Estate Planning

If you are not sure whether you need powers of attorney, you probably do. Powers of attorney are a way that you can take control of your medical care in the event that you cannot make decisions for yourself. The pandemic has served as a reminder to many that life is unpredictable and we never know what is going to happen. Unexpected accidents or illnesses can take families by surprise. Powers of attorney allow you to plan for this possibility. Using these legal tools, you can appoint someone you trust […]

  Trusts are often not well understood. A lot of people think that you need to be very wealthy to benefit from a trust, but this is not the case. In fact, most people could benefit from using a trust as part of their estate plan. There are many different types of trusts that each serve a unique purpose. While trusts are often used as a will alternative, others can be used to benefit you during your lifetime. The good thing about trusts is that they are very flexible, so […]

Tax law can change rapidly depending on the economic and political climate. Whether you are a business owner, have high-value property, or are creating an estate plan, it is important to stay up to date on how evolving tax laws will affect you. Navigating tax law can be complicated – especially when there are major changes taking place. Having a good understanding of the upcoming changes to the tax code can help you employ the right strategies to minimize your tax burden while staying compliant.  What Upcoming Tax Law Changes […]

Losing a loved one is difficult no matter what. When you are grieving, perhaps the last thing you want to deal with is the whole legal process of handling your family member’s estate. If there is a valid will, you would file it with the probate court to start the probate process. However, not everyone has a will in place. Maybe your relative never made a will in the first place, or he tried to make a will but you find out after his death that the will is invalid. […]

There are many reasons a loved one might need a guardianship. Guardianships allow you to manage the affairs of someone who is not able to do so for themselves. Most guardianships are created for people who are elderly and have age-related impairments or for special needs adults. Some aging adults may fear being the subject of a guardianship, or “ward,” because they are afraid of losing control. However, wards may find that having a guardian to handle all their finances or day-to-day needs is convenient and protects their safety. If […]

Few things in life are as difficult as experiencing the death of a loved one. The period of grief surrounding a family member’s passing is emotionally difficult, and it has the potential to be legally and financially difficult as well. There are a few common legal problems that arise in the aftermath of a death in the family – most of which can be avoided with proper estate planning. Some of these legal problems, like family disputes, are impossible to completely prevent. But other problems, like discovering that the wrong […]

One of the most important goals in estate planning is to make sure that your wishes will be known and carried out after you pass away. It is an invaluable resource for making sure that you have legally documented who should receive what, so there are fewer arguments and legal issues. Having a well-written, detailed, and up-to-date estate plan can prevent future conflict as well as give you the maximum amount of control over where you want your money and possessions to go.  Too often, people think verbal agreements or […]

Many older people have wills and plans that were created when they were younger, or before they had additional family members, such as grandchildren. Their circumstances and families have most likely changed since the documents were drawn up, as well as there being changes in the laws. Talking to your parents about their estate plan can be uncomfortable. However, planning for how their estate should be handled in the event of their death or incapacitation is an important conversation to have. Having an organized and current will or estate plan […]

The prospect of losing a spouse is a frightening and saddening one. No one likes to think about what would happen to their family were their spouse to die, but it is wise for a family to consider the possibility during estate planning. It is essential to know how you would keep going after the death of a spouse – especially for families with young children. An estate planning attorney can work closely with your family to build a plan to protect you and your children’s financial well-being in this […]

Most married couples share at least one financial or investment account. You may be wondering: What happens to shared accounts when one spouse passes away? Is there anything we can do legally so we know what will happen to one spouse’s interest in those accounts when the other passes away? An estate planning attorney will be able to help. Making arrangements regarding joint accounts is a part of the estate planning process, and it is something every married couple should plan for.  What Happens to Jointly Owned Finances When One […]