover

Services: Probation & Sentencing, Stand Your Ground, Domestic Violence, Traffic Court, Firearms & Weapons, DUI Defense, Drug Crimes, Criminal Defense, Criminal record expungements, Domestic violence litigation, Drug possession defense litigation, DUIs & reckless driving defense litigation, Felony defense litigation, General criminal defense litigation, Petty crimes & misdemeanor defense litigation, Sex offense defense litigation, Three-strikes law litigation, Criminal Defense Attorney, DUI Lawyer, Traffic Lawyer, Drug Crimes Attorney, Domestic Violence Lawyer, Firearms & Weapons Lawyer, Constitutional Law, Abuse Of The Elderly, Violation Of Probation, Aggravated Battery, Assault And Battery, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence Allegations, Driving Offenses, Drug Trafficking, Drunk Driving Arrests, Dui Charges, Dui Convictions, Dui Defense, Felony Battery, Lascivious Conduct, Sex Offenses, Theft Charges, Traffic Ticket Attorneys, Traffic Violation Defense, White Collar Crime, 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assaults, Aggravated Stalking, Arrest For Dui, Arson Attorney, Arson Defense, Arson Lawyer, Assault Attorney, Assault Case, Assault Charges, Assault Lawyer, Assault With A Deadly Weapon, Assault With A Firearm, Attempted Homicide, Attempted Murder, Bail Bond Attorney, Bail Bond Court, Bank Robbery, Battery Attorney, Battery Charges, Bodily Harm, Bond Hearings, Capital Offenses, Concealed Firearms, Controlled Substance, Crime Cases, Crime Charge, Crime Offenses, Criminal Attorney Representation, Criminal Charges, Criminal Conduct, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Conviction, Criminal Defense Case, Criminal Defense Laws, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Criminal Defense Practice, Criminal Defense Representation, Criminal History, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Penalties, Criminal Prosecutions, Criminal Traffic Case, Criminal Traffic Lawyer, Criminal Traffic Offense, Criminal Traffic Violations, Criminal Trial, Domestic Battery Cases, Domestic Violence Attorney, Domestic Violence Charges, Domestic Violence Defense, Domestic Violence Injunction, Domestic Violence Law, Driver’s License Suspension, Drug Arrests, Drug Conviction, Drug Court, Drug Crime Attorney In, Drug Dealing, Drug-Related Charges, Dui Attorneys, Dui Law, Elderly Abuse, Elderly Crimes, False Arrest, False Imprisonment, Federal Drug Crimes, Federal Drug Offenses, Felony Cases, Felony Murder, Felony Petit Theft, First Degree Murder, Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense, Free Consultation, Gun Charges, Gun Lawyer, Homicide Defense, Homicide Lawyer, Illegal Searches, Jury Trial, Legal Defenses, Manslaughter Charge, Misdemeanor Offenses, Other Criminal Offense, Palm Beach Dui, Property Charge, Reckless Driving Attorneys, Reckless Driving Lawyer, Repeat Dui Offenses, Retail Theft, Second Degree Murder, Self Defense, Serious Felony Offenses, Serious Traffic Violation, Sexual Battery, Shoplifting Charges, Shoplifting Crimes, Shoplifting Defense Attorney, Simple Assault, Simple Battery, Theft Cases, Theft Crimes Attorney, Theft Crimes Lawyer, Theft-Related Offenses, Traffic Infraction, Traffic Ticket Lawyer, Traffic Violation Charges, Trafficking Charges, Unreasonable Searches, Vehicular Homicide, Violent Felony, Violent Offense, Weapon Charges Attorney, Weapons Law, Weapons Lawyer, Weapons Offenses, Wrongful Convictions

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Business/Company Establishment Date: 01-05-2007

Number of Employees: 2 to 10

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West Palm Beach Business Lawyers | Commercial Litigation Lawyers

West Palm Beach Business Lawyers What is a Business Contract? Contracts between two businesses usually have very different rules than contracts involving a business and a consumer (i.e., seller and buyer) or two individuals. Generally, courts assume that businesses will better understand the law of contracts and apply fewer limitations and protections over how these businesses choose to draft a…

[homebbuyers-blog]

Frenzied Palm Beach Home

Purchase contracts for single-family houses assessed in any event million overwhelmed 306% in March from a year sooner, the best expansion since the pandemic started, appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. likewise, business Douglas Elliman Real Estate said in a report. For apartment suites assessed at any rate million, deals jumped 392%.

Across all worth reaches, single-family contracts were up 202% a month prior to 1,263. Stamped courses of action for condos amounted to 1,608 - a 406% expansion. Premium for homes in the rich locale has endured, featuring a potential long-standing development design, according to Jonathan Miller, head of Miller Samuel. Purchases are heating up even as New Yorkers who got away from the city during the most extremely terrible of the Covid-19 erupt a year prior are starting to plot their return.

"You would calculate the force would ease now, however then it's procedure to accelerate," Miller said in a gathering. That "suggests that this is unquestionably not a fluttering change in conditions. This is undeniably a hidden change." New single-family postings in Palm Beach County fell 27% per month prior from a year sooner, agreeing the report. For apartment suites, the reduction was 17%.

Cash Street firms expecting to misuse a state with no close to home cost have hustled to set up exercises in South Florida, yet an enormous number of the freshest homebuyers may be coming from some spot other than New York: U.S. Postal Service and cell data show essentially somewhat level of Manhattanites who left the locale moved to the Sunshine State.

Just a brief time after lawyer Amy Bahl and her significant other sold their Palm Beach home for $7.3 million, it was back accessible in December for $8.2 million.At that point, the Bahls and their three kids moved to a house they purchased across the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach while they collect another spot on a waterfront bundle in North Palm Beach.

"We'd been examining it for a couple of years, yet this market asked us to go ahead and show it," Bahl said.So goes the Palm Beach real estate market 10 months into a pandemic. While New York's rustic zones, the Hamptons and Aspen all saw arrangements and costs rise a year prior, the activity in Florida's Palm Beach County, from Boca Raton to Jupiter, has been hazardously quick. The particular town of Palm Beach, somewhat of an island that is home to investors and President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, has been ground zero for indisputably the most energized buying.

Cleaned mailers, random sells and texts — if you are a property holder, you've undoubtedly gotten more than one estimating your premium in selling your home amidst what is the most steamy real estate market in more than 10 years. If dealers have been holding down, this is an inconceivable opportunity to misuse, considering the way that the market will not keep going up never-endingly," said Kristina Krykhtin, a Realtor with Signature One Luxury Estates in Boca Raton.