Livingston Reporting - page 203

Mistakes to Avoid in Estate Planning

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When creating an estate plan it is important to ensure that you are incorporating all the features in the correct way.  This is the main reason that you always hire a professional estate planning attorney to assist.  There are several common mistakes that can be made when preparing an estate plan.  In this installment on estate planning we will discuss the most common mistakes in estate planning to help you avoid making them.

The number one mistake that is made when drawing up an estate plan is not appointing a guardian for your children.  You must appoint a clear cut guardian for your children, in writing, to avoid problems at a later date.  Children under eighteen years of age need to be cared for by a guardian.  When you take the time to talk with individuals in your life about this responsibility and make it official by stating your desired wishes in your estate plan it will be easier to ensure the children will be properly cared for until they are eighteen.  Otherwise, like everything else, guardianship of your children will be determined in probate by the court.

Another common mistake in estate planning is to think that once you have a plan in place that it will forever be current and doesn’t need updating.  Your estate plan must be updated regularly when changes occur.  The birth of a child, grandchild, purchase of estate, and new investments are all changes that will require your estate plan to need updating.  It is in your best interest to get in the routine of updating your estate plan every three years if not more often.  If a fall out occurs within the family but your estate plan was already erected the individuals still have legal rights to your estate.  It is crucial to keep your estate plan up to date and file with an attorney specializing in estate plans and probate law.

Another common issue that is overlooked is inheritance tax.  When you are giving something to someone it is crucial that you account for the taxes that they will be incurring.  There are ways to minimize tax liability to the recipient.  If there a large state of liability, you have to be sure that you are dividing up the tax liability among different individuals.  Doing so makes it easier to account for tax liability and do your best to minimize it.

Proper estate planning should be done in conjunction with an attorney specializing in probate law and estate planning to avoid future issues involved.  An estate plan should ensure that this transition in your life is predictable and non problematic for your heir’s.

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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Finding an Attorney Specializing in Estate Planning

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In order to create a proper estate plan you need to have an understanding of not only your investments but also your personal possessions.  It is also crucial that you are aware of and working with an attorney knowledgeable of the local laws and regulations.   The entire process can seem quite overwhelming if you don’t have the right professionals working with you to create a flawless estate plan to help ensure your estate avoids probate upon your passing.

A qualified estate planning attorney is best equipped to help you through this complex spider web of organizing your assets and creating a solid plan of action in the event of your untimely passing.  It is important to recognize that there is a difference between the types of attorneys that can help you create an estate plan verse one that can get you out of a criminal charge, divorce, or other such legal matters.

In order to create a flawless estate plan it is important that you work directly with an attorney that specializes in estate planning and a variety of issues that come along with aging such as elder law, probate law, wills and trusts, and more.  In this installment on estate planning we will share with you three tips to help you in finding and utilizing an attorney specializing in creating estate plans.

  • Ask your family and friends for references to attorneys that they may have previously used to create their estate plans.  Working with an attorney in estate planning that you already have a remote connection to can generally start the process in the right direction.  The process of creating a plan for the transfer of your estate can be complex and complicated.  Working with a proven trust worthy attorney from the state can help.
  • Get professional references from your financial advisor. They have inside information when it comes to working with area attorneys.  Your financial advisor is incredibly familiar with your financial assets.  They have worked in conjunction with many area attorneys and can guide you to a reputable estate planning attorney from the start. It is beneficial that your attorney and financial advisor have a working relationship as well to ease future transactions with the estate.
  • Take time to spend researching the internet for not only estate planning attorney reviews but also information that is up to date on estate planning. The more you know about estate planning ahead of time the more prepared you will be.  Finding a local estate planning attorney is in your best interest as they will know the ins and outs of the estate regulations in your area.  The internet is a great source to get additional information to help make an educated decision.

As you start looking for an estate planning attorney remember to check for solid references from family, friends and trusted professionals.  To follow up recommendations and to gain more understanding of the process head to the internet for additional research.

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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What to Consider Before You Hire a Roofing Contractor

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If you are looking for a roofing contractor, you want to make sure to avoid scams and shoddy work. This can be easier said than done, so how should you go about hiring a roofing contractor? Start by considering the following list of helpful tips:

Referrals – Get local referrals. You want to choose a roofing contractor that is locally owned and operated, one that has an established reputation in your area. When you choose a roofing contractor who is well known in your community, you are less likely to be scammed.  Check Better Business Bureau ratings, and look for manufacturer designations, too!

Insurance – Any roofing contractor you hire should have both worker’s compensation and liability insurance. This is a non negotiable. And they should be able to provide a copy of their insurance so you can verify its validity, which you absolutely should take the time to do. You don’t want to end up financially responsible for the hospital bills of an injured worker, or the property damage a worker caused, either. Bottom line is you want to know you’re covered if anything happens on the job, so give their insurance company a call to put your mind at ease.

Licensing – While most states require licensing for roofing contractors, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t inquire whether or not a company is licensed. It’s another good idea to verify the company is licensed, so make sure to ask for a copy allowing you to double check that it is up to date. And it’s also not a bad idea to research the specific licensing requirements for a roofing contractor in your area.

Communication – You want to hire a roofing contractor that answers your calls, provides you with documentation that you ask for, follows up with you, addresses your concerns, and answers your questions. Communication is paramount to every business, and you shouldn’t hire any roofing contractor incapable of effective communication.

Material options – Your roofing contractor should offer you multiple options, and they should offer more than just asphalt shingling packages. You want a company that will work with you to determine which roofing solution works best for your needs and budget.

Estimates – Make sure your roofing contractor gives you an exact price upfront, one that the company puts in writing.

Warranties – Your roofing contractor should offer an extensive warranty. Don’t settle for anything below average.

Price – You want to get the best roofing contractor for your money, and who doesn’t love a deal? But don’t let price be the only thing you take into consideration because in the end, you might actually pay more if you have to have shoddy work fixed by another roofing contractor later on.

This list is just a starting place, so don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions before you select a roofing contractor. It can be difficult to find someone committed to professionalism, safety, and quality workmanship, but if you want to protect your home and your wallet, make sure the roofing contractor you hire crosses off all of your checkpoints.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  To contact one of our roofing contractors call 810.225.9080 today.

Home Pro Roofing MI

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Questions to Ask to Find The Right Roof Contractor

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Do you need a new roof? Maybe your roof is leaking badly, or the shingles are even falling off. Whatever is wrong, you have decided it’s finally time to hire a new roof contractor, but now you are unsure of who to hire. Choosing a new roof contractor can be an overwhelming task, but if you ask the right questions, you can feel confident in your decision.

Are you licensed and insured? Don’t hire any new roof contractor who is not both licensed and insured. And don’t just take their word for it; confirm it yourself. You can verify insurance coverage by calling the insurance company. A new roof contractor should have both worker’s compensation and liability insurance to protect you from injuries to workers or any damage to the home that may occur during the duration of the job.

What do you offer in terms of a warranty? Even though today’s shingles style lasts longer than the older styles, a warranty is something every new roof contractor should offer. The longer the better, but what’s most important it to double check that the warranty you discussed is included in your written contract. You need to know what is covered and for how long.

Are you local? When you hire a new roof contractor, you want to hire someone that has an excellent reputation in YOUR community. This should be a company who can provide local references, people you can call and confirm were happy with the work they had done. Locally owned and operated is also important because you want to trust that you can find them if any problems arise.

Can you provide a written estimate upfront? Hiring a new roof contractor can be pricey, and that is somewhat to be expected, but what you don’t want is to hire a company assuming it will be one price, only to find out later the price has tripled. Your new roof contractor needs to provide you with an honest estimate upfront that they put in writing for your wallet’s protection. And make sure the writing isn’t vague. The contract should be very detailed so you know exactly what you’re getting.

How long have you been in business? It’s good to know how many jobs a new roof contractor has completed, so you can feel confident in their level of experience. Experts agree anywhere from 10-15 years is a good range. You just want to make sure this is an established company with jobs under their belt.

How important is safety to you? Your new roof contractor should strictly adhere to OSHA standards.

What roofing options do you offer? You want options when it comes to roofing solutions, so make sure to find out what is available to you. A new roof contractor should have multiple packages, from simple asphalt shingles to an upgraded metal roof.

A new roof can increase your home’s value, and it will certainly keep you safe, but what’s most important is to find a new roof contractor who is a trustworthy professional, so don’t forget to be thorough in your questioning before you sign any contracts.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  To contact one of our roofing contractors call 810.225.9080 today.

Home Pro Roofing MI

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Understanding What A Computer Virus Can Do

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems - Updated

No matter how careful you are with your computer, it more than likely will face some issue over time. This typically includes slow speeds, error messages, file corruptions, and reboot issues. There are times these issues are due to the computer’s age or simple hardware issues. These can be rectified by replacing the part that has been causing the problem. In other cases, it may be due to a software problem.

However, in today’s day of high-speed downloads, the issue is usually due to a virus or spyware. Computer viruses are software programs that spread within the operating system by multiplying and corrupting essential files, eventually making the computer unusable. Whereas spyware is a piece of code that has been designed to obtain your personal information and send it out to third parties.

Spyware and viruses have the ability to enter your computer through a variety of means. Email attachments, software installs, online games, and untrusted downloads all have the ability to infect your computer with a dangerous virus or spyware. Both the spyware and virus have the ability to slow down your processor speed, change the homepage, alter registry settings, damage your files, and display a wide range of content and pop-ups.

One of the best methods for keeping your computer clean is to avoid putting your computer in such dangerous positions. Before you download anything from a website be sure to read the agreement. Your internet security settings should be set to medium or higher. Even taking the above steps is not enough to keep your computer safe from infections. When your computer is connected to a network, the threat level is magnified.

It is essential that anti-spyware and anti-virus software has been properly installed on your computer. There are a number of software suites available on the market that will cater to your individual budget and needs. However, like all things in life, not everything is what it would seem. There are some anti-spyware programs available online that are spyware programs themselves! It is quite important to download from only trusted sites and once again, read all of the fine print. Once the proper software has been installed on your computer, it is generally just a matter of hitting start to remove the unwanted programs from your computer.

If you feel you know where the culprit is hiding, you can start in that folder. However, it is typically best to scan the entire system, this is done by selecting all drives and folders. This type of scan will take several hours but it will find all viruses and spyware on the computer and remove them. In addition, there are many products available that will offer real-time protection for your computer. These products will prevent any form of malicious code from entering into the computer. They will continually scan the computer looking for anything that may be a virus of spyware and block it. In fact, these products have the ability to warn you of any suspicious sites before you even visit them.

These products are an excellent addition to your arsenal in keeping your files and computer safe. However, there are times when a computer is going to be too infected for one of these products to clean the system. In this case, you will have two options. One is to reformat the hard drive and reinstall all programs. Or bring it to a computer repair shop and hope that the system can be salvaged. They will back up your essential files and important documents and restore the computer to its factory settings.

The most important thing to remember is to think before you click when online. And if the situation becomes too bad, it is best to talk to a professional as soon as possible.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

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How To Choose The Right Commercial IT Specialists And Avoid Danger

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Creative Programs and Systems

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Judging by the Cover

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It is often said that we should not judge a book by its cover and that it’s what’s inside that counts. However, selling a product is not just about manufacturing products and relying on the quality of the product alone to push sales. Imagine walking through the aisles of a supermarket and every aisle is only filled with generic boxes and bottles with the brand and product names printed in standard text. It does not paint a very interesting picture. With no other feature to attract potential customers to pick them up, new products and smaller companies will have a difficult time competing against established, more popular products and brand names. Therefore, labels on products and their customisation play an important role in distinguishing products from different brands.

Custom labels on products have many functions. One of which is to attract the attention of potential customers. Some brands use loud colours, bold fonts, and elaborate illustrations to achieve the desired result. Others would contrast them by using neutral colours, subdued fonts and either simple diagrams or nothing at all to catch the attention of customers. This image created by the labels can easily be associated with the product by its customers. Customers that were happy with a product and choose to purchase it again can then easily locate the product with its distinct appearance.

The vast variation that can be created due to the nature of customisable labels allows brands and products to create a unique image for themselves. Some would even say that labels give the products personality. The labels would often reflect on the product or the brand’s vision and this is more likely to appeal to like-minded customers, creating a bond between the customer and the brand. This will increase customer loyalty to the product or brand, which would help the brand in a long-term business stand point.

Another role played by customizable labels in the sales of the product is that companies can inform potential customers about a product. Brands can promote certain aspects or features of their products on their labels. Potential customers will be drawn to purchase products that meet their requirements and having the positive properties of a product highlighted on its label will help the customer make their decision. With custom labelling, the brand has the freedom to creatively present these selling points, further individualizing the product and its appearance.

Labels on products can greatly influence the success of the product. It is the initial attraction factor to a shopper skimming over many products for something that will catch their eye. Furthermore, it plays a part in the promotion of the product and its benefits to the customer. Custom labelling enables brands to achieve all this while granting the product a sense of individuality, potentially creating a bond between the product or brand and the customer.  So, in product sales and where custom labelling is involved, a book’s cover is meant for judgment and the outside counts just as much as the inside.

Learn more about Anchor Printing and their vast line of custom product label & packaging options including: Shrink Sleeve Labels, Flexible Packaging, Roll-Fed Labeling, Pressure Sensitive and Cut & Stack Labels at www.anchorprinting.com.  To contact one of our label specialists call toll free at 800.748.0209 or via email at info@anchorprinting.com.

Anchor Printing

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Top Reasons to Choose Aluminum Fencing

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Aluminum fencing is basically a fence made out and constructed from a metal called aluminum. Aluminum is a metal that is very light in weight and has a very high resistance against corrosion and because of these two properties it has become a very popular choice of almost all the constructors for railings, fences and gates.

Aluminum fencing now a days is used for both the commercial and the residential purposes. Aluminum fencing is done in a wide variety of styles and designs and they look very pretty and dandy too besides the advantage that aluminum is very easy to clean, resists weathering and has very low maintenance requirements. They are durable, fancy and very quick to install as well. It can also be most cost-efficient than comparable materials, such as wrought iron and steel.

Aluminum fencing using aluminum products provide the same beauty, elegance and custom options as steel. It provides a rust proof virtually maintenance free product that is perfectly suited for any environment.

Aluminum panels have several styles and included flat top and spiked top which comes with various decorative details. Post caps are also available which come in different shapes depending upon the nature of the fence.

  • End Posts: End posts have holes in them and they are used for starting and stopping points.
  • Corner Posts: The corner posts are used to make right angles as they have holes on the adjacent sides
  • Line Posts: The line posts are used for the simple straight runs of fence and they have holes in them too which are located at the opposite sides

So, what are the uses of aluminum fencing? Uses are discussed below:

  1. Safety:

An unguarded swimming pool can be very dangerous for children and pets. So to avoid any unsupervised visitor wandering around the pool aluminum fencing is the best way. It can also be used along stair cases and in balconies for both safety and decoration because aluminum fencing serve both the purposes very well.

  1. Cost effective approach:

Other metal’s fencing like wrought iron and steel cost way more than Aluminum and more over they attract rust at a very fast rate and they are difficult to clean too. Aluminum fencing on the other hand is very cost effective to deploy and has almost no maintenance cost.

  1. Add security:

Every place is always at a threat no matter it is our home or office thieves and burglars can enter anytime so we always need security against theft. Aluminum fencing is a great way to make your house, offices secure. It will not change the shape of the place of your living but will definitely secure the place.

  1. Durability:

Other metals are not as much durable as aluminum like iron catches rush which eats the metal at a very fast rate. So investing your money in aluminum fencing is a very good idea as it will last longer than you think and an extra advantage of it is that it won’t require much maintenance.

iFenceUSA offers the widest variety of maintenance-free, no-rust aluminum fences and gates in the industry! Whether you are a pool contractor, a building contractor, an architect, a landscaping professional, or a “do-it-yourself” homeowner looking for exceptional value and installation advice, you’ll benefit by buying wholesale aluminum fences shipped factory-direct to your home or business anywhere in America from www.iFenceUSA.com!

iFenceUSA

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Why Shrink Sleeve Labeling is Gaining Popularity

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The demand for shrink sleeve labels have seen a significant growth in the last decade and its use is increasing in the global market of labels every day.

The rise in demand for this label is mainly attributed to its benefits in terms of brand identity, marketing and visual appeal to the customers. There is an improvement in the definition and quality of these labels on a regular basis. New developments are also taking place in the manufacturing processes and forms of shrink sleeve labeling.

The other factors affecting the demand for shrink sleeve labels are retail trends, economic influences and increasing demand from the consumers for the convenience products. Several studies on market research have shown that use of customized shrink sleeve labels can increase the sales by around 20% as compared to the age-old ‘pressure sensitive’ labels.

Shrink sleeve labels have a smooth finish, brilliant graphics and are considered as the most durable labeling products. Since these labels are printed on the polyester or plastic material, so they are most suitable for products that are exposed to friction or moisture.

There are several advantages of shrink sleeve labeling. Let us discuss them in details.

  • They are available in full color with a design coverage of 360 degrees.
  • They can be fitted onto most containers and can be contoured to other special shapes.
  • They are abrasion and moisture resistant.
  • No adhesive is required; hence the containers remain usable.

Using shrink sleeve labeling maximizes the marketing space on the products, thus providing more ways to impress the customers. Apart from providing a greater coverage than the regular labels, shrink sleeves are also a better option for those products that confront moisture heavy or humid environments. Such products include refrigerators and showers. The designs on the products do not get damaged in spite of rough handling or friction. This is because the printing of the graphics is done on the inside portion of the sleeve.

Generally, for full body labeling, the shrink sleeves fit into most of the containers. However, shrinking sleeve can be difficult on those shapes that get narrower downwards. This is because the sleeves will not be able to have a grip on the bottom of those containers. The other consideration that needs to be taken into consideration is the heat inside the steam tunnels. This means the shrink sleeve labels have to be made in such a way that they can withstand a certain degree of temperature, otherwise, the containers can get damaged.

We can also use shrink sleeve labels as tamper evident seals. This is very simple. We just need to add a perforation (horizontal of course) near the container’s cap. Thus, there is no need to purchase and apply 2 label products. Instead, our limited resources and time can be utilized in doing something productive.

Similarly, you must have heard of combination packaging. They use these labels for packaging and promoting multiple containers as a single unit. With ‘form-fitting’ shrink sleeve labels, combo-packs can be packaged in the easiest way. Later, these combo packs can be easily converted back into separate units be removing the external sleeve.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Anchor Printing

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Custom Designed Product Labels

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Every new product or a revamped product aims to deliver to its customer a lasting impression of the product through its label, within a few seconds. In order to create this impact, custom designed product labels should be made keeping in purview the objective of the product and the competitor’s outlook. The label should be designed as such that it affects the buyer emotionally and compels the buyer to try the product. The little label carries a lot of burden on its shoulder, so it becomes extremely vital for brands to display the product information beautifully on its label.

Important tips for a perfect label

The brand gets represented through its logo, the custom designed product label should be designed as such that it holds its logo distinctly, and use of white color is desirable around the logo to create lasting impact. The size of the logo doesn’t matter much, but the location does matter. The name of the product should be unique and it should define the product. The detailing of the product should be precise and clear, so that the customer can identify what exactly the product offers. The government rules and precautionary measures should be included wherever necessary. The quantity of the product should be mentioned. Proper barcoding should be done on each label.

Getting Noticed

It is always said that a product which is packaged nicely has the higher probability of being picked up by the customer. A product which clearly states its purpose through its label is always the first choice of customers. The custom designed product label which is presented in an artistic manner signals the message the product wants to convey. Colorful labels portray the product to be lively, and crisp design suggests purity with sophistication. The customer buys; product based on the label and the label provides the overall outlook of the particular brand. So, it becomes vital to portray a powerful artwork in the label, in order to make the customer aware about the brand message.

Plan of Action to formulate Alluring Label

With the market being extremely competitive, the brands need to walk that extra mile to stay abreast with changing buying pattern. Branding these days is all about creating unique stories. Although the space in the label doesn’t allow for long stories, one can provide one liners followed by QR code to kindle interest among the customers, so that they can enjoy the entire story back home. The brand has also the option to try out different images in their label keeping the distinctive brand details intact. This way the customer will be happy to keep bottles, with all different labels. The trend these days also focuses on ideating messages, facts and jokes on the labels along with awarding contests which raises the curiosity among the consumers of the product. Finally, the competitors can provide very good learning about what is working and what is not working. The label which is designed tactfully will surely catch the eye of the customer and earn profit for the brand.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Anchor Printing

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