Social Security Changes Coming

I received the following note from a friend who runs AGED, that is Advocates and Guardians for the Elderly and Diabled. They are a stellar organization and provide significant assistance to their clients.   Upcoming Social Security Changes There were many changes made to Social Security which could impact your benefits in 2013. Here are a few that we think are particularly relevant. To view the full list visit Social Security's Announcement on the 2013 changes. Cost of Living Increase Social Security approved a 1.7% cost-of-living (COLA) increase for those receiving monthly Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), beginning December 31, 2012.   For more information about the COLA increase, please visit Social Security's website.    Change in Social Security Credits   As you work and pay taxes, you earn "credits" towards retirement and other benefits. In 2013, the amount of money you have to make to earn one credit increased. Now, it will take $1,160 to earn one credit, an increase of $30 from the previous year. In general, a worker needs approximately 40 credits, or 10 years of work, to be eligible for benefits.   Increase in Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts When individuals receive retirement benefits, but continue to work, there is a limit on what they can earn before they are required to give back some benefits. For 2013, for every $2 in earnings above the new limit of $15,120/year, or $1,260/month, one dollar of benefits will be withheld . It is important to note this only applies until the year the worker reaches full retirement age. For the months up to the month of the birthday, a different formula applies. In 2013, Social Security will hold back $1 in benefits for every $3 that a worker earns above $40,080.   For more information about the changes in the Retirement Earnings Test Exempt amounts, please visit Social Security's website.

For more information you may call me at 407-645-3297, or visit my website at www.aubreylaw.com To contact AGED, visit www.trustaged.org or call AGED at (407) 682-4111.

How much will My divorce Cost?

Great Question! If you go to one paralegal in Central Florida, you will find this price list:

All divorces run between $400-$1200, depending on how many children, the amount of assets to be distributed, the amount of debt to be distributed, and the complexity of the divorce. Our prices are approximately ten percent of what most lawyers will charge for similar type paperwork.

	DIVORCE UNCONTESTED and CONTESTED (both parties making under $50,000 per year):                                                      Visit my Website: www.aubreylaw.com UNC CON - with No Children & No Property $400 $300 - with Property $400 $400 - with Children $500 $500 - with Children & Property $500 $500
	DIVORCE UNCONTESTED and CONTESTED (both or either party making above $50,000 per year): * UNC CON - with No Children & No Property $500 $400 - with Property $500 $500 - with Children $600 $600 - with Children & Property $600 $600 - with Child & Property, both parties making above $50,000 per year with substantial assets and debts $750 $1200
	FILING FEE for Divorce:                                         Visit my website: www.aubreylaw.com - As of January 1, 2006, the filing fee in most Florida counties for Divorce is approximately $408.
	ANSWER for Divorce: - Includes the following documents: Dissolution of Marriage, Financial Affidavit, Notice of Social Security and Parenting Plan when applicable. All of these need to be filed. - Under $50K - $300 / Over $50K - $400
	MODIFICATION of Child Support, Visitation or Paternity (both parties making under $50,000 per year): - Modifications base $400.
	MODIFICATION of Child Support, Visitation or Paternity (either or both party making above $50,000 per year): *                                                                Visit my website: www.aubreylaw.com - Modifications base $500.
	FILING FEE for Modification: As of 2006, $50 in all Florida Counties. Of course the hiring of an attorney can be expensive. But what happens if you spend money for a non-lawyer to prepare your case, and something goes wrong? A Non-Lawyer cannot advise you as to what the court may do, or what your actions may cause. A Non-Lawyer cannot tell you what your spouse's response means. When you need a Divorce, you need an Attorney who can work with you throughout the process to make sure your divorce is completed properly. Call me at 407-645-3297 or visit my website: www.aubreylaw.com

Whose Interests Do You Represent?

As an Attorney, I am required to advance the interests of my client. Sometimes that doesn't appear clear from one perspective or another. Many, MANY times, the opposing party to litigation will try to convince my client that I am in fact NOT advancing their interests, but either I am working against them, or not working at all - claims of Dilly, Dally and Delay P.A.

What are my client's Interests? Perhaps a better description would be, my client hopes, dreams, and desires for their family. What my client wants, as the outcome of litigation is the primary "Interest" I must support. So long as my client is not seeking litigation just to harass the other side, or just to delay the inevitable resolution, I must follow the Client's direction.

A great note on Interests can be found here: http://be-fulfilled.org/post/2012/11/17/Helping-Clients-Understand-Interests.aspx

When you want the advice of an attorney, call me.

Don't be afraid to call; I assure you that many others have been in the same position and needed help. Bo Prosser likes to say the two most basic prayers are Please Help, and Thank you. I like that! Feel free to visit my website at www.aubreylaw.com and send me a message. You will be glad you did! Aubrey

1629 Miles for Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, we drove to Signal Mountain, just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, to spend the holiday with my family. My parents still live on a farm there and my brother and his wife had their second child, a boy, the Thursday before Thanksgiving. I planned to cook the traditional Turkey, dressing and cranberry salad at my mother's then take dinner to my brother and his family in the valley.

Just before we left for the trip, my wife learned of her college roommate's mother's passing in Greenville, Tennessee, about 3 1/2 hours north of Chattanooga. Since we were also planning to drive to Durham, NC for the Duke v. Miami game, we made the detour for the funeral. This meant Four days of driving over a 6 day holiday weekend. We left Florida Tuesday evening and made it almost to Macon, Ga., before spending the night. Waking up in Cordell, we drove most of the morning to reach Tennessee; however, just before leaving Georgia, we stopped for lunch at my sister's house for lunch with her and her 3 wonderful children. Later that afternoon, we finally arrived at my Grandfather's farm on Signal Mountain. The evening centered on making the oyster dressing and cranberry salad with groceries brought from Florida.

Thanksgiving Day, I spent most of the morning walking around the farm after putting the turkey in the oven to roast. Mom, Dad and I surveyed the back fence lines and tried to find one corner so we could put the final fence up between my mom's property and that sold to a new owner. After we ate lunch, my brother finally arrived with his 2 year old son, so Andy and I walked the fence lines again to verify proper markings corresponded to the deeds issued by the probate court. After it got dark, Andy took dinner home to his wife and baby, and we planned to follow to get a look at the newest Ducker. Unfortunately, as we went to get in the car, I realized I did not have my keys. Fearing I had dropped them somewhere over the miles of fence line I had traversed today, all woodsy and briar filled, I was rather apoplectic. Thankfully my wife found the keys right where I had dropped them in our room.

On Friday morning, we left about sunup to drive to Greeneville for the funeral. My wife's college roommate's mother had been living in Greeneville, Tennessee, to be near one daughter who could take care of her to prevent having to go to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Ironically, the funeral occurred at Tusculum Baptist Church, across the street from Tusculum College, one of the schools my 17-year old is considering. We drove around before the funeral taking in the beautiful campus and sports facilities.

I'll have to write more tomorrow! If you need assistance in selecting an attorney in the Central Florida area for a Collaborative Divorce, Elder Law, Family Law, Guardianship or other question, please call me at 407-645-3297 or visit my website at www.aubreylaw.com

Thanks, Aubrey

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year.
During this holiday, I get to remember everything for which I am thankful and find a few moments with family.
On facebook, I have posted daily regarding those things making me thankful not only this month, but throughout the year. My list includes: A roof over my head, my children, my loving wife, my family and of course my church and friends. Beyond these easy items are: Courts that administer Justice in an impartial manner; elections that allow our voice to determine the direction of our country; the Florida Gators, for all the wonderful things done on the field and off; Free Public Education; Collaborative Attorneys, who make the practice of Law meaningful and fulfilling; Roads; cars; particular friends who invest their time in my life daily; those friends and family that keep in touch even though we haven't seen each other in literally years, and of course, all the soldiers, sailors and airmen who defend our lifestyle daily.
At this time of year, I am especially thankful for clients who allow me to assist them at some of the most difficult times in their lives. Without their faith in my abilities as an attorney, without their trust in my counsel, I would be exhausted trying to survive.
Thanks be to God for all the blessings in my life, now and throughout the year.

Mortgage Modification Training

While Hurricane Sandy worked over the East Coast, we spent today with 25 attorneys focused on helping homeowners save their homes through modification of mortgages under HAMP, HAFA, DOJ program, and other bank programs. I am always encouraged when so many people want to learn how to help people.

11 Mediators worked with 13 Debtors' counsel attorney and 3 Creditors Counsel attorneys to practice with Mock Mediations at the end of the day.

Thanks to Tammy, Bob, Laurie, Jo, Liz, Wayne, Stephan and Leanne for working together so well to put this seminar together.

Thanks OCBA for hosting and providing lunch and snacks. Next seminar is scheduled for January 7th in Memphis, Tennessee; hoping to see attorneys from Lousianna, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri and even Alabama!

Mortgage Modification Education is going GREAT!
So is my Collaborative Divorce practice.
Guardianships for both the elderly and disabled, check.
What do I have to do to get you to call me?

Case Law Update 2012

Learning goes on and on and on . . .
Today, I attended the Webinar provided by the Florida Bar on Family Law Issues from cases this year.
Always good to update your knowledge regarding what the courts are doing, and what the appellate courts are saying about what the courts are doing.
In the past year, Grandparents' Rights, Alimony, adultery, Parenting Plans, Timesharing, paternity, domestic violence, Enforcement and Fees were only a few of the issues considered for the courts' action this year.
When you are selecting an attorney to represent your family in court, ask what courses of study have been completed to remain up to date on the law of the state. 
The 5th DCA clarified the Relocation statute as to the 50-mile rule.
The 2nd DCA clarifited allocation of outstanding expenses for child support to the proportion of income of the parties rather than 50/50 as many agree.
The First DCA clarified a "supportive relationship" and whether it would end alimony.
These are but a very few of the 20 pages of cases reviewed. If you have questions of a legal nature call an attorney.
If you have questions regarding Collaborative Divorce, Elder Law, Family Law or Guardianships, Call me! 407-645-3297 or visit my website at www.aubreylaw.com

Someone Owes you MONEY!

Did you bury a computer screen or television between 1999 and 2007?

If you did, you may be eligible for MONEY from a settlement involving some of the major manufacturers and PRICE FIXING!

Consumers of LCD Flat Screen TVs, Monitors and Laptops Can Share in $1.1 Billion Settlement Fund Eligible consumers and businesses in 24 states and the District of Columbia may be able to collect $25, $100, $200 or more by answering a few simple questions about the LCD flat screen TVs, monitors, and laptops they bought from 1999 to 2006. No receipts or other documents are required for small claims. The deadline to file a claim is December 6, 2012. The 24 states are: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Click here for an overview of the Settlements. If you would like to print a Claim Form and mail it in, please click here.

Mortgage Modification Education

If you have a Mortgage, or represent Clients who have mortgages, you should attend the Mortgage Modification Education this Friday at UCF's downtown center. To register, go to: http://www.mortgagemodificationeducation.com/

Or email me at aubreylaw@gmail.com

The cost for attorneys is only $399; for that you will receive 7 hours of CLE including 1 hour of Ethics.