Are you crazy about trick or treating? Do you love sitting outside for hours with cold fingers and toes handing out candy to babies and small kids whose parents will probably end up eating most of their goodies? Do you go absolutely insane for the massive amount of screaming, sugar-high children now flooding your neighborhood? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be one of the many disappointed to learn that Halloween is set to be ruined by rainy weather. You may be even more distraught to learn that the city of Shelbyville will continue to observe trick or treating on the actual day of Halloween instead of moving it to the 30^th like many surrounding cities.

Unfortunately, trick or treating will never be moved by the city, so it’s best to start mentally preparing for the rain now. The City of Shelbyville has an ordinance in place that states that trick or treating in the city is permitted on October 31^st, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and that the only time trick or treating is permitted on the 30^th is when Halloween falls on Sunday. Even if the apocalypse was set to fall on Halloween, you would still have to trick or treat from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the 31^st. While it seems like a trivial and almost unnecessary hard and fast rule, don’t expect it to change anytime soon. Our city council is the body of government that handles our city ordinances, including the observation of Halloween trick or treating, and more than likely they are concerned with slightly more pressing matters in our city. However, if the idea of being forced to trick or treat every year on actual Halloween, even in the rain, then you may consider running for city council.

To get an ordinance changed or removed, you have to go through city council. However, city council only meets twice a month and they have a plethora of other issues to discuss, many more important than an ordinance about a holiday that happens once a year. But, if you’re hard-pressed to get the observation of trick or treating modified, or anything else changed, the easiest way is to get onto city council. After all, if you want something done right, do it yourself. Running for and being elected to the city council will let you to attempt to make the changes you want to see in the city. It is a great way to get more connected with the community and it will allow you to better understand the actual issues that are facing our city. Whether you are motivated by keeping trick or treating out of the rain, or by a desire to truly improve our city, consider running for city council. At the very least get familiar with your members and who is running next election as well as attend public hearings to voice your opinions. Be the change you want to see, even if it’s getting a silly Halloween ordinance changed.

There is no debate that Friday is one of, if not the best, days of the week. It marks the end of a work week while signaling the start of a weekend where you’re free to do as you please. Most Friday’s come and go, and we don’t think twice about it; however, this coming Friday is extra special. On Friday, there will be a Mega Millions drawing with a whopping $970 million up for grabs. While no one from Kentucky has ever won the Mega Millions jackpot, it never hurts to try. Worst case scenario, you’re out a couple bucks. But best-case scenario is you’re taking home millions of dollars and the opportunity to fulfill all your dreams. So, what do you do if you actually win big?
 

What To Do First When You Win The Lottery?

While we all dream about winning the lottery, how many of us seriously consider what to do after winning? Probably zero. We know what we want to buy but we have no idea how to actually go about handling the winnings. That is why it is vital to contact an attorney immediately after winning, especially before screaming from the rooftops that you hit it big. Not only will an attorney provide sound advice on how to navigate your newfound fortune, they can also help you save millions in taxes, protect the safety of you and your family, and keep you out of the spotlight.

Research Your States Lottery Laws

When you win the lottery there is a lot you will need to go through before actually claiming the jackpot. After you call an attorney, the first thing you’ll want to ask is how you should handle your ticket and how to go about the claiming process. Every state has their own laws and claiming process regarding lottery winnings, and your attorney will help you correctly navigate that process. They will also advise you on ways you can claim your winnings without losing a ridiculously large chunk to taxes and help you with the lump sum vs. annuity payments decision. Next, it is important to figure out what you want to do with your new fortune. While you may be inclined to buy a new house (or multiple), new cars, or even invest some of it, it is important to hold off on any major money decisions before talking with an attorney. Poor money management and zero professional guidance is how many big lottery winners go broke. Another new issue you suddenly have to think about is what would happen to all your money if you were to die. You’ll have to figure out who gets what, if they need a trust, if you want it donated, and the list goes on. By hiring an attorney, they will assist you with your estate planning, recommend the best financial planners and accountants, and will help you with investing, business planning, etc. An attorney will also help you navigate legal claims such as those that might come about if you went in on a ticket with co-workers or a friend.

Addressing Your Security

Hiring an attorney will also help keep you and your family safe. There are plenty of lottery winners who have been injured and even killed because of people demanding a share of their winnings. Once your name is out there, you’ll become the most famous person for the next week and as a result will be overwhelmed with people wanting handouts, investors, and even death threats. If you wish to avoid the spotlight and keep your anonymity, an attorney will provide you with the best way to do that. Most likely, they’ll help you set up a trust or entity to claim your winnings so that your name is not released and instead it’s the trust’s/entity’s name that people will see. Additionally, your attorney can also help handle the media and other public inquiries if you wish to stay out of the spotlight.

Have An Attorney Help With Your Planning

All in all, winning the lottery is an exciting event that will change your life and the lives of your loved ones forever. However, it is important to take a breath and take the time to think through the chaos before making any decisions. In most states including Kentucky, you have up to six months to claim your winnings, giving you plenty of time to think and plan. An attorney will help you move through this thinking and planning process as well as ensure the safety of you and your family. If you win big, then by all means celebrate (albeit on the down low), but then contact an attorney as soon as possible!

Call the Harper Law Co today for a free consultation. 502-780-2226

Blog Synopsis:

*Food delivered to the county is subject to the restaurant tax
*State Senator Paul Hornback dropped the ball with SB 166
*Our republican City Councilmen have lapses in conservative judgment

Back in February of 2014 our local newspaper wrote an opinion piece supporting a restaurant tax in both Simpsonville and Shelbyville. They stated, “[a] restaurant tax in Simpsonville and Shelbyville can make the county an infinitely more livable place, and having a tourism commission only can (sic) enhance the growth of that revenue pie by selling meals and drinks to out-of-towners…” (I have no idea what the back half of that sentence says either). “…That’s a concept we can savor.”

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the “savor” pun just as much as the next guy; however, when a tax is passed by a city legislative body directly taxing county residents, outside of the city’s jurisdictional bounds, you have taxation without representation, and there is nothing “punny” about that. [Read more…]