Agreeing to serve as the executor of an estate is like taking on another part-time job in addition to whatever work you do and your responsibilities for your family. The testator whose estate you handle will likely have made arrangements to compensate you with some...
Creating a will is an important part of getting your estate plan together. While you might assume that you can include anything you want in the will, there are some that shouldn’t ever be part of a will. Making sure that you have everything in order when you’re...
Someone’s will can provoke a number of disputes between their heirs, especially when there are allegations that the testator (the person who wrote the will) either lacked the appropriate testamentary capacity to make the will valid or was subject to undue influence...
As you plan for your golden years, you probably envision yourself living independently, traveling or spending a lot of time with your favorite family members. While an optimistic outlook in life is beneficial, it may not be very helpful for you during estate planning....
When an elderly person in your family begins to need support, it’s vital for you and your family members to step in to protect them. One of the risks as they age is that they could be exposed to those who would abuse them or take advantage of them. Fortunately, you...
Many individuals often use the terms heir and beneficiary interchangeably. They don't mean the same thing, though. It’s important to understand the difference between the two terms as you begin your estate planning. An heir is someone related to a deceased person. An...
A comprehensive estate plan that doesn't just talk about what happens if you die. It also has instructions for medical care in case you become incapacitated. You can authorize someone to handle your finances with a power of attorney and also leave behind instructions...
When someone dies, there may be concerns about how their heirs will get on without them. Individuals who have a minor heir may want to ensure that the assets that their beneficiaries have will be adequate to support that minor child. A testamentary trust provides...
When you’re working on your estate plan, one of the questions you may have is how many people you should set up as your power of attorneys. You will need an agent with health care power of attorney and another with fiduciary power of attorney. You may want a general...
Asset protection is an integral part of estate planning. It keeps your property out of the reach of a would-be lawsuit. Potential lawsuits can range from a case of negligence in an automobile accident to a foreclosure lawsuit filed after you stop making the mortgage...
