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  • Blog or Newsletter Disclaimer: The information and material contained in this document does not constitute legal advice and are provided for informational purposes only.

Am I entitled to receive Social Security benefits from my spouse after divorce?

As part of their post-divorce financial planning, clients often ask whether they can receive a portion of their spouse’s Social Security payments.

Answer:  Yes, if you meet the requirements. 

The best part is that it doesn’t impact your spouse’s Social Security in any way.

Keep in mind that you can’t get your spouse’s Social Security in addition to your own, so this benefit was really designed to ensure that homemakers have another source of funds in retirement because it will only benefit you if your spouse’s Social Security payments would be higher than your own.

In order to qualify to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record:

  • you must be divorced;
  • your marriage must have lasted 10 years or longer;
  • you must have not remarried;
  • you must be at least 62 years old;
  • your ex-spouse must be entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits; and
  • Your own Social Security benefit would be lower than the one your spouse is entitled to receive.  A spouse that meets these qualifications can receive up to 50% of their former spouse’s full retirement rate.  Claiming a ex-spouse’s rate prevents you from claiming your own rate, which is why you should elect to claim the higher rate.  For more information on what elections you should make in order to maximize your Social Security benefits visit the Social Security website here.

–Sean

Ask Me Anything: Session 101

Ask Me Anything: Session 101

Presented By
The School Law Team of Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C.

Elizabeth L. Polay invites administrators to this informative webinar on buzz-worthy issues surrounding Special Education. Please join us for this first session as we kick off the series!

Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 2pm

Elizabeth intends for this webinar to include a round-table discussion where Districts are welcome to contribute to the conversation. You may provide any questions in advance to Jessaka Keen at jkeen@ghrlawyers.com.

RSVP by September 6, 2022, to jkeen@ghrlawyers.com or call 503-581-1501.

This webinar is free of charge.

Unable to attend? Keep an eye out for a follow-up email after the session for a link to the recording.

Elizabeth L. Polay invites administrators to a series of informative webinars regarding Special Education

Ask Me Anything Webinar Series
*Special Education Edition*

Elizabeth L. Polay invites administrators to a series of informative webinars regarding Special Education. The webinars will be held the 2nd Thursday of every* month from 2:00pm – 2:45pm.

Save the following dates:
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Thursday, October 13 ,2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Thursday, December 1, 2022*
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Thursday, April 20, 2023*
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023

*The April and December sessions will be held on alternate Thursday’s due to scheduling conflicts.

Elizabeth Polay will address buzz-worthy topics surrounding Special Education. These webinars will be round-table style and Districts are invited to contribute to the conversation. Questions and discussion topics are welcome in advance and can be submitted to Jessaka Keen at jkeen@ghrlawyers.com.

We welcome you to invite others who may benefit from this series by forwarding this email. We will email the invitation for each session one week in advance.

Unable to attend?
Keep an eye out for our follow-up email after the session for a link to the recording.

These webinars are free of charge. If there are any questions regarding the upcoming schedule, please email jkeen@ghrlawyers.com or call our office at (503) 581-1501.

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Ryan Hunt Honored as Recipient Of American Bar Association Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award

SALEM, OREGON – Ryan Hunt, prominent Family Law, and Estate Planning attorney, was presented with the ABA Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award by the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) for extraordinary pro bono service. The award is presented to an individual attorney, law firm, or law departments. An individual attorney who has provided exceptional service and accepted or completed three or more cases with 50 or more pro bono hours is eligible for the award.

“This award is a true honor” Mr. Hunt said, “and I am proud to serve and assist our active duty service members.”

Mr. Hunt is a partner at Garrett Hemann Robertson PC in Salem, Oregon, has served on the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors, and was awarded the Oregon Super Lawyers’ Rising Star award nearly seven years in a row. Mr. Hunt graduated from University of Oregon Law School in 2002, and has been a member of the Oregon Board of Governors since 2020.

Kim Hoyt is Selected President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Board Of Trial Advocates

Kim HoytKim Hoyt, leading Oregon civil trial attorney, was selected Oregon Chapter President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and began her term of office on January 1, 2021.

ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of 7,600 experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. ABOTA’s primary goal is to educate the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury and is dedicated to elevating the standards of skill, integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.

“I am honored to serve as President of the Oregon Chapter of ABOTA,” Ms. Hoyt said, “and I look forward to working with our members to advocate for effective representation for all litigants and the efficient administration of justice.”

Ms. Hoyt is a senior litigation partner at Garrett Hemann & Robertson P.C. in Salem, Oregon, where she served as Managing Partner from February 2015 to December 2020. She is widely considered one of the best litigators in Oregon and a seasoned trial lawyer with a deft touch and a deep reservoir of experience, compassion, and the ability to see all sides of a difficult situation. Prior to becoming an attorney, she studied at Willamette University College of Law. She graduated in 1991. After passing the bar exam, she was admitted to legal practice in 1991.

Garrett Hemann & Robertson P.C. is a law firm in Salem, Oregon comprised of litigation powerhouses, public law experts, savvy legal advisors to businesses, leaders in family law dedicated to the delivering legal expertise by focusing from the client’s point of view.

Legislative School Law Update 2019

Rebekah Jacobson, Kelly Noor and Elizabeth Polay

By Rebekah R. Jacobson, Kelly D. Noor, and Elizabeth L. Polay

The 2019 Oregon Legislature passed several bills which affect school districts, ESDs, and charter schools effecting changes on topics such as reporting requirements, pay equity, retirement reporting, PERS, collective bargaining, workplace harassment, sexual conduct, special education terminology, suicide prevention plans, student restraints, voluntary foster care placements, mental health absences, instructional materials, and the student success act. We summarized the major legislation changes and technical bills which affect school districts here.

The 2019 Oregon Legislature passed several bills. Read the full article for an explanation of the Legislature’s changes.

Super Lawyers

Dentinger, Comstock, Hoyt and Pollino Selected to 2018 Oregon Super Lawyers List

Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C. congratulates Tammy Dentinger, Mark Comstock, Kim Hoyt and John Pollino for being selected to the Thomson Reuters 2018 Oregon Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of lawyers statewide are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. These lawyers are nominated by their peers and selected for demonstrating excellence within their practice areas.

Tammy Dentinger joins the 2018 Oregon Super Lawyers list for the twelfth consecutive year. Ms. Dentinger has practiced family law for over 20 years and is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mark Comstock joins the 2018 Oregon Super Lawyers list for the sixth year. Mr. Comstock has been representing parties in business, civil and commercial litigation for more than 35 years. Kim Hoyt was selected for the fourth consecutive year for excellence in employment law. For the past 26 years, Ms. Hoyt has defended businesses and public entities against employment and discrimination claims. Ms. Hoyt currently serves as the firm’s managing officer and serves on the executive committee of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. John Pollino has been selected for the third consecutive year. For over 25 years, Mr. Pollino has represented clients in professional negligence matters, business disputes and other complex civil litigation. Mr. Pollino is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. For more information about these lawyers, visit www.ghrlawyers.com.

Dentinger, Hoyt, Pollino and Hunt Selected to 2016 Oregon Super Lawyers List

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Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C. congratulates Tammy Dentinger, Kim Hoyt, John Pollino and Ryan Hunt for being selected to the Thomson Reuters 2016 Oregon Super Lawyers list.  Each year, no more than five percent of lawyers statewide are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. These lawyers are nominated by their peers and selected for excellence within their practice areas.

Tammy Dentinger was included on the 2016 Oregon Super Lawyers list for the tenth consecutive year.  Ms. Dentinger has practiced family law for over 20 years and is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.  Kim Hoyt was selected for inclusion to the 2016 Oregon Super Lawyers list for her work in employment law.  After 24 years, Ms. Hoyt continues to defend business owners and public entities in state and federal court.  Ms. Hoyt currently serves as the firm’s Managing Officer.  John Pollino is a trial lawyer representing clients in professional malpractice matters, business disputes and other complex civil litigation.  Ms. Hoyt and Mr. Pollino are also members of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges.  Ryan Hunt was also selected for inclusion to the 2016 Oregon Super Lawyers list as a Rising Star.  Mr. Hunt represents parties in family law, personal injury, and construction defect claims.  Ms. Dentinger, Mr. Pollino and Mr. Hunt are AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell.  For more information about these lawyers, visit www.ghrlawyers.com.

Super Lawyers

Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C. congratulates Tammy Dentinger, Kim Hoyt and Ryan Hunt for being named Thomson Reuters 2015 Super Lawyers.  Each year, no more than 5% of lawyers statewide are designated as a Super Lawyer. These lawyers are nominated by their peers and selected for excellence within their practice areas.Tammy Dentinger was selected as a Super Lawyer for the ninth consecutive year.  Ms. Dentinger has practiced family law for over 20 years and is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.  Kim Hoyt was selected as a Super Lawyer for her work in employment law.  For the past 24 years, Ms. Hoyt has defended business owners and public entities in state and federal court.  Ms. Hoyt is also the firm’s Managing Officer.  For the sixth year, Ryan Hunt was named by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star.  Mr. Hunt litigates construction defect claims on behalf of businesses and public entities and is Martindale Hubbell AV rated.  For more information about these lawyers, visit www.ghrlawyers.com.

IRS SCRUTINIZES FARM RENTAL INCOME

Theresa M. Wade

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is planning to make important changes in regards to the manner in which the IRS treats income derived from rental agreements between farming entities renting land from individuals owning an interest in such farming entity.  Specifically, the IRS plans to inspect and audit farmer tax returns for evidence of these types of arrangements, and assess self-employment tax on related net rental earnings for the current tax year.

Rental income is typically considered “passive income” and exempt from self-employment tax, however, if an individual land owner “materially participates” in the farming operations, either through crop share arrangements, or actual production of the commodities or the management of production, that material participation could trigger self-employment tax.

This circumstance often arises when a farmer who owns real estate leases it to an entity through which the farmer performs farming activities on the leased property.  Many farmers using such a lease arrangement for their real estate elect to report the net rental income as a passive activity under the general real estate rental rule and do not pay self-employment tax on their net rental income.

Under the new IRS position, the lessor will no longer have the option as to whether to report the rental income derived from the lease as self-employment income.  If the farmer-lessor materially participates as an owner in the business entity farming the property, earnings under the lease arrangement will be subject to self-employment tax.  It does not matter the type of business entity farming the property, whether partnership, LLC or corporation.

If the situation described above applies to you, please contact Theresa M. Wade at twade@ghrlawyers.com or at 503-581-1501 to discuss proper application of the material participation regulations and whether another solution may be pursued to accomplish your business and tax objectives.

 

ESTATE PLANNING UPDATE

Update on Estate Planning with Digital Assets

By Theresa M. Wade

           This article describes the changes in the use of social media, attempts by the legislature to provide default language in the event of disability or death of an account holder, and steps that you can take to ensure that appropriate people have access to your digital assets in the event you are unable to monitor or manage them, whether as a result of disability, absence for an extended period of time or death.

Digital assets include all electronic communications, information and documents stored in electronic memory, but do not include the underlying asset or hardware.

Digital assets are “intangible” under Oregon law.  Some assets may have value (such as an online “PayPal” or similar account, Internet business account, or “bitcoins”).  Other digital assets may have no dollar value but great sentimental value, such as photographs, music selection, and email exchanges with friends and family.

You may have signed a service agreement (or electronically “checked the box”) which imposes restrictions on who may access the account on your behalf or allows the digital asset manager or service provider with complete control over the asset or account upon notification of the incapacity or death of the owner/user.  The following is a sampling of current service contract provisions for a variety of digital assets:

iCloud – This account has no right of survivorship. By entering into the service agreement, you agree that your rights to this account are not transferable, and Apple has the right to delete your account upon receipt of a copy of your death certificate.

Source: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms/html

Yahoo! – Continues to deny access to an owner’s account absent a court order.  Yahoo has taken the position that this account has no right of survivorship and cannot be transferred.  Yahoo reserves the right to simply delete your account and all content upon notice of your death.

Source: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index

Google – Google, which operates Gmail, requires a written request for access to a deceased user’s account. You must give specific instructions to Google relating to who should have access to your information and whether you want your account to be deleted upon notification of your death.  Google uses an “inactive account manager” for these purposes.  However, use of the inactive account manager or written instructions to Google will not necessarily be honored.  Google reviews each request on a case-by-case analysis.

Source: https://suppport.google.com/accounts/contact/deceased?rd=1

Microsoft Outlook – Microsoft, which manages not only Outlook but Hotmail, Live.com, Windows Live.com and msn.com, has a “next of kin process,” which allows the release of the contents of an Outlook account, including emails and attachments, address book and contact lists to the next of kin following an authentication process.  Microsoft will not provide a password to the account, or change the existing password or transfer the account to anyone else.  The contents of the Outlook account are transferred to a DVD, which is sent to the next of kin.

To prove the identity as next of kin an individual must submit an original death certificate for the user (if deceased), a certified document signed by a medical professional in charge of the case (if the user is incapacitated), and a government-issued document proving next of kin relationship, or executor status (which could include a marriage certificate for the surviving spouse, a birth certificate for the user if the next of kin is a parent, or signed power of attorney which includes authority of the agent to receive this information).

The information required by Microsoft in order to gain access once next of kin status is proven, consists of eight pieces of information, including the email address, first and last names of the account holder, date of birth used by the account holder, city, state and zip code of the account holder’s residence, approximate date when the account was created, the next of kin’s contact information, and the type of computer in use (PC, Mac, etc.).

Source:  http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/oaccount-omyinfo/my-family-member-died-recently-is-in-coma-what-do/308cedece-5444-4185-82e8-0623ecc1d3d6

Facebook – Facebook will transfer a user’s site into “memorial status” upon notification of death, but will not provide information for anyone to edit the account after death.  Verified immediate family members may request the removal of an account from Facebook, but have no other access or rights to the content.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/help/150486848354038

Senate Bill 369 has been introduced into the Senate to enact the “Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act” (UFADAA).  This act would authorize fiduciaries (agents under power of attorney, personal representatives in an estate, trustees under a trust, and conservators of a fiscally incapable individual) to access electronic communications and digital assets of their principal (the incapacitated individual, deceased testator or deceased settlor).  This act would establish procedures for obtaining access and control of digital assets, regardless of the service agreement that the individual may have signed when opening the account or establishing the asset.  UFADAA would allow the fiduciary access to these accounts and assets, under the same restrictions that a fiduciary has for all other tangible assets, in that the information or digital asset would be used only for the benefit of the principal in cases where the principal was unable to take those actions for himself or herself.  If UFADAA is enacted, estate planning will be relatively simple in that UFADAA provides a default provision in the Oregon statutes.  Specific language within your estate plan documents would not otherwise be required, unless you had a specific concern or wished to limit the types of accounts that your fiduciary might have access to.  In those instances, specific information would need to be included in your estate plan documents.

If a bill like UFADAA is not enacted, then your estate plan documents must provide specific authority for your fiduciary to take these same steps.

It is critical that a list be maintained, and made available to a trusted family member or fiduciary, reflecting the username and password for each of these assets.  Further documentation would be prepared by your legal counsel, tailored to your specific needs, wishes and circumstances, to assist your fiduciary in carrying out your wishes with respect to these assets.

If you would like help preserving your digital assets, or to discuss other business succession or estate planning tools, please contact Theresa M. Wade at Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C. at twade@ghrlawyers.com or at (503) 581-1501.

 

 

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