You have probably heard from friends or relatives who’ve gone through it. Probate is a time-consuming, expensive, and very public process. Not to mention it can sometimes be unpleasant. Anyone, especially your children’s ex-spouses and creditors, can see many private things about you, such as personal information, your finances, including your debts, the value of...
Death is an inevitable part of life, and while we can’t control when it happens, we can certainly take steps to control what happens to our assets after we’re gone. One of the financial considerations is estate taxes. Sometimes known as inheritance taxes or death taxes, estate taxes are levied on the estate of a...
Vacation homes can mean many different things: the center of cherished family memories; a reliable vacation spot; an investment for now and in the future. Passing your beloved vacation property to future generations takes careful planning. Not surprising, there is no one-size-fits-all planning option to ensure that this treasured real estate is protected from challenges...
You have been very fortunate in your life – worked hard, saved your money and own your home. Throughout the years, you have been able to rely on a wonderful loved one. They check in on you often, help with your shopping and doctor’s appointments. In recognition of this important relationship, you decide to leave...
We all know that a Last Will and Testament (Will) is an important thing to have. We want to make it easier for our families after we have died. But just having a Will often causes more problems than it solves. The problem is that it may not be enough; it could be putting your...
As we wrap up estate plan document signings, there is often a sigh of relief from clients who say, “I’m so glad that is taken care of!” But before you check off your to-do list, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that your estate plan is ready for future action. 1....
When working with your estate planning attorney, you want to make sure you’re putting the right people in the right positions. Therefore, it’s important to understand the common terms for the players in your estate plan. Who does what in Estate Planning? Fiduciary: All persons or financial institutions (i.e. a bank or company) who act...
There are many things in life we need to do but often struggle to complete. It’s not that these things aren’t important – life just gets in the way sometimes. One of the important tasks that we tend to put off is completing our estate plan. Reasons for procrastinating There are many reasons people delay...
With new year fast approaching, now is a good time to review your estate plan to make sure it still reflects your values and wishes. The following are important items to reflect on as you create your year-end to-do list. Estate planning checklist Make sure the funding of your revocable trust is complete. This re-titling...
The loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult things to go through in life. After the grief subsides, deciding if the person’s estate must be probated is confusing, time consuming and expensive. Avoiding probate will move the estate distribution much faster to the heirs, so many often wonder if probate is...
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