Legal Language
Finding yourself in need of legal services can be a stressful experience for anyone. Finding a lawyer to help you shouldn’t be. The lawyers at Gaines & Associates, P.C. are dedicated to working together with clients to alleviate the stress caused by their legal concerns and turning their problems into solutions by providing the highest standard of legal representation in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
Getting Control of Your Finances
With nearly 40% of Americans living paycheck to pay check it
may be difficult for many to gain control of their finances. (Consumer Federation of
America and the Consumer Planner Board of Standards, Inc.)
Gaines
and Associates would like to explain the services we offer to help combat ever-growing
finance concerns for our clients. Our office specializes in Loan Modifications,
Bankruptcy, and helping clients re-gain control of their finances.
New
reports this year from loansafe.org, describes how the number of foreclosures
has dropped. According to the First Housing Scorecard of the year, foreclosures
are at the lowest level since 2005. Our firm is proud to say that we have
contributed to this success by obtaining over 200 loan modifications for our
clients since 2010. Many of our clients have received reduced payments by half
and have received principle reductions.
If
you are having a hard time paying your mortgage along with your other
obligations, our office will work with your mortgage company to lower your
mortgage loan payments to help you save more money.
If you
are struggling with more than just a mortgage payment and seem to be drowning
in debt with no relief in sight, bankruptcy might be the solution for you. Our
office will help navigate you through the bankruptcy process, and determine
which Chapter of Bankruptcy would fit your circumstances. This could include
eliminating a second mortgage; lowering interest rates or car payments and
discharging much of your debt altogether.
In
this New Year take back control of your finances. Our office will speak with
you for free for the first 30 minutes. What do you have to lose? Call our
office today, (678)-735-5487.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Christmas Cheer
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyesnKHo3NPjD6Ab7jUInWeF1gUXk0Wi_TTEsYegmZLAtzjlA0S0kpQLzjsxVOPUmC1tOqWrmX6JXg0oNkzasxMVJCZkk-NCwy4aQYwQsUva8aaMHx70yVnspw_AkG-ahoSEgKl46hGXA/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg)
In
the spirit of Christmas, our law firm is sponsoring a family in need
for Christmas. The family that we are sponsoring this year consists of a local
Atlanta grandmother and her grandchildren who have fallen on some hard times.
This grandmother was widowed a few years ago, and took on this enormous task of
raising her two special needs grandchildren and their sibling. She works
tirelessly and sacrifices daily for these three children in order to prevent
them from going into foster care and being separated. Our firm would love to
help them out this holiday season with your help.
Our
office will be accepting monetary donations as well as girls’ and boys’ toys,
clothes, food, and more. Trinity is age 7 and she wears a size 10, Trey is age
7 and he wears a size 8 and Joseph is age 10 and wears a size 12-14. The
children like to play with Legos, trucks, dolls and Wii games. We will be
collecting these donations by drop offs at our office or you can send a donation to our address during the whole week of December 16, 2013
through December 20, 2013. The address to drop off or send these donations is:
1580 Phoenix Blvd.
Ste. 275
Atlanta, GA 30349
If you can drop off, or send any donation, please
wrap it for the children to open up on Christmas morning!
Thank
you for helping our firm bless this family this Christmas. Happy holidays and
Merry Christmas from everyone here at the Law Firm of Gaines & Associates,
P.C.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Power of Attorney
A power of
attorney is a document that allows one person (the principal) to grant another
trusted individual (the agent) to act as an agent on his or her behalf in
making certain decisions. There are different types of power of attorney
appointments that can deal with making general decisions or limited decisions.
A power of attorney can be revoked at any time, but is terminated upon the
incapacitation or death of the principal.
A special type
of power of attorney is a durable power of attorney. A durable power of
attorney allows for the relationship between the principal and the agent to
remain in effect even if the principal becomes incapacitated.
There are two
types of durable power of attorney, immediate and springing. Immediate takes
effect as soon as the principal grants the power of attorney to the agent. The
springing takes effect once a specific event occurs, such as a disability of
the principal.
A general power
of attorney allows the appointed agent to handle the principal’s affairs for a
certain amount of time. These decisions can include, buying and selling
property, handling bank transactions, file tax returns, entering into
contracts, entering into security boxes and settling claims.
A limited power
of attorney allows the agent to act on behalf of the principal in specific
situations. Similar powers are granted as with a general power of attorney but
in addition a limited power of attorney can, sell personal property, collect
debts, sell, manage, mortgage property, and borrow money.
A health care
power of attorney allows the agent to make health care decisions on behalf of
the principal, if the principal is unconscious, mentally incompetent or unable
to make decisions on their own.
If you or your
loved ones need help with certain aspects of their daily lives please call our
office to learn more about granting a power of attorney. (678)-735-5487
Friday, November 22, 2013
Wills: “Show Your Family How Thankful You Are For Them”
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and here at the Law
Firm of Gaines & Associates, P.C. we want to wish everyone a Happy
Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the wonderful
people in your life. Our firm is so thankful for all our clientele and being
able to use our legal services to make a difference in your lives.
One thing we like to remind everyone about this time of year
is creating an estate plan for yourself and executing a will is one vital step
in the estate planning process. Completing a will is one of the most important
things you can do for your loved ones. It is generally a very easy and simple
process that gives you the peace of mind that your loved ones, whom you are so
thankful for, are going to be taken care of if you are no longer here with
them.
A will is a document that legally declares your wishes about
what happens to your property, and in some cases your minor children, after
your death. A will ensures that family, friends, or charities receive your property
according to your wishes. For parents with minor children, you can also name a
guardian and conservator in your will to care for your child and manage
property on his/her behalf in the event of your death. A will is for everyone
regardless of how many assets you have or do not have. If you are reading this
right now, you need a will! You cannot assume that your wishes will be carried
out how you expect or that your assets will automatically pass on to the
correct recipient.
If one passes without a will (which is called dying “intestate”)
then the assets are distributed and children are cared for according to state laws.
You do not want to leave this crucial matter up to a government that knows
nothing about you or your family’s needs. Ensuring that the person you want
receives your assets is only guaranteed by having a Last Will and Testament in
place.
For this holiday season think about putting a will in place
and be comforted by the peace of mind that you control what will happen with
your possessions. Our firm’s estate planning services are very affordable and are
personalized to your needs and desires.
If you have questions about wills and our other estate
planning services please give our office a call at (678)-735-5487, and let
Gaines & Associates help take care of the people you are thankful for this
holiday season.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Truth about Loan Modifications
Loan
modifications are when mortgage agreements are modified to help homeowners
lower their monthly mortgage payments, and stay in their homes. At the Law Firm
of Gaines & Associates, we work hard to keep our clients in their homes. We
do not stop trying to obtain loan modifications from the banks on behalf of our
clients.
In 2009 the U.S.
government passed the Financial Stability Act and the Making Homes Affordable
Program or HAMP emerged from this act. The HAMP program is set up to help
millions of homeowners keep their homes and stay out of foreclosure by working
with banks to lower homeowners mortgage payments.
Obtaining a loan modification can be difficult on your own because it is time consuming. Loan servicing companies ask for multiple documents from the borrower, and if you do not have time to call the mortgage lender constantly, your loan modification can fall by the waste side.
Our office is
more than familiar with the requirements for HAMP and we have successfully
obtained over 200 loan modifications since 2009. If you are behind on your mortgage payments please give our office a call so
we can assist you in making the right decisions. (678)-735-5487
Visit our website for information regarding loan modifications and assistance.
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