|
Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 18, 2013 18:12:27 GMT -5
Funky, you and my husband can take pilot lessons together! He's begged to do that for years! That very idea scares me to death--no way I'd fly with him (nor would I let my kids fly with him)!! But he could def fly himself to see me wherever I am!
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Jul 18, 2013 18:36:17 GMT -5
Oddly few people realize how much work goes into running a private practice. There is much more responsibility than just the practice of law. It's excellent money, but funky is right--there is nothing compared to dance recitals and soccer games and honors programs. I definitely think the pay cut will be worth it, especially as far as the kids go. I'll count myself very lucky to get an ALJ job. And I think my children will appreciate it once they are old enough to really understand. I just think this is an unimaginable opportunity and I really hope that I don't miss out on this go around. But if I do, I'll keep on living the dream! It's very difficult to keep a balanced view on this process. On one hand I am ecstatic I've made it this far and can see the light at the end of this long, hard tunnel. On the other hand I read how experienced the competition is, their insider connections, etc and I feel like there is no way I will make it. Are others on the emotional roller coaster with me?? I am with you on the emotional roller coaster. Let's just enjoy the ride while we can.
|
|
|
Post by funkyodar on Jul 18, 2013 18:59:15 GMT -5
Oddly few people realize how much work goes into running a private practice. There is much more responsibility than just the practice of law. It's excellent money, but funky is right--there is nothing compared to dance recitals and soccer games and honors programs. I definitely think the pay cut will be worth it, especially as far as the kids go. I'll count myself very lucky to get an ALJ job. And I think my children will appreciate it once they are old enough to really understand. I just think this is an unimaginable opportunity and I really hope that I don't miss out on this go around. But if I do, I'll keep on living the dream! It's very difficult to keep a balanced view on this process. On one hand I am ecstatic I've made it this far and can see the light at the end of this long, hard tunnel. On the other hand I read how experienced the competition is, their insider connections, etc and I feel like there is no way I will make it. Are others on the emotional roller coaster with me?? I am with you on the emotional roller coaster. Let's just enjoy the ride while we can. Didn't figure you were on the roller coaster MPD. Didn't think your bulldog would meet the height requirement.
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Jul 18, 2013 19:58:29 GMT -5
I am with you on the emotional roller coaster. Let's just enjoy the ride while we can. Didn't figure you were on the roller coaster MPD. Didn't think your bulldog would meet the height requirement. She's riding in the doggie seat next to me! LOL! My wife and I were married at Cedar Point and rode Millennium Force in our wedding outfits right after getting married. I still have a CNN tape of a story on the event.
|
|
|
Post by cougarfan on Jul 18, 2013 21:32:20 GMT -5
Oddly few people realize how much work goes into running a private practice. There is much more responsibility than just the practice of law. It's excellent money, but funky is right--there is nothing compared to dance recitals and soccer games and honors programs. I definitely think the pay cut will be worth it, especially as far as the kids go. I'll count myself very lucky to get an ALJ job. And I think my children will appreciate it once they are old enough to really understand. I just think this is an unimaginable opportunity and I really hope that I don't miss out on this go around. But if I do, I'll keep on living the dream! It's very difficult to keep a balanced view on this process. On one hand I am ecstatic I've made it this far and can see the light at the end of this long, hard tunnel. On the other hand I read how experienced the competition is, their insider connections, etc and I feel like there is no way I will make it. Are others on the emotional roller coaster with me?? Definitely what I miss the LEAST from my prior life is the management of my law practice. It used to be that when on vacation I was still on the phone with my staff several times a day and frequently working remotely; after all, just because I was on vacation didn't mean I wasn't still incurring rent, utilities, insurance, etc. bills. Now when I'm home, I'm home and it's just me and my family, or if I'm home on Columbus Day I'm not worried about what's going on at the office. It's wonderful!
|
|
|
Post by bartleby on Jul 18, 2013 22:13:39 GMT -5
Lurker2active, one thing you may want to think about is the 278 Form, I think that is the number. It is done once a year or every month you do a transaction over $1,000.00. The bummer for you wll be that yoou also have to list your spouse's information, investments, income, business particulars,tax information. They recently asked my wife about details of income from account's receivable from prior llaw practice and particulars about the representtation, which she considers confidential information. The Union President recently said this is reaching harassment levels. It is a great job, it can be a great job, but you won't believe some of the stuff that goes on.
|
|
|
Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 2:46:22 GMT -5
Bartleby, what's that form for? Maybe I missed something.
|
|
|
Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 9:26:16 GMT -5
Definitely what I miss the LEAST from my prior life is the management of my law practice. It used to be that when on vacation I was still on the phone with my staff several times a day and frequently working remotely; after all, just because I was on vacation didn't mean I wasn't still incurring rent, utilities, insurance, etc. bills. Now when I'm home, I'm home and it's just me and my family, or if I'm home on Columbus Day I'm not worried about what's going on at the office. It's wonderful! Cougarfan, you are exactly right! You do get it! I vividly remember being at Disney World with the children last spring and trying to find a place that was quiet enough for me to speak to my staff, return phone calls, and "put out fires". And, sadly, it isn't just me. Since my husband and I are both in the same boat at the same firm, we are both "working" even when we are "off". Oh to spend uninterrupted time with my children! I'm jealous of those who are already getting to live the dream! And I hope to join your ranks...eventually!
|
|
|
Post by bartleby on Jul 19, 2013 11:55:51 GMT -5
It is a financial disclosure form generated from the STOCK act, which was to stop stock transaction on Congressional knowledge, I think, anyhow at first they were going to post all of this on the web, although that is on hold now, but the form is a bear if you have been involved in private practice and feel that the info they want may be confidential between you or your husbands clients and you. Being typical government, right after the ACT was passed, Congress voted to make themselves exempt from it. As an ALJ you will never have insider knowledge to manipulate the stock market, but as we are the golden whipping children of the world, we suffer for stupidity at many levels.
|
|
|
Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 12:03:25 GMT -5
Bartleby, are you saying that I will have to disclose my husband's income if I become an ALJ? We currently have a 7 figure firm (gross not net), and though it will drop some if I leave, it will still have a lot of income. I was going to ask what the rules are for fees if you become an ALJ. Do I have to assign all of my outstanding fees to my husband? (which is what I had intended on doing) We do not handle retained cases, so most or all of our income is traceable to some extent at this point. I was thinking I would have to withdraw on all of my cases (criminal, social security, bankruptcy) and have my husband or one of our associates file an entry.
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on Jul 19, 2013 13:05:43 GMT -5
Bartleby, are you saying that I will have to disclose my husband's income if I become an ALJ? We currently have a 7 figure firm (gross not net), and though it will drop some if I leave, it will still have a lot of income. I was going to ask what the rules are for fees if you become an ALJ. Do I have to assign all of my outstanding fees to my husband? (which is what I had intended on doing) We do not handle retained cases, so most or all of our income is traceable to some extent at this point. I was thinking I would have to withdraw on all of my cases (criminal, social security, bankruptcy) and have my husband or one of our associates file an entry. The STOCK Act's requirements can be easily researched. It is a royal pain in the keister if you or yours is a trader. bartleby is right on that disclosure although there are a number of exceptions for other types of income and financial transactions. As to your future fees, I can tell you that you have to disclose your income annually on a form 278. Its due in my Agency after 4/15 so I take it off my tax return for fees that come in (I'm going to miss them ) Bottom line, you should not have to worry about assigning them. One big concern is conflicts of interest--not a big deal at SSA.
|
|
|
Post by bartleby on Jul 19, 2013 13:10:21 GMT -5
Yes, you will have to disclose all of your husband's income and assets. And they want gross not net figures. Most ALJ's I know, asked other Reps to take over their cases and gave up the fees to avoid impropriety. Escrow accounts seem weird to those that don't have a clue as to what they are looking at. My wife has an MBA among other things and has handled extensive tax cases has prepared our individual 278's 4 times this year and they are still sending them back wanting clarification on my interest in my wife's law practice and our involvement in the corporation that owns our building.. Geeesh, if Rangel had to go through this he certainly wouldn't have gotten in trouble with his offshore holdings, would he? I mean unless he lied..
|
|
|
Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 13:48:51 GMT -5
Oh man. Another thing to worry about. I guess I will resign my position in our corporations that hold various rental properties and buildings and our firm, in addition to giving up all of my cases. That may help simplify things. Of course, we aren't prepared to give up our real estate holdings and so long as an associate in my firm takes over my cases the income will still be held by the firm. None of our income is illegal in any way. We are direct pay from social security and the bankruptcy court and from the state on criminal indigent defense work. We do the occasional divorce, will, and contingency fee case, but that is small potatoes. I think our 1099s from the various agencies should make it easy to figure out, coupled with our taxes. My father in law is a CPA and has been doing our personal and business taxes. Maybe he could figure out how that works. I think I will save the time of researching this until I actually get the job, unless someone recommends something else. Should this dissuade me from wanting to become an ALJ? Will they prevent me from being an ALJ if my husband makes a lot of money ("a lot" being a relative term, of course)? Surely there are judges out there whose spouses are either independently wealthy or make a decent salary. What's the consensus??
Bartleby, did you just resign as a shareholder in your wife's firm and as a shareholder in the corp/llc that owns your building?
|
|
|
Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 13:55:33 GMT -5
Thanks aljfaq, that sounds a lot more reasonable. So, it seems the 1099 from the various agencies/corporations should be sufficient for my husband. And so long as I do not have an interest in any of the corps/llc's, firm, etc, then I wouldn't have any income other than from the ALJ job, beyond perhaps counting any interest earned from my 529 Plan or retirement investments, which may or may not be considered "income".
|
|
|
Post by bartleby on Jul 19, 2013 14:23:27 GMT -5
If you are an ALJ and anyone in your firm or husbands firm gets payment from SSA it could be a problem. I have heard that an ALJ's spouse may not bring cases in the same town as the ALJ's hearing office. Seems preopsterous, but..
|
|
|
Post by chinook on Jul 19, 2013 14:54:00 GMT -5
Lurker
The stock act stuff is a pain but is a requirement of the job. My wife is a partner at one of the larger DC firms. She has an equity interest in the firm which must be reported and then the income from that equity interest is reported. (I use the net as listed on the firm K-1). The bright side is that everything is in broad ranges so you are not reporting specific dollar amounts. I report invesrment real estate, plus stock ownership etc. Then any month you have income of more than $1,000. from a single instrument you have another report. I expect your hubby's interest in his firm will need to be reported. At least they cancelled the posting on the web.
|
|
|
Post by jigjigjig on Jul 19, 2013 15:00:42 GMT -5
Ack! My dates are Aug. 27 & 28. I will have to miss my son's first day of kindergarten! I didn't realize my parenting dilemma would start so early. Dare I try to reschedule?
|
|
|
Post by ruonthelist on Jul 19, 2013 15:55:17 GMT -5
Bartleby, what's that form for? Maybe I missed something. Quickest way to familiarize yourself with it is to go to OGE.GOV and download the form. It is OGE 278. You have to fill it out when you start your gov employment and then annually in May every year after that. Those requirements have been around for years. The STOCK Act added the requirement, which took effect earlier this year, for monthly reporting of certain transactions. Download the 278 and read the instructions to get a clearer idea of what you will be in for.
|
|
|
Post by Gaidin on Jul 19, 2013 16:12:29 GMT -5
Ack! My dates are Aug. 27 & 28. I will have to miss my son's first day of kindergarten! I didn't realize my parenting dilemma would start so early. Dare I try to reschedule? IF I didn't have any other sure fire conflicts on my calendar I would reschedule. My son left elementary school this past May and when I dropped him off for the last day of elementary school I took the same pictures I took the first day of kindergarten. I think he thought I was being a weirdo but it meant a lot to me. On the other hand if you have conflicts or are likely to have conflicts you cannot miss then this is just one of those moments you hope someone will take pictures of for you.
|
|
|
Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 16:20:19 GMT -5
Jig, that's a tough one. Both are very important events. I couldn't imagine missing either. I'm glad mine is in September. Though my husband wants to travel up with me, so I will have to find a family member to come stay at home with the kiddos while we are gone.
|
|