Livingston Reporting - page 134

The Most Important Reasons for Estate Planning

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

No one wants to think about what is going to happen after they pass away while they are still living, however, there really is not any better time like the present. Most the important decision you need to make are designed to make things easier for your loved ones after you have passed away and you cannot make the necessary decisions. It is really imported to discuss estate planning.

 

The key to estate planning is that it has to be done while you still have the control of your faculties for an attorney to be able to prepare all of the proper paperwork. Your attorney should be able to go over everything that you need to be sure that you have gotten everything important.

 

10 Important reasons for doing estate planning

 

Peace of Mind – The biggest reason is to give everyone the peace of mind knowing things are all taken care of ahead of time.

 

Specify who is to receive which assets after your death – In order to prevent any fighting or hurt feelings it is very important that you assign assets to everyone that will be mentioned in the will. Once the document is enforced it can only be undone by the owner of the will.

 

Helps to avoid probate headaches – If there was no will or trust everything would go in the court system and that is what is referred to as probate court.

 

State who is to be the guardian of any minor children – When you have minor children you have to consider who you will want to take care of them in the event that you were to die.

 

Name the executor – The executor is the most important decision besides who will be taking care of the kids. The executor will be responsible for making sure that all of the parts of the trust is carried out.

 

Establish a Power of Attorney for financial decisions – The power of attorney for making financial decisions needs to be settled in order to be able to pay any bills for care if you become incapacitated.

 

Establish a Power of attorney for healthcare – Like power of attorney for financial reasons, you also need to do something about your medical conditions before you become incapacitated.

 

Execute a revocable trust – Avoid any problems with a will but setting up a revocable trust is far better received in my opinion.

 

Restrict minor children’s access to inheritance – To help protect your kids and keep them from spending any of the money they have been for their inheritance. The usual time frame is 25-30 years old.

 

Be sure to shield the inheritance from tax concerns, divorce issues and creditors – Having a trust in place will help to protect the assets from taxes, divorce a decree.

 

Learn more about attorney Sean J. Nichols and the legal services he provides for clients including: estate planning, elder law issues, Medicaid planning, elder care, probate law, guardianships, and power of attorney (POA) at www.seanjnichols.com.  To contact the offices of Sean J Nichols, call 734.386.0224 today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean J. Nichols

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Common Mistakes When Selecting a Water Treatment Option for Well Water

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It is a known fact that water obtained from a well is not the best option when used for drinking or cooking purposes. It includes certain minerals and particles that can adversely affect your health, how your skin feels, staining on your fixtures, and more.  Many professionals recommend water treatment options that purify your homes well water.  The water analysis will help tell professionals which of the available water treatment options are best for your homes water.  Water treatment options include the use of a water softener, iron filters, reverse osmosis, water purifiers, and water conditioning systems.

There are many of the different well water treatment options. However, selecting the right one can should be left up to professionals after an analysis of your water. Many people make some common mistakes when selecting a water treatment options for well water especially when they do not listen to the advice of water treatment professionals. These mistakes affects your homes water quality.  Many common issues DIY homeowners forget to consider are:

Not Taking Impurities into Consideration

A very common mistake people make is that they do not take water impurities into consideration when selecting the water treatment option. There are different types of impurities in well water; hence, an appropriate treatment option must be selected considering those impurities. For example, if you are using an iron filter as a well water treatment, it won’t perform efficiently if the water is acidic in nature, which, generally, well water is.

Not Taking the Location of Well into Consideration

Many people opt for tried and tested water treatment options for well water without taking the location into consideration. This is an absolutely wrong approach as a well that is located in an area that has high pollution rate requires a different treatment method than that of an area with low pollution rate. Similarly, more chemicals, toxins, and impurities are found in the water that is obtained from wells located in an industrial area.

Not Having Ample Understanding of Pressure & Pump Flow Rate

It is another common mistake made by homeowners. They do not understand two important aspects of water system i.e. pressure and pump flow rate. As a result, they are unable to select the right treatment method for removing contaminations from the water. Therefore, it is recommended to have a deep understanding of these aspects along with others vital factors of the well water system so that you can select the most appropriate well water treatment option.

Wrongly Identifying or Not Identifying Well Water Problems

Some people go for a well water treatment simply because it is known to produce effective results. They make this mistake of not identifying the problems before selecting the solution. Similarly, some people wrongly identify the well water problem. The result, in such situations, is impure water that still contains harmful chemicals or toxins. Using this water for drinking or cooking purposes can lead to fatal health conditions.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Reynolds Water

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When Is It Time to Replace Your LINAC System Instead of Repairing It?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It is a known fact that linear accelerators, LINAC systems are expensive. Not only is the piece of equipment on a whole costly but also buying the replacement parts for linear accelerators can be quite costly, especially if it is a rush order. Hence, regular maintenance and care must be ensured to enhance its lifespan.

The importance of a LINAC system for a healthcare facility provider that offers cancer treatment is known to one and all. This intelligent system is designed to treat cancerous cells and kill them as part of cancer treatment. Therefore, it is considered to be a vital aspect in the treatment of different type of cancers.

Health experts know that the radiation that emits out of LINAC and other such devices also pose certain health hazards. However, linear accelerators boast of advanced safety measures; hence, these machines are programmed to provide only the required dosage that is required keeping in consideration the condition of the patient.

The problem with LINACS, like other systems, they can start to falter over time. Regular use can lead to damages in different parts of the machine, as a result, it may start showing deteriorate signs or stop working completely. A tough decision to make here is whether to get it repaired or if the equipment needs to be replaced.

The key is to know when to fix or when to replace. When equipment starts to falter on a regular basis, it may be time to look into finding a refurbished LINAC system.  However, a system that is just experiencing normal wear and tear should be repaired using linear accelerator replacement parts.

You should consider the replacement option in case a part of the system has faltered or stopped working when it starts to occur on a regular basis. However, in a situation where a single part of the system stops, or something occurs that is normal it is a better option to repair the equipment.  These large pieces of medical equipment are meant to withstand time so in many cases repair is the best options.

It really comes down to a number of factors such as downtime from the present equipment. If you are continually experiencing equipment failure that leads to cancelled treatments then you may have to analyze the cost between patient care, cancelled appointments, repair expenses, replacement parts, vs the cost of new equipment.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

 

RadParts

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Is Your Pool ‘s Plaster Ready for Summer Fun?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Owning a home with an inground pool presents a unique challenge in itself in that you are responsible for all of its upkeep. It is far different from any other type of backyard pool that you might have had in the past. Unlike an above ground pool which has a plastic liner that actually holds the water inside, an in-ground pool is made of plaster, concrete or one-piece fiberglass.

 

The plaster surface is prepared is for the water to be added and the chemicals are added to be sure that it is ready to be opened up for the summers use. Even if the installation job was done perfectly there is always going to be a chance that damage will occur and there are several ways to determine if there is, in fact, a leak or superficial damage to the plaster on your pool.

 

What to look for when inspecting your pool?

 

There is actually a debate going on among pool owners regarding whether or not you should even have to regularly inspect the plaster or concrete surfaces of the inside of their pool. However, if you are one of those pool owners who regularly check your pool, do you know what you are looking for? Here are some things that you should consider paying close attention to:

 

Signs of delamination: Delamination is when layers of a composite material begin to separate which can cause a number of issues including water leaking out of your pool and looks terrible. Depending on where on the walls of the pool that you find them will depend on how much water you will have to drain.

 

Plaster Blisters: Finding bubbles or blisters in the plaster surface usually means that water got underneath the plaster layer that is applied over the concrete shell. These more than likely superficial and not a huge problem.

 

Deep cracks in the walls: Superficial cracks that only appear to be in the plaster can easily be covered over and water can be added back into the pool after letting it dry. However, if the cracks are deep enough and end up into the concrete shell underneath you will need to call in local professional.

 

Water seeping around the pool area: If you constantly are finding water in the area around the pool you might want to consult a pool professional.

 

How often should you inspect the pool?

 

There really is not any set in the stone schedule for how and when you should inspect all of the surfaces of your pool and all of the pool equipment. However, you should consider that your pool is a huge investment and major repairs and be extremely costly. So, if you were to set aside a few hours every year to give your pool an extensive look over in hopes to catch anything that is potentially problematic.

 

Learn more about Pound Pool Plastering and their numerous pool plastering options including: pool resurfacing, plaster surfacing, commercial pool plaster, residential pool plaster, plastering swimming pools, tiling swimming pools, coping swimming pools, and more at www.pound-pool-plastering.com.  To contact our pool plastering specialists call 248.476.4544 today.

 

 

Pound Pool Plastering

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What Happens to Your Medigap Coverage When You Move to a New State

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medigap plans have become immensely popular in recent years because of numerous added advantages they offer over Original Medicare, Part A and Part B. Many people, across the US, are opting for this coverage so that they more of their healthcare costs that are generally not included in the coverage of their original Medicare insurance.

A general question that many people have related to their Medigap supplement insurance is that what will happen to it if they are moving to another state. If you are looking for an accurate answer to this question, you have landed at the right place.

In case you have purchased a Medigap plan and are planning to move to another state, there is no requirement to buy a new plan. This is due to the fact that Medigap supplement insurance plans are the same across the US, apart from three unusual states. However, people who have enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans, they may face certain issues as it comes with some limitations. They can only use health care providers that are located within the network of this plan.

If you have relocated to an area that doesn’t fall within in the network of your Medicare select plan, the sole option you have is to buy a new Medigap supplement insurance plan that offers similar, if not the same, benefits you were obtaining from the Medicare select plan. The added advantage here for you will be that you won’t be required to undergo medical underwriting. This will save you from paying extra charges due to your health condition. In worst case scenarios, the insurance company may refuse to offer you a Medigap plan. However, this advantage can only be obtained if you had purchased Medicare Select plan 6 months prior to relocating to a new state.

In the case where you have a Medigap plan and have moved to a new state, you may have to pay a higher or lower premium after relocation. This depends on the Medigap rates in the states you have moved to. If the rates are more expensive, the premium value you pay monthly will increase and vice versa.

There is also a possibility of finding a Medigap policy in the new state you have moved in that is less expensive as compared to the one that you already one. In such a situation, all you have to do is to submit a new application for getting a new Medigap policy.

As stated above, Medigap plans are standardized in most of the states of the US. However, if you are moving to one of these states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, you may have to buy a different Medigap policy as these states have individual standardized plans.

To sum it up, if you want to continue obtaining the added advantages of your Medigap plan, do complete research on the state you are moving to regarding the rates and plans offered there and take the decision accordingly.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Medicare Mistakes That Can Cost You

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare supplement insurance plans are devised to aid people to pay for their health care expenses. It isn’t wrong to state these policies are blessings to those who are suffering from certain medical ailments. However, for some people, a Medicare supplement plan can actually prove to be costly because of the common mistakes made when selecting a Medigap plan.

Not Choosing the Right Policy

One of the biggest mistake people make when buying Medicare supplement plans is that they choose the wrong policy. Thus, not all of their medical visits are covered. As a result, they still have to pay for them and the plan isn’t as effective for them as they had thought of. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly go through different Medicare supplement insurance plans, know their details, and take the decision accordingly.

Not Signing Up at the Right Time

This is another common mistake made by people that cost them in the long run. Those people who have already received their social security, they are automatically signed up for Medicare. However, for those who haven’t, it is important to sign up at the right time to avoid facing premium penalties.

Not Signing Up for Part D

Some people believe that buying part D Medicare supplement insurance plans is a mere waste of money if they don’t use prescribed drugs. However, this is a mistake that can cost them a fortune. This is because no one can predict the injuries or diseases they may suffer from in the future for which they require the use of prescribed drugs that can burn a hole in their pockets. Therefore, it is advised to sign up for part D so in order to avoid late penalties and get expensive drugs easily in case of emergency.

Not Paying Attention to Annual Notice of Change

All those people who have signed up for Medicare advantage plan or Part D, they receive notice of change in September every year. This notice contains vital information about changes in premiums and coverages. It is important to carefully read this notice of change and compare the premium price and coverage details of the current year with the next year. This will help you to decide whether you need to change your plan or stick to the current one. However, many people tend to ignore this notice of change and end up paying more for their Medicare policy.

There you go! These are some of the common mistakes that the owners of Medicare supplement insurance plans make and end up paying a lot more than they should. It is firmly recommended to avoid making any of these mistakes with regards to your Medicare policies so that you can avail the maximum benefits out of them without disturbing your budget a great deal.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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The Difference Between Parcel Shipping and LTL Shipping

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

On paper, parcel and less than truckload shipping may seem similar. However, there are plenty of differences between the two. Wondering what these differences are? You will find your answers in this post.

Size of the Package

Also known as LTL trucking, less than truckload shipping generally carries large packages. Hence, if you have a bulky package, LTL shipping is a better option for you out of the two. On the other hand, parcel shipping is preferred by many people for smaller and lightweight packages.

Damage Risk Factor

Another differentiating factor between the two options is the risk of damage. With LTL trucking, the risk is relatively lower since there are limited check-ins as they are bulky. Thus, fewer hands on the packages and ultimately fewer chances of damage. However, it depends on freight trucking specialists who are at the helm of shipping parcels.

Cost-Efficient

Parcel shipping is considered to be more a cost-efficient way to ship goods. The major reason why LTL trucking rates are higher is their bulky size. They end up consuming more space; thus, the more charges are applied by the freight trucking specialists. There is no such issue with parcel shipping; therefore, charges are generally lower.

Easy Tracking

With parcel shipping, there is an added benefit of easy tracking. This is due to the fact that there are different checkpoints through which packages in a parcel shipping method have to go through. Hence, it is easy to locate the parcel when it is in the shipping phase.

Risk of Losing a Parcel

The risk of losing the package is greater in case of parcel shipping. As parcels are less than 150 pounds, they can easily be misplaced or lost. On the other hand, no such issue is associated with LTL shipping. The parcels in LTL shipping, as stated above, are generally bulky. They need assistance to be carried, unlike parcel shipping. Therefore, the chances of losing a package are quite fewer with LTL shipping.

The Shape of the Parcel

If you have packages in a unique shape, it is recommended to go for LTL shipping. The reason behind this recommendation is that LTL carriers generally use forklifts instead of conveyor belts. On conveyor belts, oddly shaped packages are often at the risk of falling off the belt. Hence, they can sustain damages.

Technological Advancement

When it comes to technological advanced, parcel shipping has surged ahead of LTL shipping. It is more automated; the process of carrying goods is more streamlined.

Chances of Delay

Chances of delay are more in case of parcel shipping. This is because packages are initially loaded onto pallets. Then, they are distributed into small trunks. These trunks then reach a delivery van from where they are sent to the recipients.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

 

Matrix Transportation

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Leave It to The Pros! Why DIY Siding is a Bad Idea

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Want to improve the exterior décor of your home? The best option to consider is new exterior siding. It will not only improve the exterior décor but improve the value of your home as well. Moreover, it will also improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Siding that is over forty years old should consider getting it replaced as part of an exterior home improvement plan. It will add freshness to the curb appeal of your home and improve its overall look.

Many people make the mistake of relying on DIY methods instead of leaving it to professionals when it comes to siding. It brings a lot of hassles, chaos, and of course, consumes a lot of time. Hence, it is recommended to leave it to the pros and get the process completed in a professional manner.

Here are some of the reasons why leaving siding to the professional is a better idea than doing it on your own.

Lack of Professionals

A prominent factor that goes in favor of the pros for exterior siding is that they are professionals. Hence, they can employ professional techniques to complete the whole siding project in an efficient manner. On the other hand, opting for DIY methods require so much time, effort, and energy. Despite spending hours or days in completing side project, you may still not get the desired results.

Lack of Expertise and Experience

Hiring professional exterior contractors for a siding project is also recommended since they have the required expertise and experience, which a layman doesn’t have. There is a vast difference in the result of an exterior siding project that is completed by a professional and a layman. This is due to the fact that professionals use their experience, skills, and extensive knowledge optimally to ensure the project is completed in a timely and professional manner.

No Access to Required Tools & Gears

An exterior siding project requires the use of certain tools and gears, which, generally a layman doesn’t have access to. They either have to buy or rent them that can burn a hole in their pockets. On the other hand, if you are relying on exterior contractors, there will be no such issue since the advanced tools and gears will be arranged by the professionals themselves.

Chances of Chaos, Mess, and Hassles

An exterior siding project can create a lot of hassles and chaos if not done properly. Furthermore, there will be a lot of mess left behind that will further add to the hassles. With hiring professionals, the whole process will be completed in a smooth and efficient manner. There will be no hassles, mess, and chaos at all.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

Kearns Brothers

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Fused Disconnect Switch vs Circuit Breakers

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

For all those people who are looking for major differences between fused disconnect switches and circuit breakers, this post will eradicate all your confusions and help you to make the best choice. Before proceeding further, let’s shed some light on why you need devices such as circuit breaker panels and fused disconnect switches.

Electrical circuits in residential and commercial establishments are designed to carry a certain amount of current. Due to any reason, if more current passes through them, it can lead to dire circumstances where sensitive appliances and equipment can be destroyed. In some situations, this overflow of current through electrical circuits can also result in a fire that can prove to be extremely fatal for the inmates of the building.

In order to prevent such a situation from happening, different devises such are used that serve the purpose of protecting overcurrent in wires. These devices, in a current overflow situation, disconnect or open the circuit. This helps in preventing the fire from erupting. Thus, there are fewer chances of any damage to be caused to appliances and equipment installed in the building. Devices such as circuit breaker and fused disconnect switch also work in case of short-circuit situations.

Now that you are aware of the basic function of both these devices; let’s now have a look at major differences between them.

Fused Disconnect Switch

A fused disconnect switch, as the name suggests, is a combination of a fuse and switch. The fuse shuts the circuit off and switch disconnects it in case of an issue. Switches are designed to be shut the power off manually. On the other hand, fuse works in the opposite way. They are made up of a small filament that melt down in case of a current overflow. A fuse’s current rating is preset. Thus, when the current exceeds the rating of the fuse for a longer period of time it melts automatically. As a result, the circuit is disconnected.

A point to note here is that when a fuse disconnects the circuit, it can be used again. Power can only be restored if the fuse is replaced by a new one.

Circuit Breaker

With circuit breaker, there is no issue of getting a new fuse every time it turns the power off due to the overflow of current or short-circuit. Thus, it is often considered a better option for many appliances. Circuit breaker panels can also be turned off in a manual way as they also serve the functions of a switch. This feature makes them handy if you want to do get some electrical work done in the building.

A circuit breaker disconnects the circuit automatically with the help of an electromagnet it features when it detects overflow of current or a short-circuit. After the problems have been fixed, it only needs to be turned back on for restoring power.

A Final Word

To sum it up, both these devices can help a great deal to eliminate issues caused by the overflow of current or short-circuit. As stated above, a circuit breaker disconnects the circuit both automatically and manually and a fused disconnect switch offers the same purpose. The difference lies in their design and functionality. Thus, when selecting them, take into consideration the electrical requirements of your premises for taking the best decision.

Learn more about J & P Electrical Company and their vast line of new, surplus, and refurbished industrial electrical components including: circuit breakers, bus ducts, bus plugs, disconnects, fuses, panel switches, tap boxes, and transformers at www.jpelectricalcompany.com.  To contact one of our product reconditioning specialists, call 877.844.5514 today.

 

J & P Electrical Company

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Most Popular Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling Trends of 2018

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More and more people are looking to stay in their current homes longer and not having to go through the hassle of selling their home and buying a new one in order to get something new that they don’t currently have. This makes contractors and interior designers really happy because it gives them more opportunities to help people figure out how to breathe new life into their old house.

It seems every year there are new trends and new ideas in the remodeling world and two of the more popular spaces in the home to remodel is the kitchen and bathrooms. This article will be looking into new trends for 2018 in order to help give you some ideas for your own home.

The Top 5 Trends in the Bathroom and Kitchen in 2018

 

For the Bathroom

Smaller, more efficient size – Smaller sometimes is better and in the case of today’s bathrooms smaller has become better. Fitting more into a small space is definitely the in thing.

 

High tech toilet – Features like heated seats, automatic opener/closers, air drying and even some with built-in automatic deodorizers.

 

The revival of the brass and gold fixtures – The use of gray tones in bathrooms now are beckoning to the return of the brass or gold tone fixtures to add a much less chrome look.

 

New style vanity lighting – Lighting in today’s bathroom is much more a much more integral part of the bathroom designs. There are much more options in lighting with pendants and lighting bars to go along with the sconces.

 

Underfloor heating – In the colder climates, having the floor warmed under your feet in the winter adds that extra touch of luxury.

 

For the Kitchen

 

The smart kitchen – Smart kitchens today have gone beyond the smart appliances to include motion sensing faucets and lighting that can be controlled by your smartphone. We are almost to the point of the nearly automated kitchen.

 

Cabinet colors – White cabinets are still number one for cabinet colors with a light gray a distant second. However, when there is an island there should be darker colors to contrast all of the white or light grays.

 

New textures and material – The trend has been reducing the number of upper cabinets to give the kitchen a more open look and feel. Having open shelving where storage is needed and more textures to the backsplash for the necessary focal points.

 

Quartz countertops – Quartz countertops are still all the rage since there is such a wide range of colors you can choose, and they look fabulous all the time.

 

In cabinet storage systems – With kitchens almost never having enough room or a pantry is not always an option, in cabinet storage is a simple solution that would work in almost all situations.

 

JFC Remodeling, out of Howell, Michigan, offers a variety of construction services for the home including: kitchen and bath remodeling, flooring renovations, and home remodeling.  You can find out more information at http://www.jfcremodeling.com or by reaching out to our home renovation specialists at 810.923.1123.

Jason Foldenauer Construction

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