Estate Planning

If you are ready to file for divorce, it may seem like you have a million things to do and think about. One item that should be on that list is updating your estate plan.  While the idea of having to deal with more legal matters and documents may be unpleasant, you...

Estate planning is the process of organizing the distribution of a person’s assets while they’re alive in anticipation of their passing. Most people create an estate plan at least once and preferably update it throughout their life. The essential purpose of an estate...

Do you know what an estate plan is? Essentially, an estate plan, for those unaware, is the legal documentation of your last wishes, including, but not limited to, asset distribution and funeral arrangements. While that sounds all well and good, you’re still young and,...

If you put the inheritance that you’re leaving to someone in your will, they get that inheritance as soon as you pass away. There can be a short delay as things go through probate or as the estate executor simply gathers and then distributes the assets. But that...

When you were married, you bought a life insurance policy. Maybe you were the main breadwinner for the family and wanted to make sure that your spouse was provided for if you passed away unexpectedly. However, you have since gotten a divorce. You want to know if that...

As both you and your parents get older, you start thinking about all of the assets that they own. You know that you’re going to have to sort out all these details or handle the assets when they pass away. At the same time, you know that most Americans don’t have an...

If you want to leave money in a trust for a child or grandchild when they reach adulthood (or perhaps for one who already is an adult – at least legally), you have the right to place some conditions on when and for what purpose assets can be distributed to them by...

It’s true that a lot of people procrastinate estate planning. Take, for example, the fact that most Americans don’t have an estate plan. All Americans know that they eventually will need to make end-of-life medical decisions or pass their assets on to someone else,...

Probate court exists in part to help ensure the fair and appropriate distribution of people's property when they die. Left to their own devices, some people will lie to their family members or even steal from an estate. The probate courts help provide oversight for...

There are a few things that nearly everyone needs to include: beneficiaries, asset itemization, executor of the estate and valid signatures for proof of its authenticity. One of the many things people don’t realize is included in a will is a power of attorney (POA)....