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You remember the old adage - the only things in life that are certain are death and taxes. I assume you pay your taxes every year. But have you addressed the other part of that equation? Or are you one of those people who are putting it off because you don't want to face the certainty of your own mortality? Almost three-quarters of North American adults have not made a Will. That's a frightening statistic, when you consider the consequences of dying intestate (without a Will), and the costs that your loved ones will incur to administer your estate.

There are a few very important legal documents that everyone should prepare to ensure that their wishes are followed and that their loved ones are taken care of. One of these is a Power of Attorney. A Power of Attorney makes sure that your wishes are followed in the here and now, while you’re still alive, but can’t, for some reason, execute them yourself.

Every business needs a mission statement, to serve as a blueprint for business planning and decision-making. A mission statement that clearly states the business’ purpose and goals will inspire your people to pull together as a team to accomplish that purpose, and will give management and stakeholders a means of measuring its success.

Law offices must hold all information respecting client matters in strictest confidence unless disclosure is (i) required by law, (ii) authorized by the client, or (iii) demanded by court order. This restriction extends not only to the lawyers, but to all law students, paralegals, administrators and office staff. Every client has the right to confidentiality, and every lawyer has a duty to ensure it.

Do you know what you need to do to stay safe this winter? The first rule of Winter is, if the weather’s bad, STAY OFF THE ROADS. Stay indoors where it’s warm – don’t put yourself or your family at risk. But if you feel you absolutely must go out there, then follow these simple rules which will increase your chances of getting back home safely and frostbite-free.

The prospect of developing Alzheimer's disease is not a pleasant thing to think about. If you have reason to believe that you or someone else in your family may be showing early warning signs of the onset of Alzheimer's, you should plan ahead. Advance planning makes it possible to deal with business, personal, legal and medical issues at a time when the patient still retains his/her memories and mental acuity.

Declaring personal bankruptcy is a decision that should not be entered into lightly. But if your personal debt far exceeds your ability to repay, then it's an option you must consider. Before you decide to declare bankruptcy, you need to know all the facts.