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Acerca de Back SELLING OR BUYING A BUSINESS Sale or Acquisition of a Business The sale or purchase of a business is a milestone for many owners, representing the culmination of years of work and planning Buschkin Law Firm can help structure the deal, collaborating with your accountant or other tax advisor so that it is tax efficient and minimizes liability exposure, alert you to potential problems and uncertainties that may arise from financing or regulatory hurdles, and negotiate the most favourable terms for you. At Buschkin Law Firm, we want to have a closer relationship with our clients and be a more integral part of the team, we cherish these relationships, and feel honoured that these companies have chosen us to be a part of their growth and success. Comprehensive Counsel Before the actual purchase of a business, it is important that due diligence is completed. This includes thoroughly investigating the company that you are interested in purchasing, reviewing major contracts, documentation, leases, and more to ensure that there are no major problems or surprises that will occur after the purchase is made. The outcome of due diligence often has a significant impact on the price that you pay, as well as the terms and conditions. We can help you through this process and make sure that you are fully informed about what you are acquiring before any finalizations are made. What we do At Buschkin Law Firm, we handle all the legal aspects of buying or selling your company. FOR BUYERS: Reviewing & negotiating the Purchase & Sale Agreement. Explaining the Purchase & Sale Agreement to the buyer. Conducting due diligence to ensure that the Company is legally registered and will not be violating any leases or contracts upon the transfer of ownership. Ordering a lien & judgment search to determine that there are no liens, judgments or tax liens against the company or the seller. Corresponding with the seller’s attorney & other parties. Preparing & reviewing all legal documents for the closing. Representing the buyer at closing. FOR SELLERS: Preparation & negotiation of the Purchase & Sale Agreement. Explaining the Purchase & Sale Agreement to the seller. Corresponding with the buyer’s attorney & other parties. Preparing & reviewing all legal documents for the closing. Escrowing of funds. Representing the seller at closing. If you are the buyer, you face the following risks if you do not retain an attorney: Business may not be legally registered. Business is or may be in violation of state or federal laws, in breach of existing contracts and may be in breach of its existing leases if the transfer is not properly conducted. Seller or the business may have liens or judgments that might be your responsibility upon the transfer of the business. Seller might be past due on taxes and the obligation to pay might fall on you If you are the seller, you face the following risks if you do not retain an attorney: Documents that you sign may put an obligation on you to be responsible for the business in the future, even if you will no longer be running the business or deriving a profit from it. If you have a lease, you probably made a personal guarantee. If the buyer stops paying rent in the future, you will still be personally liable. An arrangement for the buyer to pay in instalments may not go as planned. How will you be protected if the buyer stops paying? The buyer’s attorney will want you to prepare certain legal documents for the transfer. Are you able to prepare them without an attorney? Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back STRUCTURING BUSINESS ENTITIES: Relationships Among Principals Which entity works for your business? S Corporation, C Corporation, Limited Partnership, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Not-For-Profit Corporation? We will help you and your accountant make this decision and we will form your entity for you. You should have an agreement among yourselves to ensure that all of the issues are covered in order for you or any partner/shareholders who wish so be able represent themselves properly during matters at court. Issues covered in the agreement can be: How are decisions made? How will money be invested? What happens if one of the principals wants to sell his or her interest in the business What happens if a principal becomes disabled, or dies; how will his or her interest in the business be dealt with? You may be in need of our help to understand these and other issues. We're here for you with any task that requires discussion or negotiation. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability This is an Employment Based green card category and is available to individuals who are a member of professions holding an advanced degree or those who have exceptional ability. This page deals with an EB-2 through the National Interest Waiver process The employer can petition but the applicant can also self petition. The first step in the process is to assess whether or not you qualify under the advanced degree criteria or Exceptional Ability. The National Interest Waiver category (NIW) requires proof that your work is of “substantial merit” and “national importance” and that you will be coming to the U.S. to continue the type of work you have been doing overseas, ensuring it continues to constitute “substantial merit” and “national importance”. In addition, it must be shown that the applicant's “prospective endeavor” in the U.S. is so important that using the traditional route of filing a labor application would be detrimental to at least a segment of the U.S. population. Requirements and eligibility DOCUMENTATION When you attend an interview at your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy for your immigrant visa, you will be asked to bring with you a number of documents. These may include the following: A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of entry into the U.S. The confirmation page of the DS-260 (Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application) Two 2×2 photographs that meet U.S. Visa standards Any relevant immigration documents received after your petition was filed A letter from your employer confirming employment Completed Medical Examination and Proof of Vaccination Forms Marriage and birth certificates if you are interviewing with your family who will also come with you to the U.S. All documents submitted should be in their original form. These will be given back to you usually at the end of the interview. Application Process To qualify for an EB-2 visa, your employer must file a Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker. An NIW petition can be filed by an employer or can be a self petition. If the green card category is current for the applicant, the I-485 can also be filed at the same time as the I-140. In addition, the applicant can apply for work authorization and the ability to travel. The following evidence should be submitted with Form I-485: Two passport-style photos Copy of approval notice for Form I-612, Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended) Copy of Form I-797, Approval notice for I-140 Copy of birth certificate or other records of your birth Copies of all passport pages with nonimmigrant visas Evidence of final compliance with the 3 or 5 years service requirement to be submitted no later than 120 days after the completion of the service requirement (Evidence of compliance must be submitted at intervals while the I-485 is pending) Form I-693, Medical Examination and Vaccination Record Photocopy of the Form I-797 Approval Notices for all extensions and changes of status Photocopy of the Form I-20 or IAP 66 school records (front and back, including all school annotations) Applicable fees Form G-28, if you have an attorney representing your case Period of stay / Family These are green cards so as long as you meet the residency requirements and do not violate the terms of the visa you can keep them for life. Your spouse and children can all join in the green card process. During the process where you and your spouse are applying for permanent resident status (status as a green card holder), your spouse is eligible to file for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back AREA DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS Area Development Agreements provide a special challenge: What are the “criteria” that must be met in order to keep to the development schedule? What happens to existing locations if the remaining schedule is not met? Will they have protected areas and if so, what will they be? If a default occurs with respect to one of your units, will it affect your other (non-defaulting) units or not? Who will be obligated with respect to the Development Agreement and what will the extent of responsibility be? With our help, you can address all these and other issues in your Area Development Agreement. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Multinational Manager or Executive The EB-1C Visa targets management and executive level employees seeking permanent residency in the United States, also known as a Green Card. It is an excellent option for business leaders from around the world wishing to relocate with their family to the United States. Eligibility Your U.S. employer must file USCIS Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker. As part of the application process, your employer must be able to demonstrate a continuing ability to pay the offered wage as of the priority date. Your employer may use an annual report, federal income tax return, or audited financial statement to demonstrate a continuing ability to pay your wage. EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS Must have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company. Must conduct business in the United States and in one other country. The business may be done directly or through a subsidiary. Must exist for at least one year in the United States. EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS Must have been employed outside the United States with the related foreign company for 1 year in the preceding 3 years. The employment must have been in a managerial or executive capacity. Must provide evidence that he/she is of managerial or executive capacity, for example: Manage a function or a department of the organization Supervise the work of others as well as hire and fire subordinates Be able to control the daily activities and salaries of employees Provide evidence that you have managerial or executive capacity: Be able to direct managers in your organization Make far-reaching decisions without substantial supervision Establish large-scale goals and policies DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Applicant: Evidence of permanent job offers from U.S. employers. Ability to conduct business in an executive or managerial capacity. Resume Diploma Confirmation documentation to verify the transfer Affirmation of applicant’s managerial or executive position. U.S. Employer Business License Incorporation documents Business plan Organization charts Accounting Reports (Audited Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cast Flow) Description and letterhead of company business Pictures of main office, factories, and buildings (Outside and inside) Bank Statements Organization Structure Proof of business transactions Articles of incorporation Income taxes for the past 3 years Lease of business location Stock certificates Green Card Process STEP 1: YOUR U.S. EMPLOYER MUST FILE USCIS FORM I-140, PETITION FOR ALIEN WORKER As part of the application process, your employer must be able to demonstrate a continuing ability to pay the offered wage as of the priority date. Your employer may use an annual report, federal income tax return, or audited financial statement to demonstrate a continuing ability to pay your wage. STEP 2: OUTSIDE THE U.S. YOU WILL NEED TO GO THROUGH CONSULAR PROCESSING Make an appointment with the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country and travel there for an interview with a consular officer. You will need to complete the DS-260 online immigrant visa application and bring the printed confirmation page to your interview. If the officer clears you, then you will be able to travel to the U.S. under legal permanent resident status. After a brief background check, the officer at the U.S. port of entry (border, seaport, or airport) will stamp your passport for entry. Your EB-1C green card will be mailed to you shortly. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back BUYING A FRANCHISE The terms and conditions of your franchise agreement (and all other relevant documents) will be reviewed with you. Some of the issues that should be considered include: The length of the agreement and whether or not renewal is allowed are both important considerations when choosing an exclusive territory license; Requirements (including deadlines) to open the franchise; Refundability (or not) of the franchise fee; The franchiser’s trademarks; Conditions surrounding the opening of your franchised unit; Restrictions on transfer; Default/termination provisions; Requirements to refurbish/renovate the location; Venue and choice of law provisions with respect to dispute resolution. We will provide you with a comprehensive analysis of our insights and conclusions, along with any necessary modifications to ensure your agreement meets the standards set by franchisers. We can also assist in negotiating these changes if purchasing an existing franchise business. We will review (or prepare) the purchase agreement and other necessary documents, negotiate the appropriate modifications and work with you through and after the closing. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Asylum & Refugee Asylum may be granted to individuals already in the United States who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group (including sexual orientation), or political opinion. If you are granted asylum, you will be allowed to live and work in the United States. You will be able to apply for permanent residency one year after you are granted asylum. Benefits of Asylum Individuals granted Asylum are protected from being returned to his or her home country and will be authorized to work in the United States. The greatest benefit is that after one year of obtaining approval, you may apply for lawful permanent resident status also known as applying for a green card. Furthermore, after four years have passed after obtaining your green card, you can proceed to apply for U.S. Citizenship Asylum vs Refugee Status While some people use these terms interchangeably it’s necessary to point out that there are in fact distinct differences. First of all, they are both considered protections to foreign individuals who feel their safety is in jeopardy if they return to their home country. Those who are currently outside the United States, they should apply for refugee status Those who are already in the United States either through a visa or illegal methods, should seek asylum status. Both of these options, if approved by the government, would permit an individual to stay in the country indefinitely. Requirements & Eligibility ELIGIBILITY To be eligible for an Asylum Green Card, you must satisfy four conditions: You must have been physically present in the United States for at least one year. You must continue to meet the definition of a refugee. You must not have resettled in any other country, and You must not be deemed inadmissible. PERSECUTION MUST BE CONNECTED TO A PROTECTED GROUND It is important to understand that being a victim of violence in a country considered to be unsafe because of general violent conditions, civil strife, or war will likely not be enough to succeed on an asylum claim. Instead, the persecution suffered or feared to be suffered must be on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. In these cases, evidence should include that the group exists, and that individuals in the group share characteristics that are unchangeable and are recognized as socially distinct in a relevant society. Examples of evidence that helps focus on demonstrating persecution focused on a claimed group may include: In gender-based claims, evidence of social norms that prevent group members with the same gender from severing legal or social ties with a spouse or partner. Evidence of the unwillingness of government institutions or families to protect members of a particular group through the police or court system. Evidence of the unwillingness of the government to provide assistance, including through relocation, of members of a particular group. Evidence of widespread and tolerated violence against certain groups. These types of evidence potentially serve to prove that a group shares unchangeable characteristics that are recognized within the society the group lives within and whose shared characteristics form the basis of the persecution. PERSECUTION DISQUALIFYING FACTORS An Applicant must file the Asylum Application within one year of having arrived in the United States. There are certain exceptions that will allow for filing of the application past the one-year deadline. For most of these delays caused by the applicant, the clock will be stopped until the next interview date except for failing to appear at an interview or failing to appear in person to receive and acknowledge the decision. In the cases where an applicant is required to appear to receive the Asylum application and the applicant fails to appear to receive the decision, the clock will stop until the case is referred to the Immigration Court where it will restart at the first hearing before the Immigration Judge unless the applicant causes another delay. Certain past acts may also disqualify an applicant from Asylum relief. These acts include convictions for particularly serious crimes suck as commission of a serious non-political crime outside the United States, acts that create a reason or reasons to believe that the applicant is a danger to the security of the United States and participation in terrorist activities or persecution of others. Application process FILING FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE (GREEN CARD) You may apply for a Green Card one year after being granted asylum. To apply for a Green Card, file a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status. You must submit a separate I-485 application packet for yourself and, if applicable, for each family member who received derivative asylum based on your case. In order to be eligible for a Green Card as an asylee, you must meet the following requirements: You properly file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; You are physically present in the United States at the time you file your Form I-485; You have been physically present in the United States for at least one year after you were granted asylum; You continue to meet the definition of a refugee, or to be the spouse or child of a refugee; You have not firmly resettled in any foreign country; Your grant of asylum has not been terminated; You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief; and You merit the favourable exercise of discretion. Period of Stay and Family Asylum ultimately results in a green card so it does not have an expiration and is granted for an indefinite period. However, a beneficiary of Asylum status can lose status if one of the following circumstances occur: USCIS determines that the Asylum application was based on fraud. The Asylum beneficiary committed an act that violates Immigration Law that subjects the beneficiary to removal from the United States. The Asylum beneficiary no longer meets the definition of a refugee. The Asylum beneficiary has ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The Asylum beneficiary constitutes a danger to the community of the United States, if convicted of a particularly serious crime. The Asylum beneficiary Committed a serious non-political crime outside the United States prior to arriving in the United States. The Asylum beneficiary is a danger to the security of the United States, including terrorist activity. The Asylum beneficiary may be removed, to a country (other than the country of the applicant’s nationality or last habitual residence) in which the applicant’s life or freedom would not be threatened on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, where the applicant is eligible to receive asylum or equivalent temporary protection; The Asylum beneficiary Has voluntarily availed himself or herself of the protection of the country of nationality or last habitual residence by returning to such country with permanent resident status or the reasonable possibility of obtaining such status with the same rights and obligations pertaining to other permanent residents of that country; or Asylum beneficiary Has acquired a new nationality and enjoys the protection of the country of his new nationality. A Spouse and children under 21 years of age who are present in the United States can obtain Asylum status with the Applicant’s primary Asylum application. If the spouse and children are outside of the United States, after approval, the Asylum Beneficiary can petition for the family seeking status filing form I-730 within 2 years of obtaining Asylum protection status Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back FRANCHISE LAW Whether taking a proactive role in helping clients to prevent future disputes, representing members of an organization in a corporate dissolution, or handling complex business litigation in a state or federal court – Buschkin Law Firm prides itself on providing clients with uncompromising advocacy and respected professionalism in all aspects of legal representation. If you are looking to buy a franchise, then caution should be exercised before leaping into the opportunity so as to avoid potential risks. Understand the commitment you are undertaking and your rights and obligations as a franchisee. Buschkin Law Firm can help in all aspects of franchise law. If you are a potential franchisee, your business documents are key. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that they are valid, comprehensive and fair before you make a purchase decision. At Buschkin Law Firm, through meticulous contract review and negotiation, we will work to protect your interests. The trademark is the cornerstone of what you are buying with a franchise investment. Our Firm will check that the trademark is a live, valid, federally registered trademark. This process involves checking state records to ensure there will be no trademark infringement claim brought against you. We will also learn about the background of the people and company along with the franchisor’s litigation and bankruptcy disclosures, among other records. In addition, we will review the terms of the franchise agreement and explain the franchisor’s obligations to the franchisees and vice versa. At Buschkin Law Firm, we are prepared to put our experience and insight to work for you as you enter into the world of franchise ownership. Franchise law encompasses rules and regulations at both the state and federal levels. It is essential to have someone on your side who understands this complex network and the impact these laws may have on your business venture. When you come to us, we will provide comprehensive, personalized representation at every stage of the process. This includes setting up your legal entity for you and helping negotiate the commercial lease for your business. Franchise Disclosure Document Read More Franchise Rule Read More Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US SERVICES SETTING UP A FRANCHISE SYSTEM Read More FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE ISSUES Read More BUYING A FRANCHISE Read More SELLING A FRANCHISE Read More FRANCHISEE ASSOCIATIONS Read More DISPUTE RESOLUTION Read More AREA DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS Read More PROTECTED MARKETING AREAS Read More REAL ESTATE ASPECTS OF FRANCHISING Read More STRUCTURING BUSINESS ENTITIES Read More

Back ASSET PROTECTION Preserving wealth can be difficult. Your assets can be affected by legal risks that you and your loved ones might be exposed to. We can help with creating planning strategies designed to protect your individual assets. HOW WE CAN HELP: Evaluate legal risks your assets are exposed to Design and implement a comprehensive asset protection plan Create a strategy to protect your assets for multiple generations Successful people know that preserving wealth is sometimes more difficult than creating it. The risk exposure of your assets is largely determined by financial and managerial decisions, but it can also be affected by legal risks you and your loved ones might be exposed to. Originally developed for professionals, business owners, and investors, asset protection services are now just as important for ordinary people seeking to preserve the wealth accumulated during their productive life. Widespread use of personal guaranties by banks and creditors has created overwhelming personal exposure for most business owners and investors. Several factors have increased the need for proper asset protection planning, including professional and personal liability, frequent abuses of the legal system, and aggressive tactics employed by unscrupulous creditors and other third parties. A proper asset protection analysis will evaluate present solvency issues and identify the best legal structure for allocating and holding your assets, using multiple tools and techniques available under law. Unfortunately, there are common misconceptions about the security of home equity, 401k, IRA, and 529 plans, insurance and annuity products, trusts, joint checking accounts, and various other assets and investment vehicles. For that reason, it is crucial to understand the risks associated with holding or transferring your assets without proper planning. While it is important to consider which assets can be placed beyond the reach of creditors, it is also critical to understand whether the assets will be afforded the same protections when transferred to your beneficiaries as a part of your estate. At Buschkin Law Firm, we will assess the risks and help you with the development and implementation of a comprehensive asset protection plan. We will show you how to protect your business, your property, and your personal assets for you and your loved ones. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Intracompany Transferee The L-1 visa permits a U.S. employer to transfer an employee with specialized knowledge relating to the organization’s interests or a manager/executive from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee or manager/executive to the United States to set one up. This classification also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee or manager/executive to the United States to set one up. There are two types of L-1: L-1A for executives and managers L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge Benefits of an L-1 Visa No Quotas: No annual limits on the number of visas available to certain countries Fast Processing Times: Average processing time is between 3-6 months Premium Processing is also available by paying an additional fee of $2,500 USCIS is required to respond with 15 business days Family: Allowed to take their spouses and dependent children with them with the L-2 visa Work Authorization: Spouses are permitted to apply for work authorization to work for any US employer Tax Advantages: Non-immigrant visa holders are generally not taxed on worldwide income Transition to Green Card: The criteria for L-1A is similar to EB1C category for Multinational Managers or Executives Easier to become permanent residents Also considered a dual intent visa Requirements and eligibility QUALIFICATIONS To receive either type of L-1 visa, both the employer and the employee need to meet the requirements detailed below: Doing business: Defined by the government Means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and/or services by a qualifying organization. Specialized knowledge: In organization’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets, or In the organization’s processes and procedures Executive capacity: The employee’s ability to make decisions of wide latitude without much oversight Managerial capacity: Ability of the employee to supervise and control the work of professional employees and to manage the organization Employee’s ability to manage an essential function of the organization at a high level New Offices: Employer has secured sufficient physical premises to house the new office Employee has been employed as an executive or manager for one continuous year in the three years preceding the filing of the petition The intended U.S. office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of the approval of the petition DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Application process Processing times and Period of Stay/Extension of Stay The L-1 category of visas process begins with a petition. In general, preparing an L-1 petition may take 1-2 months on the average depending on the responsiveness of the clients and the availability of required documents. The petition is then filed by USCIS. On the average, it could take USCIS between 3-6 months to decide on a petition, but with premium processing, USCIS could decide in as fast as 15 business days. Family and Transition to Green Card CAN I TAKE MY FAMILY TO THE UNITED STATES? A successful L-1 applicant applying for a visa under L1 visa can take their spouse to the United States, as well as any dependent children under the age of 21. Spouses are eligible to apply for work authorization to work in the United States. They are not restricted to working in the same L-1 business as their spouse. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Employment-Based This is a green card category where your employer sponsors you for a green card. The employer must first go through the Labor Certification process to show that they could not find a qualified U.S. worker. You may be eligible for this green card if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker. “Skilled workers” are persons whose job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature “Professionals” are persons whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent and are a member of the professions The “other workers” subcategory is for persons performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature. Requirements and eligibility REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION Application process Processing times and Period of Stay These are green cards so as long as you meet the residency requirements and do not violate the terms of the visa you can keep them for life. Regarding processing time, with each step discussed above in mind, we can make an estimate on what the processing time will be. However, there are a number of factors that can drastically change the amount of time your EB-3 green card will take. PERM Labor Certification process: about 8 months without complications. Form I-140: average of 6 months depending on the caseload. Premium processing shortens your petition’s processing time to 15 calendar days Waiting for your priority date: two months to over a decade depending on country of origin. Form I-485: average of 6 months and cannot be expedited by premium processing. Family of EB - 3 Visa Holders Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may be eligible to apply for admission to the United States. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back PROBATE & PROBATE AVOIDANCE Protect your loved ones from the hardship of distributing your estate, or get help managing the estate of a loved one. HOW WE CAN HELP: Assist with the probate process to ease the burden on your loved ones Speed up the process for you, ensure that it’s done right the first time, and make sure that your application gets approved Navigate restrictions so that you qualify for all of the assistance you need When you or a loved one passes away, an estate’s transition, called probate, goes into effect. Usually, the family is responsible, alongside a probate attorney, for distributing probate assets. Probate can go smoothly if funds and wills were created and are accessible, but not all people prepare for it. Probate starts with submitting a last will and testament, if there is one, and then moves onto organizing assets and property into a catalog of inventory. Creditor, attorney, and court fees are paid first. Only then is the estate legally transferred to beneficiaries and heirs. We are here to help you plan to avoid probate or represent you in probate court. PROBATE ASSETS VS. NON-PROBATE ASSETS Probate assets include assets for which the deceased person was the sole owner or jointly owned assets which lacked provisions for automatic succession of ownership at death. Non-probate assets include jointly held property for which ownership includes the “right of survivorship.” In this situation, the surviving owner automatically owns the property when the other owner dies. We can help you avoid probate by creating a revocable living trust to plan for the management of your assets in the event of your incapacity or death. Avoiding probate with the help of a qualified attorney is especially important for high-net-worth individuals. Many jointly owned properties and certain types of bank accounts can be set up so that they will automatically be transferred to the person you wish to inherit them at your death. PROBATE AVOIDANCE Probate can be a lengthy process. Beneficiaries must wait until the process of paying back creditors during probate is completed to receive their inheritance. Financial costs are involved in commencing and administering a probate proceeding including filing court fees, the fees of the Personal Representative, and the fees of the attorney administering the estate. When a Will goes through probate, it becomes a public record. In contrast, Trusts can avoid the process of probate and remain private. It is always recommended to avoid ancillary probate for out-of-state real and tangible personal property owned. MAKE IT SIMPLE Legislation has made the probate process as painless as possible, but there are always hiccups along the way. We’ll take the stress out of it by helping when wills are challenged, documents are lost, or creditors get confused. The law can be confusing, especially in times of grief, and people might try to exploit your situation. We make sure that doesn’t happen and provide complete clarity about your affairs. We also make probate faster, so you pay less in court fees. We understand the loss of a loved one is difficult and painful. We never want you to put off your own care for lengthy, contested probate. We’re committed to supporting you and ensuring that the process goes as smoothly as possible. COMMON QUESTIONS HOW CAN I PLAN TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROBATE? The best way to ensure that your family won’t be tangled up in a costly and lengthy probate case is to have a fully funded, revocable living trust. Your living trust should be fully funded with your assets. Any assets that are still in your name will have to go through probate, so make sure that all of your assets are titled in your trust. WHAT IF THERE IS NO WILL? If a family member dies without leaving a will and there are significant assets or property that you believe you have a claim to, it would be wise to hire an estate administration attorney to protect your interests. If a person dies without a will and has no living family members closer than a first cousin, relatives who believe they have a claim will have to prove so in a kinship hearing. This is a lengthy process requiring multiple hearings, but with experienced attorneys on your team, you will be spared much of the difficulty. DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR PROBATE? It’s recommended because the process is so formalistic, thorough, and complex, and you don’t want to expose yourself to liability. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US