- Adoption
- GuardianshipWhen someone is unable to take care of themselves due to their youth or condition, a conservatorship and/or guardianship can empower a trusted loved one to make important decisions on their behalf. The process for obtaining a conservatorship or guardianship from a Nebraska or Kansas court can, unfortunately be stressful, difficult, and complicated.
- Criminal DefenseDillon spent the first year of his practice in Kearney, Nebraska where he fell in love with practicing law in surrounding small towns. Dillons areas of practice include Bankruptcy, Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation. When he is not at work Dillon enjoys watching Major League Baseball, Nebraska football and playing golf.
- Business FormationFor more information on the legal aspects of business formation and to determine which type is best for you, call our firm at
- Limited Liability CompaniesLimited liability companies (LLC) were originally created as a replacement for Subchapter S corporations, as another option for businesses to avoid the corporate double tax on profits while retaining a limitation on liability. However, since LLCs may be taxed either as partnerships or as a Subchapter S corporation, they have, for the most part, replaced the traditional Partnership Agreement. LLC owners are referred to as members and their interests are called membership interests.
- Real Estate TransactionsOur philosophy is both buyers and sellers deserve to be treated fairly in a real estate transaction. Our Beatrice real estate lawyers provide all services necessary to complete a sale, including contract preparation, title searches, title insurance procurement, and closing assistance. We also draft land contracts and rent-to-own agreements that provide security to both buyers and sellers. Our firm can also provide standard lease forms to residential landlords as well as simple and complex farm leases to landowners.
- Auto Accidents
- Social Security DisabilityOur Office focuses on helping families appeal their Social Security Disability denial. Social security is a program provided by the government that helps individuals and families with supplemental income. Social security tends to be broken up into two different categories, SSI and SSDI. SSI or Supplemental Security Income provides minimum basic financial assistance to older adults and persons with disabilities (regardless of age).
- Medicaid Planning
- Estate PlanningAlthough long term care insurance is a good start to plan for possible health expenses in the future, more often then not these resources tend to run out. Medicaid recovery effects many individuals across the country; however, there are ways to protect important assets such as your family farm from the medicaid asset recovery program. Traditional estate planning tools and careful work by our office can help assure that you, your family, and everything you’ve worked for are protected for years to come.
- WillsA Last Will and Testament is the most common document used to pass property to heirs. The best reason to have a Will is that it allows you to decide how your property passes to your beneficiaries. For those who do not have a Will, the state in which you reside has laws of intestate (meaning not having a Will) succession, which will distribute your property for you. Your property may or may not be distributed the way you wanted it done if you have no Will.
- TrustsIn a Trust Administration, all the same documents as are required in a probate are prepared and distributed to the beneficiaries. In addition, the inheritance tax must be determined and paid just as in a Probate. Generally, however, a Trust can be administered faster than a probate because no hearings are scheduled in a court. Further, there are no costs incurred for court filing fees or newspaper publications. Attorney fees are based on the same flat fee schedule as are Probate proceedings.
- Power of AttorneyFurther, your attorney-in-fact is first in line to appointed as your guardian or conservator if the need should arise. Keep in mind that the Durable Power of Attorney is only in effect while you are alive. After your death, your Personal Representative takes over as manager of your estate. This is why we suggest that your attorney-in-fact and your personal representative be the same person.
- Probate
- BankruptcyIf you have previously filed for bankruptcy, there are certain restrictions on when you can file again. If you previously filed for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must wait 8 years to file another Chapter 7 or 4 years to file a Chapter 13 from the date of filing your original Chapter 7. If you previously filed for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must wait 2 years to file another Chapter 13 or 6 years to file a Chapter 7 from the date of filing your original Chapter 13.
- ForeclosureThis legal action also causes foreclosures to stop, at least temporarily. Further, some chapters of the bankruptcy code allow a debtor to cure the default and halt the foreclosure action permanently. Lepant Law Office/Schwab and Lepant, assess your situation and counsel you as to your best course of action if you are having trouble paying your creditors. There are certain eligibility requirements you must meet to file for bankruptcy. Some requirements have to do with your income, preconditions you must meet to file and timing in the case of multiple filings. Other requirements are more subjective. Bankruptcy is a complicated area of law, so it is best to consult with an attorney regarding your circumstance.
- Tax LawAt Lepant Law Office/Schwab and Lepant, we help clients from all sorts of financial backgrounds navigate and resolve tax issues. Our Beatrice taxation lawyers have decades of legal experience and emphasize transparency, communication, and results. From offers in compromise to mitigating the impact of federal estate taxes, we understand how to effectively approach a wide range of tax scenarios. After carefully assessing your unique situation, we can walk you through all of your options and recommend the most advantageous course of action. Our goal is to minimize your tax liability and exercise all available tax reduction strategies.