Estate planning has a reputation of being difficult and arduous. In a way, this is true. There are some inherently difficult topics to wrestle with when you are discussing an estate plan. But at the end of the day, estate planning is really just the last word of the...
There are so many people all across the country that either don't have a will (or an estate plan) or have an incomplete or insufficient will (or estate plan). That is an unfortunate fact, and it should motivate you to get a will (or complete one), depending on your...
While working on your will, you probably spent time considering who was best suited to settle your estate. You asked the close friend or family member if he or she would act as an executor of your estate. But did you discuss executor fees?This issue received some...
When you pass away, your assets, property and everything that composes your estate needs to be dealt with. These things will be distributed to various parties. If you have it your way (by way of a will and trusts) then the probate process can be avoided or largely...
Many people know about wills, and their incredible importance to their estate plan. But you would be remiss if you thought that living wills were the same as a will. One of the differences is in the name: a will takes effect upon death, whereas a living will dictates...
Say you're a 30-year-old professional. Should you have an estate plan? Say you're a 45-year-old who has been working for a long time and has accumulated quite a few assets. Should you have an estate plan? Say you're 60 or 65, and you know that you only have about 15...
As we have written about time and again, estate plans are incredibly important. They are also very complicated, with a lot of moving parts and terms that many people don't know or understand. Because of this, putting together an estate plan is an intimidating task...
Imagine if you are a beneficiary or heir to one of your parents' estate. When the unfortunate time comes and they pass away, you are eventually sat down by an attorney that works on behalf of your deceased parent. That attorney informs you that your parent didn't have...
We have talked about trusts quite a bit in the past, and one of the more common (and important) types of trusts is called the "living trust." A trust is an arrangement between the grantor, a trustee and a beneficiary. The grantor gives wealth, assets and/or property...
In less than 12 hours, we will turn our calendars to to January 2016. We will all celebrate a new year, and we will marvel in all of the possibilities that such a new year can bring. Promises will be made and resolutions will be kept (or broken). And in this regard,...
