Estate Planning

Estate planning is important for individuals of all ages, races, income levels, and backgrounds. With a proper estate plan, you can ensure that your assets are distributed to beneficiaries in the way you want them to be. You can also use estate planning instruments to reduce estate taxes, avoid probate, donate to charitable causes, plan for incapacitation, set up financial support for a disabled loved one, and much more. Unfortunately, many people make costly mistakes when creating their estate plans. Here are some of the most common estate planning mistakes […]

A last will and testament is generally considered to be the most fundamental element of an estate plan. With a will, you are given the chance to dictate how your worldly possessions are distributed to beneficiaries upon your death. Wills are also used to designate a guardian for minor children to take care of the children if the parents pass away. Unfortunately, there are many misunderstandings and misconceptions about how wills work. One question many people ask is, “Does my will have to go through probate?” Probate is a legal […]

Whether it is family, friends, pets, or other loved ones, we all have people in our lives that we want to take care of. Proper estate planning is one of the best ways to do this. Estate planning not only allows you to ensure that your wishes are followed after your death, it also saves your loved ones a significant burden upon your passing. Benefits of Estate Planning Go Beyond the Financial Estate planning is often used to reduce taxes and other costs associated with transferring assets after death. However, […]

Safety deposit boxes are used to store important items such as jewelry, legal documents, family heirlooms, and more. Items stored in a safety deposit box often have significant financial and sentimental value.  When a person passes away, there may be many questions regarding safety deposit boxes. What happens to a safety deposit box if it is not listed in the decedent’s will? Who receives the items in the safety deposit box? What if a recently deceased relative has a safety deposit box that no one knows about? Is there a […]

According to a recent poll, only 46 percent of adults in the United States have a will. Even fewer have comprehensive estate plans. A last will and testament is the fundamental estate planning instrument. Through a will, you can specify who will receive your assets, personal possessions, and real estate after you pass away. You can also name a guardian for your minor children in the event that you and the other parent pass away before the children are adults. Without a valid will, state law determines how your property […]