Do you have an estate plan? If you don’t, then why not use the New Year as an incentive to get one in place? It’s as good a tactic as any to complete a task you probably know you need to get ticked off. Here are a couple of things to think about over the next few...
Testators, or people drafting estate planning documents, must make many important decisions. For some people, keeping specific resources out of probate court is important. They want to protect them from creditor claims or Medicaid estate recovery efforts. They worry...
When couples sit down to discuss estate planning, the conversation often begins with, "We want the same thing. Everything goes to the kids." While your goals may align perfectly, the legal reality is more complex. Even couples with identical wishes need separate wills...
Estate planning is a process that allows a person to decide how their assets are handled after they pass away. The process involves creating an itemized list of assets, naming beneficiaries and several other steps. Once an estate plan is drafted, many people...
If you have a will, then you're off to a good start. About two-thirds of the adults in the United States haven't taken the time to create one. But an estate plan needs more than just a will. The will is like having only the foundation of a home. It's essential, but...
Divorce is tough. The legal battles, emotional turmoil, and lifestyle changes can be overwhelming. But once the dust settles, there is another crucial task on your list: updating your estate plan. Ignoring this step can lead to unintended consequences. Revise your...
When most people think about estate planning, they immediately think of a will. This document guides the handling of your estate after you pass, but it is not the only tool you can use in estate planning. Certain assets automatically pass to the surviving owner,...
Estate planning is crucial for parents with a special needs adult child. It ensures that the child is cared for and financially secure after the parents can no longer provide support. For parents in this situation, understanding the options and implications of...
Blended families occur when two adults who have children fall in love and get married. It can take quite some time for the family to fully adjust to the new circumstances. Older children, in particular, can sometimes be resistant to the changes that come with a newly...
It’s rough to watch your parents decline with age, and rougher still to realize that your roles have gradually become reversed. Instead of them guiding and protecting you, you now have to guide and protect them. This is particularly true when your parent has developed...