10 Facts You Should Know About Mesothelioma Cancer

1. A definition of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects mesothelium cells. The mesothelium is the protective lining that protects internal organs in the chest, abdominal, and cardiac cavity.
2. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that becomes dangerous when it is broken and fibers are released into the air. When asbestos fibers are airborne, they are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye, so a person isn’t aware they are ingesting them.
3. No amount of exposure is safe.
No matter what your exposure level is, asbestos is a harmful substance that could have adverse effects on your health later in life. Mesothelioma is a preventable disease if you minimize any exposure to this terrible toxin.
4. Mesothelioma has a long latency period.
The average length of latency between exposure and diagnosis is between 35 and 40 years. Mesothelioma has the longest latency period of any asbestos-related diseases.
5. Asbestos was used in thousands of products.
Asbestos has been knowingly used in over 3,000 consumer products including building materials and household products. Some of these products could still be lurking in the structure or the inside of your home.
6. Asbestos can still be found in buildings and products today.
If your home was built before the 1970s, there is a great chance there are asbestos-containing products throughout your home. Asbestos can also be found in many public buildings, like schools built prior to the 1970s for example.
7. Asbestos is naturally occurring.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is mined for use. While asbestos is generally produced through geological processes underground, naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) has also been recently discovered in areas around the country bringing to light the fact that some people may be exposed unwittingly.
8. United States veterans have a high risk of exposure.
While anyone can be diagnosed through direct or secondhand exposure with asbestos, the
United States military is one of the most at-risk groups to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. Many veterans and shipyard workers were exposed through several areas: ships, shipyards, barracks, and while serving in other countries to name a few.
9. Mesothelioma is a global issue.
While asbestos use is limited in the United States, many countries do not regulate its use. Mesothelioma will continue to be a global health concern until asbestos is no longer used worldwide.
10. There is hope for mesothelioma warriors.
While mesothelioma typically has a dire prognosis, researchers and doctors are coming up with increasingly sophisticated ways to diagnose and treat this disease. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with mesothelioma , be sure to search for a specialist and connect with other mesothelioma survivors for support.
There are many ways you can help spread awareness for mesothelioma: share this post with family and friends, participate in an
event to benefit mesothelioma research, and share mesothelioma warrior Heather Von St. James message to “Be a V oice for the Victims.”

5 Tips on Hiring a Lawyer

So, you need a lawyer, for an elder law issue such as long-term care planning or guardianship, for estate planning, an employment matter, litigation, a personal injury, or your'e starting a new business. How do you find the right attorney for you? What's most important to you -- reputation, price, location, experience, age, ethnicity, religion? There are a lot of lawyers out there and your choice can make all the difference between a good experience with successful results and a poor experience that does not help you reach your goals.
So, here are some ideas on how to start:
1. Ask friends, family and professional advisors. Start by asking for referrals from people you trust, including family members, friends and other professionals, such as accountants, financial planners, and lawyers in other specialty areas. The best assurance that you will have a good experience and good results is by engaging an attorney who others have worked with successfully in the past. They will know whether the attorney responds to inquiries, explains legal matters coherently, achieves favorable results and does so efficiently and economically. We always say that good clients are great referral sources because they often know people similar to themselves. Likewise, the people you know likely value the same characteristics in professionals they work with that you do. Of course, it may be easier to ask around for an estate planning or elder law attorney than for a divorce lawyer if you don't want anyone to know that there are issues in your marriage.
2. Check out the Internet. Once you have a few names, check them out on the Internet. Look at their websites. See what they say about themselves and what others say about them. Determine whether they have adequate experience in exactly what you need. See if you feel comfortable with their approach to the law and taking care of clients. But don't worry too much about how glossy or modern their website looks. You're not hiring a marketer or web designer. The words they use are much more important than the look and feel of their site. Also, check out attorney rating websites such as AVVO , Martindale Hubbell and SuperLawyers . But be careful. As a test, I searched on the Martindale Hubbell site for Boston elder law attorneys. The eight attorneys who showed up may be terrific lawyers, but that had simply added elder law to a long list of fields of practice. None are specialists in the field.
3. Consider what's most important to you. Before interacting with an attorney or her office, it's important to take a few moments to reflect on what matters most to you. Is it the cost? The location of the office? The firm or attorney's reputation? Her credentials in terms of certification as a specialist or being named a Super Lawyer or other accolade? Your comfort level in talking with the attorney? Or is it more important that you hire a gladiator to represent you in tough litigation or negotiations? Consider these issues before contacting any law offices so that you keep them in mind when speaking with the lawyer or his office staff. But also keep them all in perspective. If you will be meeting with an attorney or his staff often, location can be very important. But if you will meet in person only once or twice and carry on your communication mostly by email and telephone, location becomes much less important. As I've discussed in a prior blog post , accolades and certifications can reflect skill or simply popularity among other attorneys. Costs are often difficult to determine in advance. Would you prefer to get an answer in 15 minutes from a specialist in a particular field of law who charges the extremely high rate of $500 an hour, or pay a neophyte $200 an hour who needs five hours of research to answer the same question?
4. Interview the lawyer. You can only be certain whether you have a good fit with an attorney by talking with her either over the phone or in person. Lawyers have a wide variety of systems for communicating with prospective clients. Some will talk with them on the phone, some won't. Some will provide a free consultation, some charge from the start or provide a flat fee initial meeting. Their practice often depends on the type of cases they handle. Almost all personal injury attorneys will provide a free consultation because if they take a case it will involve a considerable amount of work over a number of years with a potentially large payoff in the end. Estate planning and elder law attorneys are less likely to provide free initial consultations because their work is more transactional -- the client hires them to complete a specific task as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. A lot of the planning work is actually accomplished in an initial meeting, often lasting from one to two hours. But they may be happy to talk with the potential client on the phone for 10 to 15 minutes prior to her choosing to make the initial appointment, to make sure there's a good fit. When you do interview the attorney or talk to a staff member, here are some questions you can ask: How long have you been in practice? What fields of law do you practice? How long have you been focussed in elder law (or other specialty)? What percentage of your practice is devoted to special needs planning (or other field of law)? What is your fee for an initial consultation? What documentation or information to you need for the initial meeting? How do you determine fees?
5. Clarity. Once you have chosen your lawyer, make sure you and he are both very clear about your expectations, what work the lawyer will accomplish on your behalf, and what he will charge. This should be in writing, whether in the form of a fee agreement or an engagement letter the lawyer sends to you. In terms of expectations, make sure the lawyer and you are on the same page about timing and the level of communication. If you think you will see drafts of documents in a week and the lawyer is thinking they'll take a month, you may be disappointed in his turn around time even though he thinks he's done nothing wrong. This type of misunderstanding could also occur around communication. If you expect the attorney to respond to emails within an hour and he's receiving 100 emails a day and spends much of the day in client meetings, you may not hear back until the end of the day or even the end of the week if he keeps his calendar clear on Fridays in order to catch up. No one is right or wrong, you're just on different pages and need clarity as to expectations.
If you follow these few rules, you are likely to have a good or excellent attorney-client experience and be able to refer your friends and family members to your attorney when they ask for a recommen dation.

Structure annuity settlement

What is a Structured Settlement Annuity?
A Structured Settlement Annuity (SSA) provides tax-free, periodic payments over a period of time, specifically designed to meet an injured party's needs. Specialized consultants facilitate the settlement process, as well as help design and negotiate the structure.
Why choose a Structured Settlement?
Benefits for the injured party:
* Features customized design: Payments are specifically tailored to meet the injured party's particular financial needs over a defined period.
* Emphasizes stability: Payments are designed to help meet the claimant's current and future financial needs.
*Promotes security: Structured settlement provide the dependability of a highly rated financial institution.
Benefits for the defendant:
* Leads to faster settlements
* May reduce costs
* Avoids Jury trials
* May allow for tax deduction (self-insured)
This material is not intended to be used, nor can it be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state, or local tax penalties. This material is written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed by this material. Pacific Life, its distributors, and respective representatives do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Any taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer's particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor or attorney.
Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Insurance products are issued by Pacific Life Insurance Company in all states except New York and in New York by Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Product availability and features may vary by state. Each insurance company is solely responsible for the financial obligations accruing under the products it issues. Insurance product and guarantees, including annuity payout rates, are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company and do not protect the value of the variable invest ment options.

How to Donate a car in California

Are you ready to donate a car in California? If so, good for you! Donating a car to charity is a wonderful decision on many levels. First of all, your donation goes to help a great cause. Plus, you get your old vehicle or junk car moved off of your property free of charge. You are also recycling an old vehicle, and you also get to claim the car donation as a tax deduction.
In this post you'll find some tips on how to donate a car in California and some specific requirements you should be aware of that relate to California car donations.
1. To donate a car in California, you begin by submitting an online car donation form or calling the charity you wish donate your vehicle to. If you wish to claim the car donation as a tax deduction, be sure to check that the charity is an IRS recognized nonprofit organization.
2. The process for receiving the tax receipt for your charitable donation may vary. Some charities will email you the initial receipt while others have the tow truck provide you with the receipt at the time of pick up. This is just an initial receipt and enables you to claim a tax deduction of up to $500. You should check with the charity to find out what their procedure is for providing you with this receipt when you submit your vehicle donation.
3. In the State of California, the license plates remain with the vehicle, so these should not be removed prior to the pickup.
4. Filing a Release of Liability with the California Department of Motor Vehicles is an important step you do not want to miss when you donate a car. This document releases you from future liability which may arise for any reason after the vehicle is donated. In California the procedure for filing a Release of Liability is that you must return the pink portion of the title or DMV form REG 138 to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Alternatively, you can file your release of liability online at http://www.dmv.ca.gov.
5. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, or if it qualifies for a fair market value tax deduction, you will receive additional tax paperwork after the sale of the vehicle takes place. The amount you will be allowed to deduct on your taxes will vary depending on several factors which could include the price the vehicle is sold for or whether the vehicle is classified as a fair market value car donation.
6. One last point we should mention is that if you plan to claim your car donation tax deduction on your 2012 taxes, you need to make sure you donate the car well before the deadline of December 31, 2012. The charity should have possession of the vehicle before midnight on December 31st, or at least have the pickup well in the works, in order for you to claim your tax deduction in 2012. Don’t wait till the last minute as there could be delays that could result in you being unable to claim the donation as a deduction for the current tax year.
If you have any further questions related to your
car donation tax deduction , most charities are relatively knowledgeable about the process and paperwork needed, however, you should consult a CPA or accountant for specifics regarding your particular tax situation.
For additional questions related to car donations in California , you can contact your local DMV or visit the California DMV website for the latest information on state specific req uirements.

Donate a car to charity

It's easy to donate a car to charity if all you want to do is get rid of it. Simply call a charity that accepts old vehicles and it will tow your heap away. But if you want to maximize your tax benefits, it's more complicated. Here's a walk-through of some of the considerations, with the usual proviso that you should discuss these issues with your tax preparer before you act.
You Must Itemize Your Return
If you want to claim a car donation to reduce your federal income taxes, you must itemize deductions. You could itemize even if the donated auto is your only deduction, but that's usually not the best choice.
Here's the math: Suppose you're in the 28 percent tax bracket and the allowable deduction for the vehicle's donation is $1,000. That will save you $280 in taxes. If you're in the 15 percent tax bracket and you get that same $1,000 deduction, it will reduce your taxes by $150.
If the car donation is your only deduction, it's likely that taking a standard deduction would save you thousands more dollars in taxes. The only way that donating a car nets you any tax benefit is if you have many deductions and if their total, including the car, exceeds the standard deduction. And remember, you can always donate as much as you want to charities, but the IRS limits how much you can claim on your tax return.
The 2017 Tax Bill and Car Donations
Taxpayers who are considering donating a car to charity might be wondering how the tax bill passed into law in December 2017 could affect their decision. To begin with, the bill, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, lowered tax rates but also altered the previous income brackets. Beginning in 2018 you may find yourself in a new bracket, which might result in either lower or higher taxes, depending on your individual situation. And that means the tax benefit from a donation might be more or less advantageous.
Another important change is that the new law raises the standard deductions from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and married couples filing separately; from $9,350 to $18,000 for the head of a household; and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples filing jointly. This change likely means that fewer people will find it beneficial to itemize deductions.
"The vast majority of taxpayers are going to take the standard deduction," says David L. Thompson, vice president of public policy for the National Council of Nonprofits . "That means most taxpayers have no incentive to give to charity. That's a serious concern. We fully expect the doubling of the standard deduction to reduce giving by $13 [billion] to $20 billion a year."
With these and other changes resulting from the revised tax laws, it's more important than ever for consumers to consult with their financial adviser or tax preparer before making a decision about donating a car to charity.
The Charity Must Qualify
Only donations to qualified charities can provide a tax deduction for you. A qualified charity is one that the IRS recognizes as a 501(c)(3) organization. Religious organizations are a special case. They do count as qualified organizations, but they aren't required to file for 501(c)(3) status.
To help you determine whether a charity is qualified, the easiest thing to do is to use the IRS exempt organizations site, or call the IRS toll-free number: 877-829-5500.
A Key Concept: Fair Market Value
The IRS defines fair market value as "the price a willing buyer would pay and a willing seller would accept for the vehicle, when neither party is compelled to buy or sell and both parties have reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts." In this scenario, neither the buyer nor the seller can be an auto dealer. Both must be private parties.
What complicates the matter for taxpayers is that under current IRS rules, you can only deduct a vehicle's fair market value under four very specific conditions:
1. When a charity auctions your car for $500 or less, you can claim either the fair market value or $500, whichever is less.
2. When the charity intends to make "significant intervening use of the vehicle." This means the charity will use the car in its work.
3. When the charity intends to make a "material improvement" to the vehicle, not just routine maintenance.
4. When the charity gives or sells the vehicle to a needy individual at a price significantly below fair market value.
Determining Fair Market Value
Edmunds can help you determine your vehicle's fair market value with its Appraise Your Car calculator. Enter the car's year, make and model, as well as such information as trim level, mileage and condition. By looking at the private-party value, you'll get an accurate idea of what your vehicle is worth.
Note the caution from IRS Publication 4303: "If you use a vehicle pricing guide to determine fair market value, be sure that the sales price listed is for a vehicle that is the same make, model and year, sold in the same condition, and with the same or substantially similar options or accessories as your vehicle."
Getting Fair Market Value Is Rare
It's not realistic to expect that your car will meet one of the stringent fair market value requirements. Only about 5 percent of donated vehicles are suitable for use by charity recipients. About a third of donated cars are junked, and the rest are auctioned off.
So unless your car is in good or excellent condition, it will most likely be sold at auction or to an auto salvage yard. In that case, your deduction is based on the car's selling price, not your estimate of its fair market value. And note that this price is not necessarily something you'll know when you donate the vehicle, or even before the next tax-filing time, since an organization has up to three years to sell your car.
Paperwork Is Important
Getting tax benefits for a donated car requires a lot of documentation, whether the car is junked, sold at auction or given to a charity's client. IRS Publication 4303 has all the details. Be sure to keep all the papers or electronic files. You'll need them at tax time.
If there's a delay in getting paperwork from the charity, your first option, according to IRS Publication 526, is to file Form 4868 . That's a request for an automatic six-month extension of time to submit your return. Your second option is to file the return on time without claiming the deduction for the qualified vehicle. When the charity finally sends your notification, you can file an amended return using form 1040X to claim the deduction. You'll have to attach a copy of the notification to your 1040X.
Another Approach To Car 'Donation'
Besides giving your car directly to a charity, there is another way your vehicle can help a charity and also maximize your tax benefits: You can sell the car yourself and donate the proceeds. By doing so, you might be able to generate more cash than if you let the charity sell it.
Parting with your old vehicle could help a nonprofit carry out its mission and also might make room in your garage for a new car. But how you proceed depends on your goal. If you're focused on getting rid of a junker with minimal effort and you'd look at the tax deduction as a nice bonus, then donating your car makes good sense. But if your goal is to maximize your tax deduction, carefully review these steps, consult with your tax adviser and  then make an informed decision.

Online Banking Tips to Keep Your Accounts Secure

Whether you’re checking your bank accounts, transferring funds, or making a payment, online banking is a convenient way to manage your basic transactions. More banks and credit unions are offering online banking options as a convenience to customers, and now it’s easier than ever to keep track of your finances. However, online banking is not without its risks, so you’ll need to be cautious when storing usernames and passwords on your computer, and make sure you’re really logging in to your financial institution’s encrypted site.

Here are seven tips for safe online banking:

1. Monitor your accounts regularly. Check your accounts regularly to make sure all transactions posted are ones you authorized. Report any fraudulent or suspicious activity to your bank. Get into the habit of monitoring your accounts every few days and always after you’ve done any type of online shopping. You will want to make sure your account was charged appropriately and that your account number isn’t being used for other purchases you didn’t make.

2. Avoid clicking through emails. Your bank or financial institution may send you email alerts and updates, but you don’t have to click through the links to access your account. It’s usually much safer to log in to the website manually to ensure you are entering a secure site. Phishing emails redirect the recipient to a malicious website or fraudulent version of the bank’s website and some are designed to collect your username, password, and other personal information. Don’t be afraid to call your bank to verify whether they sent you an email or if they need to get in touch with you. Never respond to emails that ask to verify your identity by providing your username or password. Banks will never ask for this information via email—at most, you will need to supply the answer to a security question and will do this over the phone with a personal banker.

3. Change your passwords regularly. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites and make sure you are choosing a strong password that is a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using any words or phrases that contain your name, initials, or your birthdate. Also get into the habit of changing them every couple of months. Some banks have an extra security step in place, where you will need to verify your identity by identifying a pre-selected image or answering a security question. This extra layer of security can make the online banking process that much safer.

4. Access your accounts from a secure location. Avoid using unsecured wireless access points to jump online and log in to your online accounts. You should access these accounts when you’re certain you have a secure connection. Unsecured wireless access points, such as those found at airports, coffee shops, and hotels, are easy to intercept and someone could easily collect the information you’re using to log in.

5. Protect your computer. Make sure you’re running anti-virus protection software and the firewall is turned on so you aren’t vulnerable to any type of virus that might be downloaded and installed from a malicious site. Take the time to review different programs and pay a little extra for a higher-quality one that will provide you with protection when you are banking online, shopping online, or just opening emails.

6. Check for encryption. You’ll want to check if you’re really logging in to your bank’s site by looking for a small lock icon somewhere on your browser. The URL should also begin with “https.” Both the icon and the URL indicate you are accessing your account over an encrypted connection.

7. Keep your system up-to-date. Whether you’re using a laptop or desktop computer to access the Internet, make sure you’re downloading appropriate updates and keeping your system up-to-date. Run

anti-virus scans regularly and authorize system updates as needed. Some of the leading Trojan horse viruses only work on outdated systems, so your computer may be more vulnerable to an attack unless you continually update it. You can also run scans on a schedule to double-check for bugs .

Top 5 Tips for Improving Student Study Skills

Studying can be a major hurdle for students. Making the most of study time can be particularly challenging as kids head back to school and try to adjust to new classes and sometimes even new surroundings.
With this in mind, EducationWorld offers the following five strategies that target some of the more difficult aspects of studying. Developed by
Eileen Tracy , an Oxford-educated expert in study skills, they offer students a new twist on traditional techniques. During the first days of school, try devoting some class time to honing these important skills.
#5 Time Management – This is often one of the more difficult issues for students to tackle. Between time spent in class, after-school activities and family time, there is very little left for anything else. Tracy suggests sitting down and creating a schedule that works for the individual.
“While there is (thankfully) no such thing as a perfect time-manager, there are various ways, some of them very structured, others much looser, to organize different types of workloads. You can adapt them to suit your preferences so that you have a timetable that works for you. The point of time management is to give you time off, too. Properly done, timetabling offers a balanced way of working, releasing you from the anxieties that go with disorganization. Many students find that this improves their motivation.”
You can work with your students to help them develop a timetable that provides ample study time as well as appropriate down time to avoid burnout.
These EducationWorld resources can help:
Lessons in Time Management
Eliminating Wasted Time
#4 Essay Planning – A common theme explored at EducationWorld is the trepidation many students feel when required to write something. They often feel as though the ability to produce a clear and concise thought on paper is beyond them, and Tracy believes that this is due to a lack of forethought. She suggests that thoroughly planning out the essay before sitting down to write it can be a big step toward improvement:
“Planning takes time and practice, which is why students often try to skip this crucial stage in their hurry to start writing (particularly in exams). ...This is counterproductive: a well-structured essay, rich in analysis, well-argued and relevant, scores many more marks than something that you try to work out as you go along. Examiners’ top complaint is that students don’t answer the question. That’s because most students don’t plan.
By learning to plan, you can develop your ability to read and interpret, to create logical links and to think laterally. You can stop agonizing over how to introduce and conclude your essay. All this will save you hours of redrafting. And in exams, you’ll score points by the power of thought rather than by purely relying on memory. Knowing that you can do this even under exam pressure is a great confidence-booster.”
Even if students have received some instruction on planning before writing, teachers may want to either reaffirm those previous lessons, or add to them. The more students plan, the better their writing will become.
For example, check out these EdWorld resources:
Writing Lessons and Activities for Every Grade
How to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay
#3 Memory Tricks – Mnemonics is a very old technique, but one that still works. On its face, it may seem a bit silly, but for many students this is far more effective than strict memorization. Tracy recommends making the process fun:
“Mnemonics are a huge variety of creative 'tricks' which stimulate your right brain, making it easier to retain all kinds of information than by rote learning. Mnemonics involve making imaginative associations, so students with good imaginations love these techniques. (They can also help you to regain your imaginative powers if these have been lost.) They are particularly useful in subjects such as biology, chemistry and history where names, facts, figures, dates and sequences need to be learned by heart. However, they’re also helpful in other subjects: for instance, I used them in my English Finals exams to remember lists of key points and dates.
Mnemonics bring another benefit: they help you to observe what you remember best. This makes you wiser as to how you should process your learning. Mnemonics take all the worry out of relying on your memory and can put some sparkle into your revision.”
EducationWorld offers the following related tips:
Teaching With Mnemonics
#2 Mindmapping –This is a visual form of studying that prompts students to literally draw thoughts and ideas on paper so they can be reviewed visually rather than verbally. Tracy suggests that this technique can be used with students of all age groups:
“Mindmapping offers a terrific shortcut to revision and essay planning. You can also use it for brainstorming. It works for most subjects, particularly arts and humanities, but also some sciences. It’s effective even at the highest levels of university education. It involves sketching out information in a strikingly visual manner, using key words, colors and making use of shapes and space, stimulating your right brain. This encourages lateral thinking. Students who mindmap comment on how easily ideas come to mind with this technique. Mindmaps are also extremely easy to remember. Whether or not you’re any good at drawing, if you’ve got a creative streak, you’ll find mindmapping a liberation in your studies."
On our Tools & Templates page, EducationWorld provides several graphic organizer templates that can help with mindmapping.
#1 Note Taking – K-12 students typically fall into two categories when it comes to note taking; those who write down everything the teachers says verbatim, and those who write almost nothing down. Tracy suggests that the key to knowing how much to write down lies in the students’ ability to pluck out keywords from a lecture:
“It’s not always obvious how to take good notes from books and lectures: often they turn out to be unhelpful if they’re too wordy or too brief. Some students waste time writing everything out neatly or putting their notes into the computer. None of this is necessary. The art of taking good notes lies in identifying key points. This is a very active form of revision which enables you to summarize and absorb vast quantities of information quickly and easily. You’ll save yourself hours of time, and a small fortune on highlighter pens.”
You can help your students with this skill by starting the year off making special note of key points during a lecture. Saying, 'Write this down because it’s important,' lets the students know the idea is a key one. By the end of the first semester, they should have a pretty good read on your lecture style and their note-taking will be better for it."