Building Your Estate Plan to Eliminate Conflict
Children, including minors and adults, may disagree about family circumstances, especially when it comes to inheriting your estate. Relationships can change and intensify when you die, with underlying issues that bubble to the surface, creating tensions over your estate and possibly tearing your family apart. Even if your children get along well, distribution of your assets […]
Risks Involved with DIY Wills
You can name a personal representative (executor) in your will to carry out your wishes after you pass away. When your will is properly filled out, it will address who will inherit your assets and properties. In addition to asset distribution, your executor makes a public notice of your death, files your final taxes, and […]
Estate Planning and Elder Law
Although elder law and estate planning are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences between them. To prepare for successful aging and preserve a family legacy, it is important to learn and apply strategies from both types of law practice. Estate planning lets families: Name guardians for minor children Manage and protect valuable assets Distribute […]
Trusts and the Role of the Trustee
It is likely that you have questions regarding how you want your assets distributed and who should have that responsibility, regardless of where you are in the estate planning process. 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 […]
A Guide to the Probate Process
The loss of a close relative is one of life’s most emotionally stressful events, in addition to dealing with the deceased’s estate. This part can be especially overwhelming. The process of proving to a probate court that the deceased’s last will and testament is valid and then administering their estate can be confusing and intimidating. […]
The Estate Planning Process with Your Spouse or Partner
You should discuss your estate planning with your spouse or life partner carefully. Before meeting with an estate planning attorney, it is best to discuss your ideas to present a united goal. This conversation can be challenging if you and your loved one have different points of view about your future and the legacy you will […]
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 […]
An Ineffective Power of Attorney
You can appoint a trusted individual to make decisions or conduct transactions on your behalf using a power of attorney. They could be related to personal finances, business operations, or medical needs and used for a single immediate purpose or an ongoing situation. This may sound pretty straightforward. When you are looking for services online, you […]
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 […]