Starting a new business brings with it many unique challenges and uncertainties.  You have an outstanding business idea, and you have even secured the start-up capital to get things rolling.  What now?  Within the first year of starting your new business, you will likely have these six legal needs, presented in the order you will probably face them.  While you may be able to go-it-alone on some of these tasks, the assistance of an experienced and competent attorney will no doubt save you in the long run.

A will is the kind of thing no one likes to think about. The unsavory combination of having to deal with a lawyer and contemplating your own death is enough to make anyone hunt for a more pleasant activity! (I suspect many gutters have been given a non-seasonal cleaning for this very reason!)

While no one likes to think about dying, a good estate plan can be a tremendous source of blessing for the Christian, his family, and the ministries God lays on his heart to support.

This article outlines some priorities to consider when drafting a will and seven changes in life that indicate the need to change your estate plan as well!

Does your executor know how to find the things you've hidden?

When it’s time to wind up your estate, your executor  will need to find information and items that may be hidden away or protected by passwords: everything from your electronic banking records to your email accounts, from your safe deposit box to a home alarm.

You can provide essential directions for your executor for each locked place, login, or security measure. Here are some tips to get you started.

QUESTION:

I'm a 30-year-old single woman and I don't have much to my name. I live in a rented apartment and have some meager savings. I have no children. Do I need to write a will?

You might think that probate can't possibly happen to you if you don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property. But avoiding probate is essential for your heirs, who will be left in limbo and end up spending big bucks to settle your affairs. Find out more about how to avoid probate if you've got a small amount of property.

A financial power of attorney will ensure that someone you trust is there handle your financial matters if you ever become incapacitated - for example, in an accident or during the course of an illness. But who needs one? According to estate planning expert Shae Irving, just about anyone with an income or property would be wise to consider creating this crucial legal document. Read more about financial powers of attorney and find out how you can benefit from creating one.

You might think that your will can take care of everything for you after you've passed. But there are many practical issues that aren't covered in basic estate planning documents. If you've locked away all your information, will anyone know how to access your papers in your absence? In a time of great hardship, your heirs will get much-needed peace of mind when they have quick and easy access to all the essentials - that is, if you act before it's too late. Read more about which documents you should be sure to keep organized and accessible.