Protect your pockets: Avoiding common foreclosure fraud schemes
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments a person can make. Owning a house can provide a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of security. As a result, the thought of losing one’s home can be daunting. The truth of the matter is that your home can be seen as a promising investment for swindlers willing to take advantage of you in this time when making your payments may be difficult. Read the rest of this entry »
Protect yourself from identity theft during the holiday season
This may be the season for giving, but for identity thieves, the holidays are a pretty good time for taking — and what they take may belong to you. However, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of being victimized — if you take the right steps.
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Are you the executor?
Aunt Ima Goner has passed to her reward and you have been designated in her Last Will and Testament as the executor (personal representative). What now?
This article will explain what you must do to probate your aunt’s estate. If there is no will, usually the family agrees on the person to serve as personal representative.
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Be choosy with your trust: Keep an eye out for affinity fraud
Submitted by Todd Rokita
Secretary of State
In these turbulent economic times, most consumers are appropriately more guarded with their investments. They may be doing more research and choosing to pursue opportunities from trusted sources — like people they know.
Unfortunately, the economy has created an environment ripe with opportunity for one of the oldest types of scams — affinity fraud.
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Bright House, WISH-TV reach agreement
WISH-TV and parent company LIN TV Corp. have granted rebroadcasting rights to Bright House Networks, a deal that will return local and network CBS programming – including Indianapolis Colts games – to the TV sets of more than 125,000 Bright House Networks customers in central Indiana. Read the rest of this entry »
Terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
Heartland plans future branch
Heartland Community Bank has completed the purchase of the vacant banking office at 215 N. U.S. 31 in New Whiteland. The office is being renovated, and plans are to have it opened before the end of the year. Charlana Fenwick has been named the Branch Manager. Martha McGaha will be the Assistant Branch Manager. Nikki Schlenz, Julie Skinner, Molly Vance and Nita Louzon are the other members of the staff. Heartland Community Bank will make this a full service bank office with a drive-up ATM and Safe Deposit boxes.
Sorting out the mysteries of probate
Probate is not a four-letter word, but many consider it just as odious. Avoiding probate may be attainable by which of the following:
A. Dying without any solely owned property Read the rest of this entry »
B. Dying with only $50,000 in solely owned property
C. Dying with all assets paid on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD)
D. Dying with jointly-owned assets
E. Dying with all assets in a revocable trust
Eliminate regrets in financial decisions
How many times do we find ourselves saying, “I know I should have (or shouldn’t have) done that but…?” This article may help you avoid saying that too often. Here is the second article on a miscellany of legal advice.
Fine print taketh away. Let’s be honest. Most of the time we sign legal documents, such as a lease, employment contract, contract to purchase a house, etc., after a cursory scan. These documents represent legal and financial obligations and should be fully understood. Granted, there may be too much legalese (which may require the services of an attorney to interpret), but ignorance is not bliss and can be expensive. Most contracts are drafted to fully protect one party, and that party is the other guy. Don’t hesitate to ask for changes, and walk away if the answer is no.
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Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que celebrates grand opening
Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que will celebrate their Grand Opening in Greenwood with local VIPs and a special appearance of a local firehouse truck during their special “rib-cutting” ceremony at the new location, 8820 U.S. 31 South, at 10:45 a.m. on October 20. Having won more than 300 awards for everything from best sauce to best ribs, Famous Dave’s has received wide acclaim and praise from guests and critics alike.
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What should you do?
Most of us don’t plan as well as we should. That is to be expected. We are human; therefore we err. This article and the next focus on what not to do — and what we should do.
Who’s your beneficiary? The new widow expected to benefit from her husband’s life insurance, which she knew was substantial. The procrastinating husband of 20 years hadn’t changed the policy’s beneficiary from his ex-wife (who was grateful). You should make sure that all insurance policies and retirement accounts and your will are up-to-date.
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