Researching divorce is a challenge for a family historian for a number of reasons. Unlike marriage, divorce is not a “vital record” that can always be found in the same place in county or state records. In reality, the avenue to obtain a divorce varied by place and changed over time in the colonies, territories and states.

It's the season of giving and even during the hardships of 2020, generous sponsors, bidders and donors helped the Indianapolis Bar Foundation raise over $26,000 during IndyBar's Giving, this year's online silent auction to benefit the programs and initiatives of the foundation.

The Estate Planning and Administration Section is honored to posthumously award Jon Williams the 2020 Patricia Paxton Wagner Award for Excellence in Estate Planning and Administration. Pat Wagner, after whom the award is named, was a prominent and universally respected trust officer with the various banks that eventually became Bank One and then JPMorgan Chase. Recipients are noted as having “extraordinary efforts and positive achievements” in estate planning and administration. Prior to his passing, Jon was a partner at Williams Barrett & WIlkowski LLP, where he practiced in the areas of probate, estate planning, financial institutions, health care and elder law. We connected with some people who knew Jon well and wish to share some wonderful things about him.

The Social Security Administration publishes upcoming changes to its social security program every October that take effect on January 1 of the next year. These changes can make a difference in how you plan for or live during your retirement years. It is good practice to create what is known as a "my Social Security" account with the SSA by clicking the "Create Your Account Today" button.

Routine estimates predict that about 50 percent of older adults will require long-term care at some stage of their lives. If you are an adult 65 or more, the percentage moves up to 70 percent. However, the demand for long-term care far outnumbers an affordable or even existing supply. For years the private sector long-term care insurers have been fleeing the marketplace. Americans who currently carry long-term care insurance are a small fraction, about seven percent, adults over 50 years of age. There is a private sector inability to meet Americans' overwhelming long-term care needs at an affordable price.

2020 will be a year to remember for decades to come. In the world of tax and retirement planning, it’s brought opportunities for advisors to present to clients. But unlike those in other years, 2020’s opportunities should be seized now—taken advantage of before year’s end—because they may not be as effective afterward.

2020 has been (and no doubt will continue to be) like riding a roller coaster in a hurricane. Fortunately, for the IndyBar, we have a committed membership that has responded in amazing ways. While the pandemic will affect the practice of law for years to come, we can all be proud of the work our association did to respond in positive and uplifting ways. In a non-COVID year, we would typically recognize our IndyBar award winners at our annual Recognition Breakfast — typically a packed event with comradery and good cheer. Like many things this year, we will recognize our award winners in different (but no less important) ways.

Are you ready? It may be a very busy end to the year for estate planning attorneys. There has been significant discussion regarding potential tax law changes under a new administration. This article talks about the potential impact on year-end planning.

IndyBar will be offering free wills to Indy-area residents who cannot afford an attorney on Tuesday, November 10. This offering was originally being offered exclusively to veterans in conjunction with Veteran’s Day; however, we have a few openings still available so we are opening the opportunity up to all residents subject to meeting financial requirements at 150% of the Federal Poverty guidelines.

As 2020 ticks to a close, IndyBar sections and divisions are in the process of evaluating their committee rosters and determining vacancies for 2021. Now is the perfect time to indicate your interest in serving on a committee. While space is limited, every effort will be made to involve anyone expressing interest in some capacity.