Cincinnati Law Blog

This Fall, BHMK partner Brett Renzenbrink will join 52 other leaders in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati community in the 40^th class of the Leadership Northern Kentucky.

Revocable trusts offer a number of benefits, such as avoiding probate which can help save money as well as time while maintaining privacy. However, there are times when people may decide to take a second look at their revocable trust. For example, someone who has decided to split up with their marital partner may need to go over their trust as a result of their divorce. For starters, it is very important to remember that everyone's circumstances are unique, so the approach that works best for you may vary in comparison to someone else's. Many people choose to speak with a legal professional to ensure that they make the right decisions and know their options.

You may have a number of considerations related to your revocable trust due to a divorce, whether they involve your former spouse, your kids or your property. Ending your marriage can be challenging for many reasons, whether you are adversely impacted from a financial standpoint or struggle with emotional difficulties due to divorce (depression, anger or anxiety). Some people might feel like pushing off estate-related matters due to a difficult divorce and our law firm certainly understands the pressures that can be involved in divorce cases. Family law issues, especially those involving kids or significant assets, can be very hard to work through.

We have covered many aspects of estate planning and the probate process on this blog, from naming a trustee to the benefits of a trust (such as avoiding court) and probate disputes. However, there are many other issues that may arise with respect to trusts. For example, you may need to find a new trustee. There are a number of reasons why people decide to change the trustee, but it is important to understand the unique details related to the trust in question and move forward accordingly. For example, the approach varies depending on whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable, for example.

With revocable trusts, grantors may decide to revoke their trust and set up a new trust with another person appointed as trustee. On the other hand, irrevocable trusts can be more complicated, but you may be able to remove the trustee of an irrevocable trust. For example, if all beneficiaries and the grantor are in agreement, the modification of an irrevocable trust may move forward. However, it is essential to bear in mind that there are many unique details which apply to each situation, such as state laws, the ability of grantors and beneficiaries to cooperate and come to an agreement, and other factors.

Company owners come across a myriad of business and legal issues, whether they run a small business, medium size family-owned business, or are in charge of a multinational corporation. On this blog, we have discussed some of the reasons why business litigation arises, such as contract disputes and allegations of unfair competition. With that said, business owners may also find themselves in court over alleged incidents involving employees or independent contractors, from wage and hour violations to sexual harassment claims. It is especially important for business owners in Cincinnati to handle these cases with great care.

Sexual harassment is a serious problem in the workplace and can harm a victim's life in many ways. Unfortunately, some people also choose to falsely accuse another of sexual harassment. Moreover, those who claim to have been subjected to sexual harassment may even decide to take legal action against an entire company that they blame for neglecting to address sexual harassment that they may claim was evident. In some instances, these false accusations can lead to long-term damage to the company or to supervisors' careers that is irreparable.

Because of the serious nature of sexual harassment cases, they must be handled very carefully from the first allegation or complaint of harassing action. Business owners should go over every legal option and carefully work through the case. Moreover, it is a legal must for business owners to take steps to be pro-active, like issuing a compliant handbook, supervisory and employee training, and open-door policies, to prevent these issues from arising before they turn into litigation. Browse our Employment Advising and Litigation page if you are interested in reading more information about these important Employment and Workplace issues or consulting with one of our attorneys.