Contrary to what many believe, talking to your family about your estate plan is typically far better than keeping it all a secret. After all, in most cases, it will affect them as much as you. Here are some of the things you should consider discussing with your...
Addressing an aging parent’s estate plans can be challenging for everyone. People have had it drilled into their minds that it’s impolite to discuss money, politics and religion. While avoiding the latter two may still be wise, it’s never a good idea to avoid...
As you likely know, creating an estate plan is a crucial step in ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. However, as your life evolves, you may need to update or replace your existing estate plan components. Keeping your plan current is wise,...
As a minor child's parent, you need to think about their future when estate planning. In addition to leaving them an inheritance, you should choose a guardian to raise them to adulthood in case something happens to you and their other parent. Your child's guardian...
Is it time to update your estate plan? Many people change their estate plans every three to five years. After about five years, many people have new assets they want to add to their estate plans. However, an estate plan can be changed at any time. Some people alter...
You may have heard of wealthy people who decide not to leave an inheritance to their children. In some cases, they decide to give the money away, or they may choose to spend it themselves. It is sometimes shocking to outsiders to see beneficiaries being cut out of...
When a loved one asked you to be the personal representative (executor) of their estate, you likely felt good that they trusted you with this responsibility – particularly if there were others they could have chosen. However, the job can feel like a thankless one when...
Raising any child is a labor of love – but neither love nor labor ends when the child turns 18 years of age. This is especially true for parents whose children have significant developmental or physical disorders that are disabling. If your disabled child is...
When individuals have children or get diagnosed with serious medical issues, they may decide to put together estate planning paperwork. Wills give someone an opportunity to name a guardian to care for their children. They also address the distribution of someone's...
When creating an estate plan, you may have concerns about some of your beneficiaries. For instance, maybe you have a beneficiary who has significant issues with debt that they can’t afford. Or perhaps they just have frivolous spending habits, and you’re worried about...
