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VIEDA’s Enterprise Zone Commission to host estate planning conferences on St. Croix and St. Thomas

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, USVI – February 28, 2014 – The general public – including residents and business owners of properties within the enterprise zones of Savanne-Downstreet and Garden Street-Upstreet, Christiansted and Frederiksted – will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding about estate planning. Percival E. Clouden, chief executive officer of the V.I. Economic Development Authority (VIEDA), announces that the VIEDA’s Enterprise Zone Commission (EZC), will be hosting its annual free estate planning conferences on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Great Hall on St. Croix, and on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at the Grand Hotel building on St. Thomas located next to the Emancipation Garden in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Both conferences will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The EZC will be offering these conferences to provide attendees with invaluable information on basic estate planning options and information on the probate process in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The attendees will also learn why estate planning is important, particularly for blighted and distressed neighborhoods.

According to CEO Clouden, “These conferences are essential, particularly since there are several properties in our community that have multiple owners and have not been distributed through the probate process. We’re hoping that the individuals who attend will be encouraged to seek information, ask questions, and explore the best estate planning options that are available to them.”

Professionals in the legal field will be part of a panel discussion and will lead breakout sessions with answers to common questions such as 1) What should I do if I don’t have a will or a trust ? 2) I have a will, but are there other ways to plan my estate ? 3) My property has multiple owners and some are deceased, and the deceased owner did not have a will. What should I do ? There is a will, so how do I avoid a lengthy probate process?

The Enterprise Zone Commission is one of five entities under the V.I. Economic Development Authority. It was created by V.I. legislation in 1999 to provide incentives and tax credits for individuals to do business and create jobs for residents in the designated enterprise zones of Savanne-Downstreet, Garden Street-Upstreet on St. Thomas, and Christiansted and Frederiksted on St. Croix. The EZC program also helps residents rehabilitate their homes that are located within the enterprise zones. This program helps revitalize the economy and the physical appearance of blighted and severely distressed areas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Due to space limitations, pre-registration is required. To register for this conference on St. Croix, contact Enterprise Zone Specialist Mr. Deray Calixte at 340.773.6499, ext. 247. To register for this conference on St. Thomas, contact Enterprise Zone Facilitator Mrs. Aasa Gomez at 340.714.1700, ext. 260.

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