A will is an essential part of any estate plan. With this document, you can detail how your assets are distributed upon your death. You can also nominate legal guardians for your children and much more. As with any legal instrument, a will must hold under legal...
Estate Planning
Why do people put off writing their will?
Many people put off writing their will because it’s often believed to only be useful later in life. This misconception has caused trouble for many heirs when their loved ones suddenly face health complications at a young age or are in fatal accidents. But, more...
Can you put digital collections in your will?
More and more often, people have digital forms of media. They may have invested a significant amount of money in a collection, and it may also have sentimental value to the heirs from times spent enjoying this media together. For instance, your grandparents may have...
What is the cy pres doctrine in estate planning?
If a loved one left a will they wrote themselves or maybe with the help of an online “do-it-yourself” will-maker, there could be some issues – even if they had it witnessed and notarized so that it’s a valid document. It’s not uncommon for people to include...
Update your estate plan after these life events
An estate plan is a great thing to have in place, but you do need to remember to make updates occasionally. Life changes and you don't want to have an estate plan that is 20 years out of date. It is possible to simply make these updates on a set schedule. Maybe you...
What debts will your estate need to repay after you die?
It can be fun, if a little sad, to think about leaving your most treasured possessions to your family members when you die. You may know that your grandchild will love an item they long coveted at your home or that your daughter will move into your home happily. Many...
Losing a loved one can be a reminder to update your estate plan
Losing a loved one is never easy. Even if you knew that the end was near because they had fought a long-lasting terminal illness, grief is an overwhelming experience. If their death was sudden, perhaps because of the car crash or a heart attack, you may have left...
What are the benefits of estate planning?
People often put off estate planning due to negative connotations over the subject. Planning for what happens if you become incapacitated or die may be seen as a morbid topic. Is this really the case? The reality is that having a sound estate plan in place can bring...
How do I speed up the probate process?
Dealing with the death of a loved one can be quite difficult. During the grieving period, the last thing on everyone’s mind is usually settling the deceased’s estate. However, this is inevitable. At some point, you will have to talk about the deceased’s estate and...
How can money from a special needs trust be used?
Special needs trusts are often used by parents who want to provide for their disabled adult children long after they are gone -- but they don’t want the assets they leave behind to interfere with their child’s access to public benefits, like Supplemental Security...