Tag: will
Take Care of Your Loved Ones with Proper Estate Planning
Posted on February 14, 2023
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, […]
At What Age Do You Need a Will?
Posted on February 7, 2023
No one likes to think about death, especially when you are young. However, it is important to make sure that your wishes for your estate will be honored if something happens to you at any age. Many people assume that only very wealthy individuals or those in their 60s or 70s need to create a will. However, there is no fixed age at which everyone needs a will. Whether you are single, childless, own little property, or are married with kids, proper estate planning is crucial. Why You Should Create […]
Contested Probate and How It May Affect You
Posted on January 31, 2023
Contested probate refers to a legal dispute involving a deceased person’s will. When someone passes away, their surviving family members or other heirs may challenge the validity of their will in court. The dispute may involve allegations of forgery, lack of testamentary capacity, fraud, undue influence, or other issues. Individuals may also contest the will because they disagree about who should benefit from the deceased person’s estate and how assets should be divided. Common Reasons that Surviving Loved Ones Contest a Will Wills are used to describe how assets should […]
Essential Questions Regarding Safety Deposit Boxes and a Loved One’s Death
Posted on January 26, 2023
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 […]
What You Need to Know About Joint Trusts
Posted on January 17, 2023
There are seemingly countless estate planning instruments to choose from when creating your estate plans, and each has its own unique advantages. Trusts offer many benefits when compared to transferring assets through a will. Unlike property transferred through a will, assets transferred through a trust usually avoid probate. Furthermore, the trust maker, or grantor, enjoys greater control over how and when trust assets are distributed to heirs. There are many different types of trusts to consider when building your estate plans. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics […]
Know When to Revise Your Will & Estate Plan
Posted on December 13, 2022
Writing a will is not a one-time event. Life is full of changes, and it is very likely that you will need to modify your will to account for these changes. It is recommended to review your will every five years to make sure it still reflects your wishes. Anything from changes in your family to changes in state law can influence your will and other estate planning documents. Reviewing and updating estate plans tends to be one of those tasks that gets put at the bottom of the priority […]
Does Your Estate Plan Have All The Needed Pieces?
Posted on December 6, 2022
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 […]
Get Your Charitable Giving Done Before The New Year
Posted on December 1, 2022
There are so many worthwhile charitable causes you can contribute to that help people, animals, and the environment in many needed ways. Helping others is part of being human – it makes the world a better place for all of us. There are also tax advantages associated with charitable giving that can help you financially. So, it is truly a win-win situation. There is still time to get your charitable giving before the end of the year so it qualifies on your upcoming tax return. Read on to learn about […]
Talk About Death Openly To Make Things Easier For Your Loved Ones
Posted on November 29, 2022
Many people shy away from discussing death openly, but it is something that should be talked about as a part of life. Talking about your eventual passing ensures that everyone who cares about you knows how to best deal with things once you do pass away. Death can happen to anyone at any time, so it is important to have some ideas regarding funeral and burial services and what you want to be done for your children, pets, and important assets. When loved ones understand your wishes, they do not […]
Plan How To Best Distribute Items To Family And Friends
Posted on November 8, 2022
One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is detailed information about how to distribute your property upon your death. It can be a daunting task for surviving loved ones to take care of things once you have passed away. The more information you can provide in advance, the better. You may wish to leave some decisions to their discretion but leave detailed directions for certain items. The specifics are up to you, but getting a blueprint from you will help your loved ones get through the process […]