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Queer Films to Look Out For from LA's Outfest (Virtual This Year)
by Frank J. Avella
OutFest outdid itself this year boasting some of the best queer content in a while. The virtual experience took nothing away from the quality of the features, docs and shorts. But the Fest also included OutFest LA's "Under the Stars," a drive-in experience that took place at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, where the Festival hosted a series of drive-in screenings. There were many other special events.
The 2020 OutFest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, presented by WarnerMedia, runs virtually from August 20-30.
"The Obituary of Tunde Johnson" (Centerpiece)
The best in a Fest that featured some of the most thought-provoking LGBTQ selections in years, "The Obituary of Tunde Johnson" premiered at TIFF last year and why it wasn't immediately picked up by a distributor is confounding. Actually, the confounding narrative is probably the answer but the film, exceptionally directed by Ali LeRoi and deftly and densely written by Stanley Kalu, is a singular achievement that demands repeated viewings (I'm on my third). This highly ambitious, audacious work is never what it seems... to the very end. Sure, a facile description might include references to "Groundhog Day" or an over-emphasis on the political but what the film attempts is far deeper and more extraordinary, beginning with what black men must deal with on a day to day basis — add gay, and the experience is magnified.
Tunde, a Nigerian born college student from a well-off, loving and supportive family lives the same day over and over, each ending in his being shot (in different scenarios) by the L.A. police. Tunde (Steven Silver) is having a secret romance with hot jock, Soren (Spencer Neville) who is sleeping with his best friend, Marley (Nicola Peltz). All three actors do incredible work. Yes, the film tackles racism, homophobia and class, but, at its core, is the personal story of one teen on cusp of manhood. The creatives are going for something sublime here and they masterfully (and deliberately messily) achieve that goal.
"Dramarama"
Jonathan Wysocki's feature debut "Dramatama" is an impressive and wholly engaging peek into the world of a group of California theatre-nerd friends about to leave for college in 1994. The writer-director takes a dialogue-heavy script and finds the perfect visual style so things never feel stagey or flat. And he's penned intelligent, articulate, relatable teens who may be geeky and repressed but are also on the cusp of certain realizations. The sextet of young actors all shine with Nico Greetham especially tuned-in to the nuances of portraying that one teen we all knew (or were) who discovers he's gay long after his friends have. I love the idea that these teens are immersed in queer culture without having any true awareness of it. And the film and theatre reference rock. It's "Breakfast Club" meets "Big Chill" with some "Boys in the Band" tossed in! "Dramarama" is the queer sleeper of OutFest.
"Cicada"
A film deserving of repeated viewings, Matt Fifer and Kieran Mulcare's extraordinarily film, "Cicada," is a stirring portrait of a bisexual man (Fifer) who tosses himself into meaningless and sometimes anonymous sexual encounters until he decides to confront his damaging demons. He meets a closeted black man (Sheldon D. Brown). With the Sandusky trial looming in the background, this rich, nuanced work delves deep into psychological dissection and emerges triumphant. Fifer is a filmic force to be reckoned with. His script is dense and honest and his performance, fearless. One of the best indies of the year.
"Shiva Baby" Centerpiece
Emma Seligman's deviously delightful "Shiva Baby," is set almost entirely at a shiva (the seven-day mourning period in the Jewish faith taking place at the home of the deceased) and manages to be sweepingly cinematic and passive-aggressively familiar to anyone who's ever felt uncomfortable at a family gathering. Seligman has a way with sifting the real from the stereotype and getting into the skin of people who need to impress when they're around relations. Rachel Sennott and Molly Gordon are especially good as on-again/off-again lovers and Polly Draper deserves awards attention for her amusing yet keen embodiment of the Jewish mother.
"T11 Incomplete"
Suzanne Guacci's loving exploration of the many gray areas in life, "T11 Incomplete," is even more extraordinary on a second viewing. The central love story is daring in the sense that we don't often see two women of different generations fall in love onscreen and when one of those women is physically disabled—well, that is rare. This exquisite film is anchored by a remarkable performance by Karen Sillas who plays an imperfect middle-aged woman who's past (and present) mistakes continue to hurt the people in her life. But she strives to be better — to do better — and, even in failure, is seen as redeemable. Guacci's film is a call for empathy and forgiveness. And we need that now, more than ever.
"The Strong Ones"
Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo's first feature, "Los Fuertes (The Strong Ones)," is a sexy gay love story where the chemistry between the two leads, Samuel González and Antonio Altamirano, is so palpable, you can't not root for them. Alas, the two young Chilean men are from different worlds and neither seem willing nor wanting to compromise. Set in a remote oceanic town in southern Chile, "The Strong Ones," probes the smoldering passion but also the deep connection made by two guys who are feeling out who they are who they want to be. I can't recommend this gem enough. In Spanish with English subtitles.
"Monsoon" Centerpiece
Henry Golding ("Crazy Rich Asians") is the best reason for watching Hong Khaou's evocative "Monsoon." He plays Kit, a man who returns to Vietnam for the first time in decades after escaping, with his mother, while the war was still raging. His journey is deeply personal and Golding delivers a lovely, understated turn, subtly exposing his conflicting feelings. The film explores Kit's relationship with three very different people during the course of the slight narrative, that relies more on minutiae than anything truly dramatic. Khaou is to be commended for the bracingly casual way Kit's sexual encounters are depicted.
"Lily Tomlin: The Film Behind the Show"
"What is reality? Nothing but a collective hunch." Trudy in "Search for Signs"
"The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe," Lily Tomlin's one-person tour de force, masterfully penned by her partner, Jane Wagner, opened on Broadway in 1985 to stellar reviews, numerous awards and sold-out audiences. The play ran for a year and was then revived in 2000. (It was also faithfully adapted into a film in 1991.) Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill followed Lily and Jane around in their pre-Broadway tryout and captured a lot of the process that went into the show's creation. Now, newly restored, this 1986 film feels just as timely as it did back in the mid-80s and shows just how little progress we've made as a country and a people. But Lily and Jane are forever optimists and the power of the piece is palpable.
"The Capote Tapes"
Truman Capote was a singular figure of the 20th Century. He was a celebrated author whose groundbreaking work included "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "In Cold Blood." He was openly gay at a time when no one else dared be in his work ("Other Voices, Other Rooms, 1948) and his life. And he was a high society mover and shaker whose infamous masquerade ball became legend. He was also a troubled, damaged person who died at 59. Ebs Burnough's "The Capote Tapes" probes the life and work of this enigmatic celebrity in an attempt to discover some psychological truths. Capote remains a mystery but the doc delves pretty deep via a series of audiotape recordings where George Plimpton interviews his friends and foes.
"Three Chords and a Lie"
Brandon Stansell is a country music singer. He's also an out gay man. Historically, these are two extremely divergent things. There are certainly many gay/bi country artists but none are out. And those few who chose to come out have never been embraced by Nashville, nor have they spoken as honestly and bravely as Stansell does in Trent Atkinson's moving doc, "Three Chords and a Lie." Structured around the rising star's hometown (Chattanooga) concert return, Stansell opens up about his estranged relationship with his family and the industry's homophobia. By the time he sings the powerful and heartfelt, "Hurt People," you'll be ready for some Kleenex.
"Gossamer Folds"
Director Lisa Donato and screenwriter Bridget Flanery explore what a true family is (or should be) in the deeply affecting, "Gossamer Folds." It's Kansas City in 1986 and forever-curious 10-year-old Tate (Jackson Robert Scott) and his parents (Sprague Grayden & Shane West) have moved to the suburbs and next door to a black trans woman, Gossamer (Alexandra Grey) and her father (Franklin Ojeda Smith). The married couple seem to be locked in perpetual discord so Tate spends most of his time next door. What follows is a poignant story about friendship, family, love and survival. Grey and Scott excel in their respective roles but it is Smith who touches us most as a loving dad doing his best in an ever-changing world.
"P.S. Burn This Letter Please"
The discovery of a box of letters in a storage unit in 2014 by filmmakers Michael Seligman and Jennifer Tiexiera led to a treasure trove of letters to and from DJ and talent agent Reno Martin that documented the world of a group of drag queens in the 1950s and early '60s. Via these precious artifacts, "P.S. Burn This Letter Please" provides an illuminating portrait of what life was like for these queer people pre-Stonewall, when the art of female impersonation as well as homosexuality itself were still criminal offenses. The film shines an important light into a part of LGBTQ history that has been disregarded.
"Ask Any Buddy"
What is "Ask Any Buddy?" Or more importantly, is "Ask Any Buddy" a doc you want to see? If non-linear, vintage gay erotica is your thing OR you simply want to get a sense of pre-AIDS gay porn OR you want to delight in a slice of queer culture, give this a looksee. Evan Purcell, the film's director, has graduated from his popular Instagram postings to assembling a host of scenes from 126 gay porn releases that span from the late '60s to the mid-80s. This is his personal tribute to men and sex and the gay aesthetic. And it's a fascinating sit.
Also worthwhile
"Minyan"
Eric Steel's mesmerizing film, "Minyan," set in 1986, centers on a teen coming to terms with his attraction to men amidst the backdrop of the Russian Jewish world of Brighton Beach. Repression, homophobia, assimilation, deception and survival are just some of the lofty themes tackled. Samuel H. Levine (Broadway's "The Inheritance") plays the lead and shows true cinematic promise. There's great heft to this story but the ending lacks a proper punch.
"No Hard Feelings (Futur Drei)"
Faraz Shariat's absorbing three-person character study, "No Hard Feelings," examines notions of identity, sexual, ethnic and geographic. Parvis (Benjamin Radjaipour) is a wildly out queer Iranian living in Germany. While performing community service at a refugee shelter, he encounters Amon (Eidin Jalali), a deeply closeted gay living with his older sister, Banafshe (Banafshe Hourmazdi), who is in danger of being deported. All three hit it off and struggle with their respective demons. Shariat's style is impressive. Kudos for showing us something rarely seen in gay films: a proud bottom.
It's been less than 50 years since the American Psychiatric Association decided to finally remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. Bennett Singer and Patrick Sammon's engaging documentary, "Cured," chronicles this vital movement towards LGBTQ equality when a small group of true queer heroes challenged the patriarchy and proved victorious. And in a nod to irony, one of the most homophobic opponents turned out to have a gay son.
"Cowboys"
Anna Kerrigan's thoughtful and sometimes exasperating feature, "Cowboys" examines childhood gender identity with great sensitivity and, in non-binary actor Sasha Knight's superb performance, allows the audience a peek into the conflicts faced by a transgender pre-teen. Steve Zahn is to be commended for his terrific portrayal of the 11-year-old's understanding and protective father. The film falters with some of its contrived plot twists but is worth a look for Knight and Zahn's touching turns.
Finally, the 10 best shorts I viewed:
"Dreaming Like Louis" (Dir: Valentin Merz Tanoren), "How To Say I Love You at Night" (Andree Ljutica), "See You Soon" (Tyler Rabinowitz), "Bliss is Orange" (Jenna Kanell), "Query" (Sophie Kargman), "Last Summer with Uncle Ira" (Gary Jaffe and Katie Ennis), "Our Place Together (Clay Marshall Pruitt) "Muy Gay Too Mexicano" (Lorenza Lourenco), "Meta" (Sydne Horton) and "The Shawl" (Sara Kiener)
For more on Outfest, visit the festival's website.
Frank J. Avella is a film and theatre journalist and is thrilled to be writing for EDGE. He is also a proud Dramatists Guild member and a recipient of a 2018 Bogliasco Foundation Fellowship. He was awarded a 2015 Fellowship Award from the NJ State Council on the Arts, the 2016 Helene Wurlitzer Residency Grant and the Chesley/Bumbalo Foundation Playwright Award for his play Consent, which was also a 2012 semifinalist for the O'Neill. His play, Vatican Falls, took part in the 2017 Planet Connections Festivity and Frank was nominated for Outstanding Playwriting. Lured was a semifinalist for the 2018 O'Neill and received a 2018 Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation Grant. Lured will premiere in 2018 in NYC and 2019 in Rome, Italy. LuredThePlay.com
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Plan Ahead Before Seeking Nursing Home Care: Avoid Unnecessary Debt for You and Your Family
Cindy Kostenski January 12, 2023
Many senior citizens may need the services of a nursing home or at-home care at some point in their life. You might assume that government assistance or health insurance will step in and cover the cost if you cannot afford these services. Unfortunately, neither health insurance nor Medicare covers long-term care. Because obtaining long-term care insurance can be very expensive, Medicaid could become your only option.
Medicaid coverage is not a given, however. If you have assets or recently transferred assets, Medicaid may determine you do not qualify for coverage until a certain amount of time has passed. If this happens, you and their family can face significant medical bills. If you cannot pay, nursing homes may take you to court to get reimbursed.
What steps can you take to avoid this? First, before applying for Medicaid, get a better understanding of the timelines in your state – known as lookback periods – that can affect your eligibility. Then you can engage in proper Medicaid or asset protection planning in advance of these timeframes. A good age to begin planning is around age 65, although everyone's situation is different.
Individual states run Medicaid programs, and every state has different rules regarding Medicaid eligibility. These programs were designed as a payor of last resort — in other words, to qualify, you must meet strict requirements. There are two primary types of Medicaid benefits: home care and skilled nursing home care.
Lookback Periods
You must submit an application to your local Medicaid office to qualify for these benefits. As part of this process, the state will look at any money or property you may have transferred within a certain lookback period. In New York, for example, this period of time will soon be 30 months for home care and 60 months for skilled nursing care.
These lookback periods can have serious consequences. If you have not engaged in appropriate asset protection planning, you may not be able to qualify for home care or nursing home care for many months. The result is that many elderly individuals must then spend down their savings and liquidate their assets to pay privately for their home care before Medicaid starts covering anything. If a person no longer has resources and is subject to a disqualification penalty period, family members may have to step in and bear these costs on their own.
So, what can you do? The answer is to start planning as soon as is practical.
Options to Explore
Speaking with an elder law attorney can help you and your loved ones explore options available to avoid you or them being personally responsible for the costs of your care.
Medicaid Asset Protection Trust — One common approach is placing assets in a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. You may be able to use this to shelter various assets such as stock accounts, savings, a home with unprotected equity, and much more.
Pooled Income Trust — Another option you may explore is contributing income that exceeds Medicaid allowances to a Pooled Income Trust. This can allow you to qualify for Medicaid while diverting excess income to a trust that pays qualified expenses on your behalf. This will enable you to benefit from the income and not spend it on things Medicaid could have otherwise covered.
Spousal Refusal — Your spouse may also have options that can help you qualify for Medicaid. One such option includes exercising a right of spousal refusal — a process available in some states by which the income and assets of your spouse can be removed from consideration in your Medicaid eligibility analysis.
Finally, an attorney can help you understand if certain transfers are permissible under Medicaid rules without triggering a penalty period.
Without proper planning, individuals with assets and income exceeding specific state-set thresholds would have to spend this income and their assets on their care or exempt items before they can receive Medicaid benefits. For assistance in planning, consult with a qualified elder law attorney in your area.
The Sobering Cost of Long-Term Care
Nursing home debt collection
Also, read one our our previous Blogs here:
Protect Your Estate from Nursing Home Costs
What Does Per Stirpes Mean In Florida?
What Does Per Stirpes Mean In A Last Will In Florida? Last wills and testaments include a number of unique terms which often confuse individuals who are not familiar with the probate process. One of the most common terms that confuses individuals is "per stirpes", which literally is translated to English as "by the branch". This term refers to how the testor's assets will be distributed to beneficiaries if they were to predecease the testor.
As an example, let's say a testor with two children has instructed in their Last Will and Testament that their assets be equally distributed amongst their children "or to their issue, per stirpes", if they were not to survive the testor. This means that the assets will be divided equally between their children if they were to not survive them.
Sometimes however, a beneficiary will pass before the testor. If this is the case, then the assets originally willed to the beneficiaries would be distributed to their descendants, or closest surviving relatives if there are no direct descendants. So in this example, if one of the two beneficiaries of the testor were to pass, then the assets originally willed to them would be passed onto the direct descendants of the beneficiaries, with the other half going to the original surviving beneficiary.
DYING WITHOUT A WILL IN FLORIDA
When someone dies without a valid will, their assets are declared intestate. It's important to note that "intestate" does not mean that the property now belongs to the State. In fact, Florida has a specific process in determining who receives the decedent's assets in the absence of a valid will.
When the decedent has a surviving spouse and has no living children, grandchildren, parents, etc, then the spouse shall receive the entire estate.
If the decedent has a spouse and also has one or more living family members who are family members of the spouse (i.e children), the spouse shall receive the entire estate.
If the spouse has additional living immediate family members that are not immediate family of the deceased individual, the spouse shall receive one-half of the estate with the other half going to the spouse's descendants.
In cases where the decedent was not married at the time of their passing, the immediate family members will receive the entire estate. The assets will then be divided in accordance with Florida law.
If the deceased person was not married and also has no living immediate family members, the inheritance will pass to surviving parents of the decedent.
In cases where someone dies without any surviving close family members, spouses, or relatives, the State of Florida will search for more remote heirs in accordance with intestate law.
The full process can be found in Chapter 732 of The Florida Statutes. This process is very in-depth and often causes confusion/disagreements among beneficiaries. As a result, it's vital to work with a Florida probate attorney that's experienced with issues involving intestate succession.
DIFFERENCES WITH PER CAPITA
Another common term associated with Last Wills and Testaments is "per capita", which can create further confusion when discussing the distribution of assets. While per stirpes will ensure that the shares originally willed to surviving beneficiaries will stay the same regardless of whether other beneficiaries pass on, per capita will instead divide the amount evenly among all living descendants.
This means that per the earlier example, if one of the beneficiaries passed away and had three children, the estate would actually be divided into four separate and even parts – one part for the original surviving beneficiary and the other three for each of the deceased beneficiary's children. Essentially, in a will with per capita, you never create a share for an already deceased beneficiary as would occur in per stirpes.
The meaning of per stirpes may be different depending on whether you're having the will prepared or if you're the beneficiary of the estate. If you are creating a will for your estate then having per stripes included will ensure that your estate is passed down to your children or the next closest descendants in line.
In the event that you are on the other side of the will as a beneficiary or heir and notice per stirpes mentioned in it, it means that the share for any deceased close relatives will go to their descendants if any. Otherwise it will be split evenly between the closest surviving relatives as the will outlines.
Sometimes it can be challenging to understand the details of a will, particularly if there are many beneficiaries listed. In that case, most find it beneficial to work with an attorney specializing in probate and estate planning to help not only formulate the will but also to understand a will, especially when per stripes is involved.
Per Stirpes: Meaning and Uses in Estate Planning
What does per stirpes mean?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE DIES WITHOUT A WILL?
Assessing the Risks Workers Face Going Into Retirement
Cindy Kostenski January 9, 2023
The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College has released a new analysis examining both the financial risks retirees face and how retirees perceive them.
According to the brief, titled "How Well Do Retirees Assess the Risks They Face in Retirement?," recent studies have identified five major risks: the risk of outliving one's money (longevity risk), the risk of investment losses (market risk), the risk of unexpected health expenses (health risk), the risk of unforeseen needs of family members (family risk) and the risk of retirement benefit cuts (policy risk).
The analysis shows that these risks affect different cohorts of the working population differently. For example, for single men reaching retirement, the top three sources of risk are longevity, health and market risk. According to the CRR, the typical single man would be willing to give up as much as 27% of his initial wealth to fully eliminate longevity risk.
Health risk ranks second in this cohort due to the unpredictability of medical expenditures in late life, including the cost of long-term care, the brief says. Market risk ranks third due to retirees' relatively long—about 20 years—investment horizon. The brief suggests that policy risk is small because Social Security reform is unlikely to have a significant impact on people who have already retired or who will do so soon.
The risk ranking for married couples was similar to the results for single people, though the relative value of the risk is larger overall for couples, the brief says. This means that a couple would be willing to give up 33% of their initial wealth to avoid longevity risk, compared with 27% for a single man.
The brief also shows the most serious subjective risks perceived by different groups tend to be different from their actual risks. For example, for single men, market risk tops the list of perceived risks, followed by longevity, health, family and policy risks. According to the CRR, single men and couples alike tend to significantly underestimate their medical expenses in old age.
Perceived longevity risk and health risk rank lower because retirees are pessimistic about their survival probabilities, the brief says. This implies that retirees do not have an accurate understanding of their true retirement risks.
Additionally, the analysis highlights the importance of longevity and market risk, which underscores the need for lifetime income either through Social Security or private sector annuities, the brief says. Long-term care is also a significant risk faced by retirees that they often underestimate. Better-designed public programs and private products, possibly integrated with life annuities, could help to protect retirees with limited financial resources from this potentially catastrophic risk, the brief concludes.
Retirees are underestimating retirement risk, study finds
HOW WELL DO RETIREES ASSESS THE RISKS THEY FACE IN RETIREMENT?
When Should I Start Saving For Retirement?
Can SSI Be Garnished?
Can SSI be garnished? The bank account of a person is the first thing that creditors will be looking to seize when they have a judgment against them. However, if those funds came from SSI or Social Security benefits, there are limitations on what the creditor can do with it. As a bankruptcy law firm, we often hear questions like: Can SSI be garnished? The answer to that is that it simply depends. Generally, no, it cannot. However, there are a few instances where the government may garnish money from your SSI and Social Security benefits.
What is SSI?
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income, which is a federal income program administered by Social Security. However, the funding for SSI does nor come from Social Security taxes, but rather general tax revenues. The intention of SSI is to assist elderly, blind, or disabled people who have little to no means of income. It provides these individuals with money so that they can obtain basic needs for survival, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
SSI is different from Social Security benefits in that it is not based on you or a family member's prior work history. Those insured with Social Security, meaning they worked for a certain amount of time and paid Social Security taxes, receive these benefits. Meanwhile, SSI gears more towards those who have limited resources and meet the specified requirements. Individuals who receive SSI are most likely living on a fixed income and, as mentioned before, are elderly, blind, or disabled.
Can Social Security Be Garnished for Medical Bills?
So often do we hear the question, "can SSI be garnished?" It's completely understandable that many who are on these benefits fear that if they have an outstanding debt, the creditor will garnish funds from their SSI or Social Security. However, this fear is, for the most part, baseless. This is because federal law prohibits regular creditors from seizing your Social Security and disability benefits.
According to Section 207 of the Social Security Act, regular creditors are not able to garnish or levy any money from Social Security or SSI. "Regular" creditors refers to anyone attempting to collect money for things like credit card debt, personal loans, payday loans, repo debt, and yes, even medical bills. Federal law does not allow these creditors to touch your Social Security benefits to collect debt.
Can My Disability Check be Garnished?
Both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) are generally exempt from creditors. We say "generally" because there are a few exceptions when it comes to this law. We'll get into those later.
Despite these very explicit exceptions, however, some creditors may still attempt to garnish or levy your bank account. If you owe debt, a creditor may get a court order to freeze the money within your bank account. Before 2011, banks were able to comply with these court orders without first checking for the source of income. However, a federal law passed in 2011 that requires banks to review the account information to determine whether the debtor received any SSI or SSDI by way of direct deposit. This means that if your disability check directly deposits into your account and a creditor attempts to freeze your account, your bank must protect those benefits from garnishment.
Though it is illegal for regular creditors to garnish money from your disability checks, it is important you don't mix your Social Security income with other income received in your name. Creditors may mistakenly seize these funds in your account if you do so because they don't know where your regular income ends and where your SSI begins. If you do happen to commingle your income, you will need to prove to the court that the money in your account is ineligible for seizure. If you need to defend against any seizure of benefits, your best bet is to use Section 207 of the Social Security Act.
Is My Social Security Protected From All Creditors?
Generally speaking, protections are in place that make Social Security funds restrained from garnishment and other actions taken by debt collectors. However, this is only if the money deposits into your account directly. If you transfer the funds into a different account after receiving them, protection will not be automatic.
A creditor may still have your account frozen, if you have delinquent payments. If they issue a garnishment and you don't respond to claim your exemptions, the funds may still transfer to the creditor. Even if you claim your disability exemptions, the funds remain inaccessible to you until it goes before a judge. To ensure protection of your Social Security from regular creditors, it's best to have your disability money directly deposited into your account so the bank can make this distinction for you.
Unfortunately, just because regular creditors cannot touch your benefits doesn't mean it's safe from everyone. Your Social Security isn't entirely invincible. Listed under the same section of the Social Security Act (207), certain creditors are exempt from this law. To no surprise, this includes the federal government.
So, when can SSI be garnished, exactly? The first and perhaps most obvious is for the IRS to collect overdue federal taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the government agency responsible for collecting U.S. tax dollars and enforcing tax laws. This government service can, in fact, access tese benefits to cover any back taxes you may owe.
Student loans, child support, and alimony can also get taken from your disability benefits. That is, if you refuse to pay them on your own. A person may bring legal action to enforce their rights to child support and/or alimony. Of which, the result may be garnishment from the money you receive from Social Security.
Can Social Security payments be garnished?
SSR 79-4: SECTIONS 207, 452(b), 459 and 462(f) (42 U.S.C. 407, 652(b), 659 and 662(f)) LEVY AND GARNISHMENT OF BENEFITS
Also, read one of our previous Blogs st:
Are You Relying on Social Security Alone for Retirement?
Final Goodbye: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2022.
Final goodbye: Remembering the celebrities we lost in 2022
Final goodbye: Remembering the celebrities we lost in 2022 Queen Elizabeth II's death in September was arguably the most high-profile death in 2022, prompting a collective outpouring of grief and respect for her steady leadership as well as some criticism of the monarchy's role in colonialism.
However, she was far from the only famous person to pass away over the course of the year.
Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2022 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):
Sidney Poitier, 94. He played roles of such dignity and intelligence that he transformed how Black people were portrayed on screen, becoming the first Black actor to win an Oscar for best lead performance and the first to be a top box-office draw. Jan. 6.
Bob Saget, 65. The actor-comedian known for his role as beloved single dad Danny Tanner on the sitcom "Full House" and as the wisecracking host of "America's Funniest Home Videos." Jan. 9.
Robert Durst, 78. The wealthy New York real estate heir and failed fugitive dogged for decades with suspicion in the disappearance and deaths of those around him before he was convicted last year of killing his best friend. Jan. 10.
Ronnie Spector, 78. The cat-eyed, bee-hived rock 'n' roll siren who sang such 1960s hits as "Be My Baby," "Baby I Love You" and "Walking in the Rain" as the leader of the girl group the Ronettes. Jan. 12.
André Leon Talley, 73. A towering and highly visible figure of the fashion world who made history as a rare Black editor in an overwhelmingly white industry. Jan. 18.
Meat Loaf, 74. The rock superstar loved by millions for his "Bat Out of Hell" album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as "Paradise By the Dashboard Light," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)." Jan. 20.
Louie Anderson, 68. His four-decade career as a comedian and actor included his unlikely, Emmy-winning performance as mom to twin adult sons in the TV series "Baskets." Jan. 21.
Ivan Reitman, 75. The influential filmmaker and producer behind many of the most beloved comedies of the late 20th century, from "Animal House" to "Ghostbusters." Feb. 12.
Sally Kellerman, 84. The Oscar and Emmy nominated actor who played Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in director Robert Altman's 1970 film "MASH." Feb. 24.
Emilio Delgado, 81. The actor and singer who for 45 years was a warm and familiar presence in children's lives and a rare Latino face on American television as fix-it shop owner Luis on "Sesame Street." March 10.
Traci Braxton, 50. A singer who was featured with her family in the reality television series "Braxton Family Values." March 12.
William Hurt, 71. His laconic charisma and self-assured subtlety as an actor made him one of the 1980s foremost leading men in movies such as "Broadcast News," "Body Heat" and "The Big Chill." March 13.
Madeleine Albright, 84. A child refugee from Nazi- and then Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe who rose to become the first female secretary of state and a mentor to many current and former American statesmen and women. March 23.
Taylor Hawkins, 50. For 25 years, he was the drummer for Foo Fighters and best friend of frontman Dave Grohl. March 25.
Estelle Harris, 93. She hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza's short-fused mother on "Seinfeld" and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the "Toy Story" franchise. April 2.
Bobby Rydell, 79. A pompadoured heartthrob of early rock 'n roll who was a star of radio, television and the movie musical "Bye Bye Birdie." April 5.
Gilbert Gottfried, 67. The actor and legendary standup comic known for his raw, scorched voice and crude jokes. April 12.
Liz Sheridan, 93. She played doting mom to Jerry Seinfeld on his hit sitcom. April 15.
Orrin G. Hatch, 88. The longest-serving Republican senator in history who was a fixture in Utah politics for more than four decades. April 23.
Naomi Judd, 76. Her family harmonies with daughter Wynonna turned them into the Grammy-winning country stars The Judds. April 30. Died by suicide.
Mickey Gilley, 86. A country singer whose namesake Texas honky-tonk inspired the 1980 film "Urban Cowboy" and a nationwide wave of Western-themed nightspots. May 7.
Fred Ward, 79. A veteran actor who brought a gruff tenderness to tough-guy roles in such films as "The Right Stuff," "The Player" and "Tremors." May 8.
Bob Lanier, 73. The left-handed big man who muscled up beside the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of the NBA's top players of the 1970s. May 10.
Vangelis, 79. The Greek electronic composer who wrote the unforgettable Academy Award-winning score for the film "Chariots of Fire" and music for dozens of other movies, documentaries and TV series. May 17.
Ray Liotta, 67. The actor best known for playing mobster Henry Hill in "Goodfellas" and baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in "Field of Dreams." May 26.
Andy "Fletch" Fletcher, 60. Keyboardist for British synth pop giants Depeche Mode for more than 40 years. May 26.
Ann Turner Cook, 95. Her cherubic baby face was known the world over as the original Gerber baby. June 3.
Tony Siragusa, 55. The charismatic defensive tackle who was part of one of the most celebrated defenses in NFL history with the Baltimore Ravens. June 22.
James Caan, 82. The curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of "The Godfather" and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic weeper "Brian's Song" and the casino boss in "Las Vegas." July 6.
Ivana Trump, 73. A skier-turned-businesswoman who formed half of a publicity power couple in the 1980s as the first wife of former President Donald Trump and mother of his oldest children. July 14. Injuries suffered in an accident.
Paul Sorvino, 83. An imposing actor who specialized in playing crooks and cops like Paulie Cicero in "Goodfellas" and the NYPD sergeant Phil Cerreta on "Law & Order." July 25.
Tony Dow, 77. As Wally Cleaver on the sitcom "Leave It to Beaver," he helped create the popular and lasting image of the American teenager of the 1950s and 60s. July 27.
Nichelle Nichols, 89. She broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood as communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original "Star Trek" television series. July 30.
Pat Carroll, 95. A comedic television mainstay for decades, Emmy-winner for "Caesar's Hour" and the voice of Ursula in "The Little Mermaid." July 30.
Bill Russell, 88. The NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years — the last two as the first Black head coach in any major U.S. sport — and marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr. July 31.
Olivia Newton-John, 73. The Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" and won countless hearts as everyone's favorite Sandy in the blockbuster film version of "Grease." Aug. 8.
Wolfgang Petersen, 81. The German filmmaker whose World War II submarine epic "Das Boot" propelled him into a blockbuster Hollywood career that included the films "In the Line of Fire," "Air Force One" and "The Perfect Storm." Aug. 12.
Anne Heche, 53. The Emmy-winning film and television actor whose dramatic Hollywood rise in the 1990s and accomplished career contrasted with personal chapters of turmoil. Aug. 14. Injuries suffered in a car crash.
Len Dawson, 87. The Hall of Fame quarterback whose unmistakable swagger in helping the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title earned him the nickname "Lenny the Cool." Aug. 24.
Bob LuPone, 76. As an actor, he earned a Tony Award nomination in the original run of "A Chorus Line" and played Tony Soprano's family physician, and also helped found and lead the influential off-Broadway theater company MCC Theater for nearly 40 years. Aug. 27.
Mikhail Gorbachev, 91. The last leader of the Soviet Union, he set out to revitalize it but ended up unleashing forces that led to the collapse of communism, the breakup of the state and the end of the Cold War. Aug. 30.
Bernard Shaw, 82. CNN's chief anchor for two decades and a pioneering Black broadcast journalist best remembered for calmly reporting the beginning of the Gulf War in 1991 as missiles flew around him in Baghdad. Sept. 7.
Queen Elizabeth II, 96. Britain's longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability across much of a turbulent century. Sept. 8.
Ramsey Lewis, 87. A renowned jazz pianist whose music entertained fans over a more than 60-year career that began with the Ramsey Lewis Trio and made him one of the country's most successful jazz musicians. Sept. 12.
Jean-Luc Godard, 91. The iconic "enfant terrible" of the French New Wave who revolutionized popular cinema in 1960 with his first feature, "Breathless," and stood for years among the film world's most influential directors. Sept. 13.
Ken Starr, 76. A former federal appellate judge and a prominent attorney whose criminal investigation of Bill Clinton led to the president's impeachment and put Starr at the center of one of the country's most polarizing debates of the 1990s. Sept. 13.
Louise Fletcher, 88. A late-blooming star whose riveting performance as the cruel and calculating Nurse Ratched in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" set a new standard for screen villains and won her an Academy Award. Sept. 23.
Coolio, 59. The rapper was among hip-hop's biggest names of the 1990s with hits including "Gangsta's Paradise" and "Fantastic Voyage." Sept. 28.
Sacheen Littlefeather, 75. The actor and activist who declined Marlon Brando's 1973 Academy Award for "The Godfather" on his behalf in an indelible protest of Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans. Oct. 2.
Loretta Lynn, 90. The Kentucky coal miner's daughter whose frank songs about life and love as a woman in Appalachia pulled her out of poverty and made her a pillar of country music. Oct. 4.
Angela Lansbury, 96. The scene-stealing British actor who kicked up her heels in the Broadway musicals "Mame" and "Gypsy" and solved endless murders as crime novelist Jessica Fletcher in the long-running TV series "Murder, She Wrote." Oct. 11.
Robbie Coltrane, 72. The baby-faced comedian and character actor whose hundreds of roles included a crime-solving psychologist on the TV series "Cracker" and the gentle half-giant Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" movies. Oct. 14.
Leslie Jordan, 67. The Emmy-winning actor whose wry Southern drawl and versatility made him a comedy and drama standout on TV series including "Will & Grace" and "American Horror Story." Oct. 24.
Jerry Lee Lewis, 87. The untamable rock 'n' roll pioneer whose outrageous talent, energy and ego collided on such definitive records as "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and sustained a career otherwise upended by personal scandal. Oct. 28.
Takeoff, 28. A rapper best known for his work with the Grammy-nominated trio Migos. Nov. 1. Killed in a shooting.
Aaron Carter, 34. The singer-rapper who began performing as a child and had hit albums starting in his teen years. Nov. 5.
Jeff Cook, 73. The guitarist who co-founded the country group Alabama and steered them up the charts with such hits as "Song of the South" and "Dixieland Delight." Nov. 8.
Gallagher, 76. The long-haired, smash-'em-up comedian who left a trail of laughter, anger and shattered watermelons over a decadeslong career. Nov. 11.
John Aniston, 89. The Emmy-winning star of the daytime soap opera "Days of Our Lives" and father of actress Jennifer Aniston. Nov. 11.
Jason David Frank, 49. He played the Green Power Ranger Tommy Oliver on the 1990s children's series "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." Nov. 19.
Irene Cara, 63. The Oscar, Golden Globe and two-time Grammy winning singer-actor who starred and sang the title cut from the 1980 hit movie "Fame" and then belted out the era-defining hit "Flashdance … What a Feeling" from 1983′s "Flashdance." Nov. 25.
Christine McVie, 79. The British-born Fleetwood Mac vocalist, songwriter and keyboard player whose cool, soulful contralto helped define such classics as "You Make Loving Fun," "Everywhere" and "Don't Stop." Nov. 30.
Gaylord Perry, 84. The Baseball Hall of Famer and two-time Cy Young Award winner was a master of the spitball who wrote a book about using pitch. Dec. 1.
Bob McGrath, 90. An actor, musician and children's author widely known for his portrayal of one of the first regular characters on the children's show "Sesame Street." Dec. 4.
Kirstie Alley, 71. The actor known for her work on "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet," among many other films and TV shows, reportedly died of cancer. Dec. 5.
Gary Friedkin, 70. A local actor know for his work on "Happy Days" and "Young Doctors in Love," died from COVID-19 complications Friday in a Youngstown hospice.
Mike Leach, 61. The gruff, pioneering and unfiltered college football coach who helped revolutionize the game with the Air Raid offense. Dec. 12.
Stephen "tWitch" Boss, 40. The longtime and beloved dancing DJ on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and a former contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance." Dec. 13. Died by suicide.
Franco Harris, 72. The Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored the "Immaculate Reception," considered the most iconic play in NFL history. Dec. 20.
Pelé, 82. The Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century — as soccer's most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team. Dec. 29.
Barbara Walters, 93. An intrepid interviewer, anchor and program host, she led the way as the first woman to become a TV news superstar. Dec. 30.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 95. A German theologian who tried to reawaken Christianity in a secularized Europe and who will be remembered as the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. Benedict announced in 2013 that he no longer had the strength to run the 1.2 billion-strong Catholic Church. Dec. 31.
Notable Deaths of 2022
In Memoriam: Notable people who died in 2022
Celebrity Deaths in 2020 — Six Estate Planning Lessons We Can Learn
Why Estate Planning Can be A Great New Year Resolution For 2023.
'Tis the Season for Estate Planning
The New Year usually offers up a batch of resolutions to help us change our ways and set new goals. We look forward to the new year ahead, excited at the prospect of offering fresh energy and a new approach–of bringing an improved version of ourselves into the future.
So, our resolutions often start with the most common actionable goals. We commit to eating healthier, exercising more, and organizing our home office. But there may be other highly impactful goals to be set and achieved?
There can't be a better New Year's resolution to make–and keep–than estate planning. And with just a little focus and application you can provide immeasurable comfort and security for your family. Families come together during the holidays as an expression of love and caring. Any discussion about an estate plan is also an expression of love, protection and caring for the surviving family left behind. When brought up with tact and sensitivity, it can be one of the best things to accomplish this holiday season – to ensure that the living legacy of a loved one has been safeguarded. Unfortunately, a majority of U.S. adults do not have a plan.
And what could be better than this holiday season to show love.
Sometimes, just the idea of estate planning can raise all sorts of questions and bring up a slew of conflicting emotions, many of which boil down to facing some challenging realities. But we know that the advantages will far outweigh the disadvantages. And therein lies the big payoff. Your satisfaction in securing your family's financial future–to the full extent of your abilities and resources–is worth any temporary discomfort.
Proper estate planning will minimize the legal interventions, translating directly to time and money saved. Make this start of the new year the time you finally meet with your family and discuss future contingencies. Let them know you're putting a plan together to protect them if you're not there to help ensure their welfare.
Estate Planning is Not as Daunting as You Think
When it comes to making complicated financial decisions, especially those that involve some hard calls, many of us procrastinate and stall. Let us provide some simple tools to help you turn this seemingly daunting task into easy-to-follow, manageable steps.
Security Matters–New Year's Day and Every Other Day
We all wish for continued good fortune and health for ourselves and our families. Yet, we understand that life is nothing if not uncertain. And we know that, in the end, we will rest easier if our family's financial future is secure. Did you know that most Americans do not have a will or estate plan? So what happens to your family if you're not here to make tomorrow's decisions? This uncertainty is not what you want for your loved ones. See our blog on talking to aging parents about estate planning for some helpful guidance to familiarize you with the process and get you started.
Estate Planning Makes Good Financial Sense
Do you wonder about the affordability of estate planning? In general, its cost will depend on the size and complexity of your estate. Of course, dying without a will or estate plan means there will likely be court and legal interventions, according to state law. When the courts intervene, there are at least two things that are highly probable: your estate will take longer in probate, and you'll pay more in taxes and fees.
Organization Matters!
Any New Year's resolution with any chance of successful resolution starts with a good checklist. Estate planning is no exception. Organizing your assets digitally and securing original documents or hard copies is the first and most important step in the process. Once organized, you can write a will and specify a financial and medical power of attorney. And remember to update beneficiaries on your bank accounts to help minimize the probate period.
Build Trust and Confidence this New Year
Family dynamics can contribute to the many reasons why you might be uncomfortable with estate planning or sharing your plans with your family members. But in the end, it is time to make the tough decisions, have the hard conversations, and do what you can to benefit your family. And while family members are not necessarily all on board with your decisions, at least it's all out in the open, and you can build from there.
So, as uncomfortable as tackling this 'Estate Planning' goal might initially seem, this is not something to leave for another year. We're here to help you start estate planning. As New Year's resolutions go, putting your affairs in order will be a proud accomplishment. Nothing says "responsible, right, loving action" like creating an estate plan for your family.
New Year's Estate Planning Resolutions
Estate Planning New Year's Resolutions
Creating an Estate Plan Should Be a New Year's Resolution
Lifetime Estate And Gift Tax Exemption Will Hit $12.92 Million In 2023
The Internal Revenue Service Today announced new inflation-adjusted limits for 2023 that will allow well-off folks to transfer much more to their heirs tax free during life—or at death.
One key gifting change is to the annual exclusion: you will be able to give anyone else (and as many people as you want) $17,000 in gifts in 2023, without worrying about using up your lifetime gift and estate tax exclusion or paying gift tax. That's up from $16,000 in 2022 and $15,000 in 2021, where it had been stuck since 2018.
The other big change: the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption (also known as the unified credit), will jump to $12.92 million in 2023, up from $12.06 million in 2022. Since couples share their exemptions, it means a wealthy couple that starts making gifts in 2023 can pass on $25.84 million.
Another way to look at it: if they have already maxed out their nontaxable gifts, they can give an extra $1.72 million to their heirs in 2023. That's in addition to making $34,000 per couple (two times $17,000) in annual gifts to each child, grandchild, sister, brother, niece, nephew, neighbor and friend they're feeling generous towards.
(The IRS also announced today dozens of 2023 inflation adjustments affecting the income tax. You can see all the new numbers in Revenue Procedure 22-38.)
In addition to making annual $17,000 gifts, you can also pay unlimited amounts for anyone's tuition or medical expenses, without eating into your lifetime exemption, so long as you make those payments directly to the school or medical provider.
The estate tax is assessed at a 40% rate for the largest estates. But the $12.92 million per-person lifetime exemption is really only a starting point for the very rich when it comes to wealth transfer. A variety of planning techniques involving GRATs and other trusts can be used to leverage that exemption. Even today's bear market provides planning opportunities.
See: Is Inflation High Compared To Years Past? BreakingDown Inflation Rates By Year
Note that unless you're ready to part with assets during your life, that new $12.92 million exemption number is not guaranteed. Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (a.k.a. the Trump tax cuts), that lifetime exemption will fall by more than half at the start of 2026. (Republicans made the individual Trump tax cuts temporary to squeeze more cuts into their already pricey package.)
Whether the estate and gift tax exemption will actually decline so dramatically will depend, of course, on the political control of Congress and the White House come 2025 and 2026 and the budget and deficit pressures of the day. (An early version of the Democrats' proposed Build Back Better Act would have cut the exemption in half—but that provision was unlikely to win the support of more conservative Senate Democrats.)
IRS bumps up estate-tax exclusion to $12.92 million for 2023. Here's what that means for wealthy Americans
What's the Gift Tax Exclusion for 2023?
Estate Tax Exemption Amount Goes Up for 2022
The One New Year's Resolution That Creates Lasting Change
Cindy Kostenski December 30, 2022
Planning for your Future with an Estate Plan.
If you think of estate planning as something only ultra-wealthy people need to do, you're not alone. That's a common misconception. Why can this be The One New Year's Resolution That Creates Lasting Change?
Financial planners know that most people need to have estate plans, no matter how much or even how little money they have. An estate plan includes healthcare directives and identifies guardians for minor children in the event you and your spouse die unexpectedly. It also can be created to avoid your family from having to go through probate court.
Skipping this part of your overall financial and legal life could put you, your assets and your family members at risk. Estate planning is done to protect you and your loved ones. That's just one reason why everyone needs one. Having an estate plan protects you while you are living.
An estate plan is more than just a will or a trust. The two most common tools in an estate plan are a will and trust, but that's just the beginning. A will, or last will and testament, is the document that provides the instructions for your heirs and beneficiaries to follow after you die. Trusts are used to protect assets and enforce your wishes, after you're gone. However, a good estate plan should also include these documents:
An advance healthcare directive or healthcare proxy. These documents stipulate how you want to be treated, if you are alive but so sick or injured that you can't provide directions. You may want to have a Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR).
Powers of attorney. This legal document outlines who can represent you in legal, medical or financial matters, if you are not able to do so.
The right documents help avoid probate court. If you don't have a will, any property or possessions must go through the probate system. Your documents and information about your assets become part of the public record and can be seen by anyone. Going through probate opens the door to litigation and disputes, which can further delay settling your estate. Having a will and the proper trusts gives clarity to heirs about what you want.
An estate plan protects your children. If you don't have a will, a court names the guardian who will raise your children. Instead, decide who you would want. Make sure the person you want to care for your children will accept this responsibility. Trusts are a way to preserve assets for your children. The trust is managed by a trustee after you die and can stipulate specific rules and uses for the assets. For instance, you can provide a certain amount of money for the children, until they reach age 18. At that point, your trust could instruct the trustee to use the money for college expenses. You can be as specific as you wish.
Meet with an estate planning attorney familiar with the laws of your state. An estate planning attorney will know the estate and tax laws that apply to you and your family. Let this be the One New Year's Resolution That Creates Lasting Change.
Leaving a legacy: Why everyone needs an estate plan
Why Everyone Needs an Estate Plan
Estate Planning Is a Gift and a Legacy for Loved Ones
What Is The Place of the Metaverse and Digital Assets in Estate Planning
The Place of the Metaverse and Digital Assets in Estate Planning
It is not strange to hear news of people dying intestate, often leading to the loss of valuable property. Innovators continue to create novel uses of technology and thus creating new types of digital footprints and property, piling complexities to an already challenging area of the law. The Metaverse is no exception.
By now, you've heard of this virtual world, but did you know your clients are spending real money living in it?
Before going all-in into estate planning as it relates to digital property and the Metaverse, it is essential to understand what the Metaverse entails. The Metaverse can be rightly described as a virtual space where businesses and individuals can purchase different assets, ranging from real estate to pictures and practically any other type of property.
It has become even more attractive recently, with big brands like Nike selling an NFT sneaker for $134,000. Gap and Walmart are investing heavily. Digital-only real estate brokerages are opening in the Metaverse. Decentraland is registering around 21,000 virtual real estate transactions in its Metaverse. These amount to a total value of $110 million in 2021, giving individuals access to valuable property. However, with the increasing popularity of the Metaverse comes the ultimate question – "what happens upon the death of a property owner or account holder?"
Management of Property in the Metaverse
Individuals and businesses continuously increase their portfolios in the virtual space, making it even more imperative to manage their assets effectively. At the same time, they're alive to ensure they can be accessed and transferred upon death. The Metaverse and virtual assets have several use cases, including personal use and play in the Metaverse, collectible value, and investments. The situation is even more problematic as several privacy laws, and Terms of Service Agreements (TOSAs) put in place to safeguard a user's privacy remains in force even in the event of death.
These TOSAs make it challenging and probably impossible for the estate to discover the metaverse account and inherent assets upon the account holder's death. Since the Metaverse is not a legal financial institution, such accounts won't be turned over to the state or province as abandoned property, leaving them valueless and useless—a loss to loved ones, charities, and business owners.
Discovery of Accounts and Inherent Assets
Events have revealed that such accounts are rarely discovered. While loved ones and representatives might get lucky to know of an account in the Metaverse, they will need much more to access the contents and data they need. Accurate records of their account's existence tied to the account holder(decedent), proof of financially value property existence, or an explicit declaration of disclosure of the account's contents is necessary.
These can include but are not limited to possession of transaction receipts, which are often buried in email, stored on files hidden in layers in folders, or concealed in apps to take any action. Unfortunately, relying on passwords is risky and can be deemed criminal activity, seen as account holder impersonation that could permanently lock out accounts, data, and assets.
New fiduciary access laws enacted in most states articulate the requirements for compelling a content provider to disclose the account's contents. Without meeting the laws' requirements, it is entirely up to the content provider to decide what will be released to the estate or trust.
Distribution of Assets in the Metaverse
There are no industry standards regarding the distribution of assets in the virtual space in this still-emerging industry. Therefore, each content provider (custodian) has the discretion to handle such matters, and while some have made provisions in their Terms of Service Agreements, others have not. Even after gaining access to the account and its contents, securing the property and safeguarding it until the heirs decide can be daunting.
How to cash out the digital property
Digital assets are often sold and bought on exchanges and online marketplace such as OpenSea, Veve, and Rarible, featuring investors, traders, and assets such as digital arts. Multiple such platforms have recently emerged to meet different users' growing and diverse needs. However, getting the most suitable exchange regarding user-friendliness and reliability is not straightforward, especially with the continuous influx of online marketplaces. Consequently, it is imperative for lawyers to be apprised of the Metaverse and how it works to help clients effectively manage their virtual assets.
The Directive Communication Systems Solution
Directive Communication Systems aims to help lawyers, financial advisors, and their clients prepare digital property for an individual's estate through a user-friendly online platform. The platform is designed to record online accounts, apps, contents, and disposition instructions for estate planning purposes.
Directive Communication Systems works with professional advisors and their clients to ensure that wealth and estate plans are complete by including digital property without requiring clients to provide passwords. DCS also helps protect the law firm from achieving the desired client's goals while preventing future court actions and litigation.
The focus of DCS is digital property succession management, with highly experienced and well-trained professionals handling all types of cases, including domain names, URLs, social media, cloud-based storage, and a host of others.
Metaverse 101: What does it mean for digital assets?
The Metaverse: Personal property security in digital assets
Also, read one of previous Blogs here:
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL ASSETS
Disability Panel, Would One Benefit You?
WHAT IS A DISABILITY PANEL?
A Disability Panel defined: a group of people chosen by the Settlor to determine if the Settlor retains the capacity to serve as trustee of her trust.
Disability Panels are typically included in higher net worth planners' trusts. Lawyers place a premium on privacy. Lawyers are required by law to protect a client's secrets. Also, most clients are secretive about their estate, its contents, and its value.
Lawyers often see issues carrying out the Settlor's intent in the operation of his estate plan. Potential beneficiaries may not agree with what the trust says. This can lead some people to believe that they can achieve a more desirable outcome for themselves if they control the Trust.
GOOD REASONS FOR USING A DISABILITY PANEL?
There are good reasons to use Disability Panels. The obvious reason is to make sure the settlor still has the capacity to manage his or her estate. If the Settlor has a catastrophic medical event she may not be able to carry out her duties as trustee. If she develops a drug dependency, or mental health problems a Disability Panel may be necessary to determine capacity.
WHEN IS DISABILITY NOT INCAPACITY
But what if she is just aged, or aged and frail, or has a chronic condition which requires care, but her condition does not affect her capacity. Any of the above may physically disable a person but these conditions may allow the settlor to continue to manage her estate.
There are also patently invalid reasons to use a Disability Panel clause. Care must be taken to ensure that only good reasons for using the Disability Panels are used. This is solved by careful drafting. The Settlor and his successor trustee must understand the clause.
GOOD REASONS TO USE THE DISABILITY PANEL
Good reasons to use disability panels are many. First, privacy is the most common reason. Then there is protecting the family name, or the family business. There is also the possibility that use of the Disability Panel will get the person suffering from the disability or incapacity the treatment they need, without risking general public disclosure of the fact that they need treatment.
Second, there is still a stigma that attaches to becoming disabled. It can attach even if it is your parent and not you who is disabled. To protect themselves some people may want a disabled person who still has capacity removed from the public eye.
Reversibility is another valid reason for using the Disability Panel. The family that will have to care for the disabled family member can act as an advocate for the settlor's recovery and bring him home as soon as possible.
Defining Incapacity in the Modern Estate Plan
Making Decisions for Someone at the End of Life
What is a Disability Panel and How Does it Work?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Jumbo-Visma
Netherlands | Team website
The Dutch team formerly known as Belkin which was formerly known as Rabobank which formerly known as LottoNL-Jumbo which was formerly known as six other things, has been around for so long most of their riders weren't even born the first time they rode the Tour de France (in 1984 as Kwantum). Since Euskaltel have disbanded, they've got the orangest, booziest fans in cycling, despite the team kit being a yellow and black combo. Said team kit comes in two sizes: extremely tall and broad, or extremely tall and skinny.
The team's biggest recent successes have come through sprinter Dylan Groenewegen, while Grand Tour overall chances have rested on the sizeable shoulders of Steven Kruijswijk.
After a few years of poor results, the team switched focus and began recruiting strong climbers to compete at Grand Tours. For the last few years, they have been edging up the rankings, with riders claiming stage victories and top ten overall finishes. Success finally came in 2019 when Primoz Roglic, the former ski jumper, won the overall at the Vuelta.
They scored one of the biggest transfer coups for 2019, securing the services of cyclocross star Wout van Aert, who at just 24 years old, is surely a Classics winner in the making. The star studded lineup also included Tom Dumoulin, George Bennett, Laurens De Plus and Sepp Kuss.
Wout van Aert will race cyclocross World Championships
Wout van Aert has announced he will be racing the cyclocross World Championships next month.
Jumbo-Visma target 2020 Tour de France with three leaders in Dumoulin, Roglič and Kruijswijk
Jumbo-Visma will adopt the Movistar approach in the 2020 Tour de France, taking three leaders in Tom Dumoulin, Primož Roglič and Steven Kruijswijk.
Wout van Aert wins legal battle against former team after he broke contract
Wout van Aert has won his legal battle against his former team after he unilaterally terminated his contract.
Jumbo-Visma to jump up team rich list after budget increase for 2020 season
The Dutch squad are now only just inside the richest top half of WorldTour squads
Primož Roglič takes chaotic Tre Valli Varesine 2019 after chase group led wrong way on course
Primož Roglič powered away from an elite group in the final kilometre of Tre Valli Varesine 2019 to take another late-season victory.
Tony Martin abandons Vuelta a España after crash involving Primož Roglič and Miguel Ángel López
The Vuelta a España offered up more drama on stage 18, as Tony Martin was forced out of the race after a crash that also brought down some of the overall favourites.
Primož Roglič extends contract with Jumbo-Visma despite rumours
Primož Roglič has signed a long-term contract extension with Jumbo-Visma, despite rumours he could leave the team.
Steven Kruijswijk abandons Vuelta a España 2019
Steven Kruijswijk has been forced to abandon the Vuelta a España 2019.
Wout van Aert's cyclocross season still in doubt after Tour de France crash
Wout van Aert's cyclocross season remains in doubt, a month after he suffered a gash to his leg at the Tour de France.
Jumbo-Visma's budget will increase to €20million as team chase Grand Tour success
Jumbo-Visma are continuing their pursuit of Grand Tour success with an increased budget of €20million.
Jumbo-Visma confirm Tom Dumoulin signing
Jumbo-Visma have quietly confirmed the signing of Tom Dumoulin, after the Dutch star ended his contract with Sunweb.
Jonas Vingegaard emerges the strongest of young riders to win stage six and take race lead at Tour of Poland 2019
Jonas Vingegaard emerged as a deserving winner from the next generation of talent on stage six of the Tour of Poland.
Still not clear when Wout van Aert will race again after Tour de France crash
Wout van Aert is still unsure when he will be back to racing after a gruesome injury he suffered at the Tour de France.
'We're 180 idiots riding in the way of each other': Tour de France riders give their thoughts on Luke Rowe & Tony Martin disqualification
Riders are fairly unanimous in their agreement that the two riders shouldn't have been thrown out of the Tour de France
Watch: Luke Rowe and Tony Martin give their verdict on incident that saw them expelled from Tour de France
The pair both say their actions were "in the heat of the moment" and apologised
Wout van Aert set to leave hospital in Pau four days after Tour de France crash
Wout van Aert is due to leave hospital four days after suffering a deep wound to his leg at the Tour de France.
Wout van Aert out of Tour de France after time trial crash
The Belgian collided with a barrier during the Pau time trial
Daring to dream: How Jumbo Visma built their Tour challenge
George Bennett accepts sacrificing his own GC chances to support team aims at Tour de France
The New Zealander was called back to fetch water bottles in a crucial moment on stage 10, resulting in him losing almost 10 minutes
Questions raised over use of ketone 'miracle drink' at Tour de France
Jumbo-Visma, who have so far won four stages in this year's race, confirmed they had been using the dietary supplement
'I had a difficult start to the Tour': Comeback for Dylan Groenewegen at Tour de France 2019 with 74km/h sprint
Dylan Groenewegen admitted he struggled in the opening week of the Tour but found glory on stage seven.
Marcel Kittel's racing return in doubt with Jumbo-Visma deal unlikely
The German is on indefinite leave from cycling, but was linked to a return to racing with Jumbo-Visma
Wout van Aert: 'Julian Alaphilippe was stronger than the whole bunch, I couldn't do more'
The Belgian missed out on the opportunity to take the yellow jersey in his debut Tour de France
Who is Mike Teunissen? The unexpected first yellow jersey wearer of the Tour de France 2019
The 2019 Tour marks the high point of his career so far
'To get the yellow jersey over Peter Sagan makes it even more special'
Mike Teunissen rescues Jumo-Visma's Tour de France opening stage after lead sprinter Dylan Groenewegen crashed
Cycling Weekly - magazine subscription


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A boy who has a bad Christmas ends up accidentally summoning a Christmas demon to his family home.
The Buzz: Chances are Trick 'r Treat director Michael Dougherty has another cult hit on his hands at the very least with this holiday horror story, which is only rated PG-13, sadly. Of course that might mean a more explicit version is waiting in the DVD/Blu-ray wings?
The Buzz: Looks like a finely tuned release is in store for this hagiography that seems to be a campaign for Mother Teresa posthumous canonization as it steers clear of all of the controversial aspects of her life and work.
Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.
The Buzz: We hear this film's style threatens to overwhelm its substance at any and every moment, and that's one of many reasons we've been driven mad with anticipation for Justin Kurzel's follow-up to Snowtown.
The Buzz: Underrated director Julian Jarrold has assembled one of the more appealing casts of the year for what seems to be a feather-light but imminently watchable slice of royal-girl fantasy. congratulations to star Bel Powley for her breakout year with The Diary of a Teenage Girl, a performance for which she just won a Gotham Award.
The Buzz: Apparently Tetsuya Nakashima's take on Akio Fukamachi's novel is a brutal endurance test anchored by Koji Yakusho's performance as a broken former police detective who returns to action after a triple murder and the disappearance of his estranged daughter. In fact, we understand Yakusho's character is the only thing that keeps the viewer from falling into an abyss. In other words: Kanako has been up to some particularly nasty business.
The Buzz: A Letter to Elia documentarian Kent Jones deepens his focus on great directors with his latest project, which played well at Cannes and other fests.
The Buzz: Holiday-themed movies haven't caught on with audiences yet this season, so we're unsure how this ensemble comedy will perform, though it seems to be made for Faith audiences but marketed as a movie for one and all. No matter the subject matter, we love that Patrick Stewart has been spending time on the big and small screens this year, though.
The Buzz: While we all await the fate of Jon Snow, Kit Harington pairs up with Peter Firth, star of the long-running BBC One series "MI-5" for a continuation of the show that arrives on the heels of real-life terrorist attacks in Europe and Asia. Jennifer Ehle also has a lead role in the film, though you wouldn't know that from the marketing.
Based on the 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home.
The Buzz: Maggie Smith segues from "Downton Abbey" to revisit a role she has famously played on stage and on the radio. With stage and screen director Nicholas Hytner guiding the way, we wouldn't be surprised if the story of Miss Shepherd enjoys a breakout success. We're happy to see that the wonderfully talented Alex Jennings in the role of playwright Alan Bennett.
The Buzz: Director Jared Hess and his co-writer and wife Jerusha's new comedy doesn't seem as outlandish as Gentlemen Broncos, which is a good thing according to the fair-minded reviewers we've encountered who caught Don Verdean on the festival circuit and were pleasantly surprised by it. Our hunch that Jemaine Clement makes it all worthwhile seems to be correct, though. Also, note that Jared directed Masterminds, the heist comedy that has been sidelined by the studio Relativity Media's bankruptcy saga and had its release date yanked (more than once).
The Buzz: Ale Abreu's animated tale, thematically concerned with globalization, was the big winner at this year's Annecy Awards (which were held back in the summer). Is an Oscar nomination next?
The Buzz: Zosia Mamet, known to many as Shosh on "Girls," plays a bad girl named Shiva in this thriller from indie writer/director Diane Bell that looks subtlety in the face and laughs wickedly.
In the horror of 1944 Auschwitz, a prisoner forced to burn the corpses of his own people finds moral survival upon trying to salvage from the flames the body of a boy he takes for his son.
A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. "Point Break" is inspired by the classic 1991 hit.
baca juga 10 film thailand remaja romantis terbaik buat nambah koleksi film kamu.
2 Komentar untuk "30 Film Barat Terbaru yang Rilis Bulan Desember 2015"
terimakasih daftar2 filmnya gan , bisa saya tonton nanti salah satunya ..


text:
More Americans Playing Overseas
Gijs van Solkema ripped off 4 service aces in SVG Lüneburg's 3-1 win over VCO Berlin.
Bartosz Kurek has Stocznia Szczecin catching their stride. He scored 18 points in thei 3-0 sweep of Resovia.
Bojana Milenkovic Undergoes Surgery In Italy, Replaced In Scandicci By USA's Regan Scott
At Scandicci, Scott will join a team that finished its 2017/18 regular season in second place, sporting a 18-4 record.
LSU's Haleigh Nelson Signs 1st Pro Contract In France
Haleigh is ready to start her professional career
LSU Looks To Continue Momentum With #6 Kentucky
After winning its fifth-straight match last week and a rare open weekend, the LSU volleyball team (16-4, 7-2 SEC) will look to continue the momentum as the Tigers play host to No. 6 ranked Kentucky (17-2, 8-0 SEC) Friday at 7 p.m. in the Maravich Center.
LSU Fights Back After Dropping Set One To Defeat South Carolina
After falling in the first set of the match, the LSU volleyball team (11-3, 2-1 SEC) took the next three sets to defeat South Carolina (8-6, 1-1 SEC) Friday night in the Carolina Volleyball Center.
South Carolina Hosts LSU, Tennessee For Conference Home Opener
The South Carolina volleyball team returns home Friday and Sunday for two crucial conference matchups. The Gamecocks welcome in LSU (10-3, 1-1 SEC)Friday night, and host Tennessee (8-3, 1-1) Sunday afternoon.
#7 Florida Takes Down #13 Florida State in Rival Match
MATCH STATS Florida (7) defeats Florida State (13) (27-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-19) Florida (7-1), Florida State (6-2) No. 7-ranked Florida…


text:
What happens in a case where valuation of a family farm is needed?
By Laura Schantz Updated: December 19, 2016Categories: Asset and Property Issues, Business Valuation and Divorce, FAQs, Financial Issues, Financial Issues, Property Division
I had a farm case like that very recently, and it had just those issues where my client was a peach farmer and he wanted to continue farming. His wife was going to take part of the land and be the one in charge of developing it. In most of the farm cases, there are multiple parcels of land. What we typically do in a divorce situation is we divide up the parcels of land. A lot of times, one of the people, let's say it's the farmer husband, has had the land in his family for generations. It's tough. It's kind of gut wrenching for that farmer to have to divide up land that has been in his family for generations.
Typically, if they have children together, the thought would be that the spouse – the wife – would eventually, when she passes, give the property back to the children, and it would be back in the family. That's one kind of silver lining. In terms of valuing land for development in that case, it takes a lot of money to develop farmland. There was a road in that case that needed to be built before anyone would consider purchasing this property as a developed property. That road itself was going to cost $1,000,000. We ended up valuing the property as it was right then and there because that's what the value was. There was going to be a lot of expense put into getting that land ready for development.
The farmer was able to keep the major parcels that his peach farm was on. I think we got a very good solution for that family. Every case is different. But it sort of depends on development of how far along are you in the process and what kinds of costs are there going to be going forward when you talk about how we're going to value this property.
Laura Schantz, a Beaverton divorce and family lawyer and mediator has helped clients find creative solutions to complex financial matters involving asset division, spousal support, and child support. To learn more about Laura Schantz and her firm, visit www.oregondivorceattorney.com.
Podcast: Beaverton Family Lawyer on Divorce with a Business Involved
7 Key Factors When Negotiating Your Divorce Settlement
Important Factors to Remember when Negotiating Your Financial Divorce Settlement
February 10, 2016 (0) Comments Categories: Asset and Property Issues, Business Valuation and Divorce, FAQs, Financial Issues, Financial Issues, Property Division


text:
"""
.. module:: pytfa
   :platform: Unix, Windows
   :synopsis: Thermodynamics-based Flux Analysis

.. moduleauthor:: pyTFA team

Some tools around COBRApy models used by pyTFA

"""
import re

Formula_regex = re.compile("([A-Z][a-z]*)([0-9]*)")

def check_reaction_balance(reaction, proton = None):
    """
    Check the balance of a reaction, and eventually add protons to balance
    it

    :param cobra.thermo.reaction.Reaction reaction: The reaction to check the
        balance of.
    :param cobra.thermo.metabolite.Metabolite proton: *Optional* The proton to add
        to the reaction to balance it.

    :returns: The balance of the reaction :

        * ``drain flux``
        * ``missing structures``
        * ``balanced``
        * ``N protons added to reactants`` with ``N`` a :any:`float`
        * ``N protons added to products`` with ``N`` a :any:`float`
        * ``missing atoms``

    :rtype: str

    If ``proton`` is provided, this function will try to balance the equation
    with it, and return the result.

    If no ``proton`` is provided, this function will not try to balance the
    equation.

    .. warning::
       This function does not verify if ``proton`` is in the correct
       compartment, so make sure you provide the ``proton`` belonging to the
       correct compartment !

    """
    # Sum of the total charges of both sides (reactants counted negatively,
    # products counted positively)
    sum_charge = 0

    if len(reaction.metabolites) == 1:
        return 'drain flux'

    # Count the atoms on each side
    Atoms_sum = [0] * 26

    for metabolite in reaction.metabolites:
        if metabolite.formula == 'NA' or \
           metabolite.formula is None:
            return 'missing structures'
        metCharge = metabolite.thermo.charge_std
        metCoeff = reaction.metabolites[metabolite]

        sum_charge += metCharge * metCoeff

        # Parse the formula to extract atoms
        atoms = Formula_regex.findall(metabolite.formula)

        for atom in atoms:
            try:
                id_ = ['C', 'N', 'O', 'H', 'P', 'Na', 'Mg', 'S', 'Cl', 'K',
                'Ca', 'Mn', 'Fe', 'Ni', 'Co', 'Cu', 'Zn', 'As', 'Se', 'Ag',
                'Cd', 'W', 'Hg', 'R', 'Mo', 'X'].index(atom[0])
            except ValueError:
                # Jorge Carrasco: Can we use warnings here?
                reaction.model.logger.warning(
                    'Warning : ' + metabolite.formula + '/' + atom[0]
                )
                continue

            Atoms_sum[id_] += metCoeff * (int(atom[1]) if atom[1] else 1)

    # Find unbalanced atoms
    nonNull = [i for i in range(26) if Atoms_sum[i] != 0]

    # If everything is balanced
    if len(nonNull) == 0 and sum_charge == 0:
        return 'balanced'

    # Add protons to compensate if possible
    if (proton and len(nonNull) == 1
        and nonNull[0] == 3
        and Atoms_sum[3] == sum_charge):

        reaction.add_metabolites({proton: -sum_charge})

        if sum_charge > 0:
            return str(sum_charge) + ' protons added to reactants'
        else:
            return str(-sum_charge) + ' protons added to products'

    return 'missing atoms'

def find_transported_mets(reaction):
    """
    Get a list of the transported metabolites of the reaction.

    :param cobra.thermo.reaction.Reaction reaction: The reaction to get the
        transported metabolites of

    :returns: A dictionnary of the transported metabolites.
        The index corresponds to the seed_id of the transported enzyme

        The value is a dictionnairy with the following values:

            * coeff (:any:`float`):
                The stoechiomectric coefficient of the enzyme
            * reactant (:any:`cobra.thermo.enzyme.Metabolite`):
                The reactant of the reaction corresponding to the transported
                enzyme
            * product (:any:`cobra.thermo.enzyme.Metabolite`):
                The product of the reaction corresponding to the transported
                enzyme

    A transported enzyme is defined as a enzyme which is a product and a
    reactant of a reaction. We can distinguish them thanks to their seed_ids.

    """

    # First, we get all the reactants of the reaction
    reactants_coeffs = {}

    for met in reaction.reactants:
        reactants_coeffs[met.annotation['seed_id']] = {
            'coeff':reaction.metabolites[met],
            'met':met
        }

    # Initialize the dictionnary we will fill with the transported metabolites
    trans_coeffs = {}

    for met in reaction.products:
        seed_id = met.annotation['seed_id']

        # If the seed_id also corresponds to a reactant, we add it to the result
        if seed_id in reactants_coeffs:
            trans_coeffs[seed_id] = {
                'coeff'    : max(
                                abs(reactants_coeffs[seed_id]['coeff']),
                                abs(reaction.metabolites[met])
                            ),
                'reactant' : reactants_coeffs[seed_id]['met'],
                'product'  : met
            }

    return trans_coeffs

def check_transport_reaction(reaction):
    """

    Check if a reaction is a transport reaction

    :param cobra.thermo.reaction.Reaction reaction: The reaction to check

    :returns: Whether the reaction is a transport reaction or not
    :rtype: bool

    A transport reaction is defined as a reaction that has the same compound
    as a reactant and a product. We can distinguish them thanks to their seed_ids.
    If they have one
    If not, use met_ids and check if they are the same, minus compartment

    """
    seed_ids = {}
    try:
        for reactant in reaction.reactants:
            seed_ids[reactant.annotation['seed_id']] = True

        for product in reaction.products:
            if product.annotation['seed_id'] in seed_ids:
                return True
    except KeyError:
        reactants_ids = [x.id.replace(x.compartment,'') for x in reaction.reactants]
        product_ids = [x.id.replace(x.compartment,'') for x in reaction.products]

        return set(reactants_ids) == set(product_ids)

    return False

def is_same_stoichiometry(this_reaction, that_reaction):
    this_met_dict = {k.id:v for k,v in this_reaction.metabolites.items()}
    that_met_dict = {k.id:v for k,v in that_reaction.metabolites.items()}
    return this_met_dict == that_met_dict

def is_exchange(rxn):
    return len(rxn.metabolites) == 1

def get_reaction_compartment(reaction):
    """Get the compartment of a reaction to then prepare it for conversion."""
    comp = None
    for met in reaction.metabolites:
        if comp is None:
            comp = met.compartment
        elif met.compartment != comp:
            comp = 'c'
    return comp

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Winning luxury brands are those that prioritise digital competency. Discover the most popular and sought-after luxury brands online in 2018.
With most affluent travellers now researching, planning and booking their holidays online, it has become essential for luxury travel brands to be present at the right time if they want to capture the right audience.
4 essential considerations when marketing to Millennials.
mOOnshot digital co-founder and CTO, Simon Beauloye, has been recognised as one of the World's Top 100 Smartest Digital Marketing Leaders by the the World Digital Marketing Congress. We couldn't be prouder of the award and the work done by Simon and our team that led him there.
Following the introduction of mOOnshot Ventures last week, we're excited today to announce the launch of Luxe Digital, the first project launched under the umbrella of our new ventures arm.
Luxe Digital is an online magazine for luxury professionals that provides forward-thinking leaders and marketers with an opinionated and authoritative source of knowledge to navigate the digital transformation of the luxury industry.
Our team is delighted to unveil today mOOnshot Ventures, the new venture capital arm of mOOnshot digital agency. With mOOnshot Ventures, we're setting up a formal framework to some of the activities that we've been doing with entrepreneurs for the past year. Our aim is to support early stage startups solve global problems in education, media, and sustainable luxury.
Luxury brands are starting 2018 afresh by updating their digital luxury marketing strategy for the year. High-end brands are too often trailing behind other industries when it comes to online innovation. But data show that luxury brands who are embracing digital are winning market shares among the affluent Millennials and Generation Z consumers in Asia.


text:
Q: Mongoose creating indexes that are not in the scheme Mongoose is having a weird behaviour.
In scheme I have a couple of indexes, but sometimes it indexes all fields and other times it indexes just _id. It never makes the index as they are in the scheme. Other schemes are working nice, but this one in particular is giving me problems. Maybe is because it has like 80 fields?
My env is mongodb v2.4.12, node v0.10.40, mongoose npm package v4.0.0
Here is the schema (I took out some fields for clarity):
'use strict';

var log = require('../../../../lib/logging')(module.id),
    config = require('../../../../production.config'),

    me = module.exports = {

        name: 'natstransactions',

        model: {
            originType: { // postback or import
                type: String,
                index: true,
                unique: false,
                required: true
            },
            type: {
                type: String,
                index: true,
                unique: false,
                required: true
            },
            memberid: {
                type: Number,
                index: false,
                unique: false,
                required: false
            },
            //transaction: {
            transaction_id: {
                type: Number,
                index: true,
                unique: true,
                required: false,
                trim: false,
                sparse: true // This makes the transaction to be unique only if not null, so there can be more than one document with null as transaction_id
            },
            post_time: {
                type: Date,
                index: false,
                unique: false,
                required: false
            },
            post_type: {
                type: String,
                index: false,
                unique: false,
                required: false
            }
        },

        virtual: function(schema) {

        },

        postInit: function(schema) {
            // schema.plugin(random, {path: 'r'});
            schema.set('toObject', {getters: true, virtuals: true});
            schema.set('toJSON', {getters: true, virtuals: true});
        }
    };

if (config.debug) {
    inspect(me.name + ' Schema', me);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature and sequence of the preliminary planning accomplished prior to the actual initiation of the Vale Elementary School team teaching program. This paper will not attempt to establish a relationship between improved instruction and elementary team teaching.
Lautensleger, Conrad W., "An Investigation of the Pre-planning Phases of the Vale School Team Teaching Program" (1968). All Master's Theses. 860.


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