How to Talk to Your Parents About Estate Planning
It can be difficult to discuss your parents’ will or estate plan with them. Many adult children put off having the “dreaded talk” with parents and are unprepared when an unforeseen event like an accident or illness happens. A 2022 survey conducted by caring.com shows despite the COVID-19 pandemic, two-thirds of adult Americans do not have a will […]
Who Are Elder Law Attorneys and What Do They Do?
Older and disabled individuals are affected by a wide range of elder law issues. Lawyers who practice elder law assist seniors and loved ones in living better lives by advocating for them and creating legal plans for them. Elder law may include planning for retirement, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, long-term care planning, estate planning, guardianships, and […]
Trustee Responsibilities
When you are considering your estate plan, or are in the middle of it, you may be wondering how your assets will be distributed and who should oversee this. A trust can be a great tool in your estate planning tool kit. A properly created trust can give you and your family more options and […]
Inheritance Settlement
Whether you are identifying an executor (say, on your behalf) or you are the chosen executor, there are certain criteria to consider – the complexity of the task and how you will go about it. The following responsibilities follow the loss of a loved one, beyond the emotional healing process: Preparing for the funeral and […]
Understanding Trust Types
We’ve all heard of trusts, often in reference to someone who is the beneficiary of a trust fund. Some may believe that only wealthy people have trusts, but they are common and useful tools when creating estate plans of all sizes. They are used to manage and protect assets, control the distribution to beneficiaries, and […]
Six Estate Planning Errors to Avoid
When you plan your estate, your assets, interests, and loved ones are protected after your death. There are many individuals who make costly mistakes when they do not seek the advice and guidance of an experienced estate planning attorney. Poor planning can cause additional stress to your heirs in the time of grief in addition […]
An Unmarried Couple’s Guide to Estate Planning
There are more than one million widows or divorcees among the older US population, leading to new partnerships. According to the US Census Bureau, more than half of all older adults have only married once, choosing to stay single for the rest of their lives. In the absence of a legal civil union, marriage, or […]
Providing Income to Heirs Through Charitable Trusts
A charitable trust is a kind of irrevocable trust that benefits both you and the beneficiary while also providing income for your heirs. A charitable trust can provide many financial advantages to those with nonessential assets, such as stocks or real estate, who are philanthropically inclined. Even if you suffer a personal or business financial […]
Lifetime Money Management for Children with Special Needs
Estate planning presents unique challenges for families with special needs children. Planning your estate to use, enhance, and enrich assets for a special needs child while maintaining their enrollment in public benefits programs requires careful consideration. With the help of an estate planning attorney, you can set up a special needs trust to accomplish these […]
History’s Biggest Wealth Transfer
Never before in human history has there been a time like this in terms of finance. Baby boomers are preparing estate plans to leave their legacies to their children, putting America on the cusp of the largest transfer of wealth ever. There will be a wealth transfer of unprecedented proportions over the next 25 years, […]