Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!

For the last several years in a row, there has been an effort to enact legislation creating an intermediate appellate court in West Virginia. Currently, West Virginia is one of only a handful of states in which cases go directly from the trial court or court of original jurisdiction to the state’s highest appellate court. Despite the many proposals that have been made, the West Virginia Legislature has thus far failed to enact any law creating a WV intermediate court of appeals.

Individuals with a high net worth have complex estate planning and tax needs. Without strategic planning, estate taxes could significantly reduce the value of your legacy. An experienced estate planning attorney who provides high net worth tax planning and high asset estate planning could help protect your assets from excessive estate taxes. With knowledgeable guidance on the potential tax liability and options to achieve tax savings, you can make the best decision for you and your family. 

Nonprofits are subject to limits on charitable spending, and understanding those limits is vital for charitable organizations. Misappropriating nonprofit funds—even if an innocent mistake—can expose a charitable organization to the risk of litigation by donors and investigation by the state’s attorney general. With guidance from an experienced attorney for charitable giving, charitable organizations can determine how to allocate gifts in the ways that best suit their philanthropic purpose and meet donor expectations.

Planning charitable giving is often suggested as a year-end pursuit, but January can roll around without firm plans in place. Facilitating donors in new year planning for charitable giving can maximize their tax benefits and incorporate planned giving efficiently into an overall financial plan. With the help of knowledgeable gift planning advisors, donors and charitable organizations can both reap the benefits.

Businesses exist to create revenue, but revenue isn’t the only way to ascertain a company’s worth. As a business owner, you will likely need to determine your business’s value at least once, but how is that accomplished? Business valuation approaches vary depending on the type of business and the reason for the valuation. Understanding the fundamentals can help you engage the right professionals and maximize the valuation of your business.