Estate Planning

Getting married is a significant step in anyone’s life. A couple that is looking to build a life together will often want to combine many, if not all, aspects of their lives, including their finances. However, when doing so, it is important to understand how to handle these issues, including what should be merged and what should be kept separate. By considering the steps to take and the assets and liabilities that will need to be accounted for, a couple can plan for the future while still ensuring that each […]

When a person creates a will, they provide instructions for how they want their property to be divided among their heirs, which may include their spouse, children, other family members or loved ones, or charitable organizations. However, if a person dies without having created and executed a will, their family may be unsure about how ownership of their property will be handled and what procedures will need to be followed. In these situations, it is important to understand how the laws of “intestate succession” will apply. Intestate Probate If a […]

You may not realize how many possessions and investments you have in your life – tangible and intangible – that may contribute to your need for planning on what to do with them after you are gone. It’s not just your home or your bank savings, it is collections, treasured heirlooms, antiques, art, photographs, and more. Do you know the value of these things? Do you need to find out?  What about expenses such as funeral costs? Can they be covered? Or is your life insurance policy sufficient to help […]

It is important for a person and family to plan for the future. By creating an estate plan, a person can not only make decisions about how ownership of their assets will be handled after their death, but they can also ensure that they and their loved ones will have the necessary financial resources and that other needs will be met throughout their lifetime. However, it is also important to follow the correct procedures during the estate planning process. There are a variety of mistakes that people commonly make that […]

There is much more to modern estate planning than deciding who gets your belongings when you are gone. In fact, there are two major parts of a comprehensive estate plan – testamentary planning, and what is called “incapacity planning.” Incapacity planning is extremely important, and no estate plan is complete without it. While a will allows you to make decisions about what happens to your property after you die, a living will allows you to make decisions about yourself in the event that you are still alive, but have become […]

Deciding who to leave your estate to can be a highly personal decision. For some people, the choice is easy and they want their immediate family members to take everything. Others, especially those without biological heirs, may consider charitable giving or other options for all or part of their estate property. Whoever you leave your assets to, it is important that you talk to them first and make sure that they are also on board with your plan. Especially if you own assets that require care and maintenance, such as […]

When you are going through a divorce, you probably have a lot on your plate. Whether your divorce is relatively simple and amicable or complex and high-conflict, many things are going to change. After your marital property is divided equitably, your estate plan is likely to look much different. Assets that were jointly owned may now be only in your name, or only in your ex-spouse’s name. You will probably need to make some changes to your will, trust, or life insurance documents if your former spouse was named as […]

Many people believe that if you are single and do not have any children, you do not need an estate plan. This could not be farther from the truth. Even without children or a spouse, there are probably still people in your life that you want to look out for, or maybe even a favorite charity you would like your estate to benefit. Estate planning also includes enabling your loved ones to help you in the event that you get sick or hurt and cannot make decisions for yourself through […]