James A. Vargo & Associates LLC

Everyone needs a Will. You've probably heard that statement many times. But while it is important to have a Last Will and Testament, there are a number of other documents that are equally important in planning your estate for the future. At James A. Vargo & Associates, LLC, we will review your personal and financial situation in confidence, and then make recommendations to you as to how to best plan for your family should something happen to you.

These other documents may include a Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Health Care Power of Attorney. We are here to make suggestions to suit your specific needs and situation, not to try and sell you unnecessary services.

When a person dies, with or without a Last Will and Testament, that person may have assets that are titled to him or her as a sole owner. This may include real estate, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, as well as other assets. To transfer ownership to heirs or persons named in a Will, the Probate Court gets involved. The Court has the power to transfer legal title from the deceased person to the heirs.

We will assist you in all aspects of processing a person's estate through the Probate Court. We will prepare all required paperwork, complete inheritance tax forms (if needed), assist you selling assets, dealing with creditors of the estate, and counsel you throughout the process. 

Elder Law includes not only estate planning issues as discussed above, but also addresses the protection and disposition of a person's assets should that person require long-term care or seek government assistance to pay for medical expenses. Planning well in advance for these matters is very important to provide the best protection in the future, but even in situations where pre-planning has not occurred, we can still make recommendations to assist you in protecting or minimizing the loss of assets.

We will counsel you and draft documents that can help you plan for the future.

Bankruptcy is a process where a person or business tries to eliminate or restructure debt through a legal proceeding. While most people want to try and pay off their debts, unfortunate situations arise where even with the best of  intentions, a person ends up over his head with debts. This may occur because of a job loss, high medical bills, or a drastic change in interests rates on an outstanding loan. Bankruptcy affords many people the chance at a fresh start.

Bankruptcy laws have changed in the last few years, with the government trying to set stricter standards for eligibility to file for bankruptcy protection. We will review your financial situation to determine if bankruptcy is the right option for you, and whether you qualify to file.

If bankruptcy is the right choice for you, we will assist you in the process from start to finish; preparing paperwork, negotiating with your creditors, and attending any required court hearings.

Whether purchasing your first home or your tenth investment property; or if you are entering into a residential or commercial lease, we can protect your interests and help make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Our services in the real estate setting include: document review, document preparation, negotiating with buyers/sellers/landlords, and counseling you throughout the process. We can draft purchase agreements and leases to suit your specific needs.

Many people decide to go into business for themselves. A variety of business entities exist: sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or limited liability company. There are advantages to each form, depending on your needs.

Some people invest in real estate for rental or rehabilitation. Establishing a business entity can limit a person's individual liability, especially through the use of a corporation or limited liabilty company. A lawsuit by a tenant could spell financial ruin without some preplanning.

We can assist you in choosing the best format or entity to operate your business, prepare and file any required documents, and even direct you to accountants or tax advisors, if needed.