We all hope never to be in this situation, yet it will likely happen to you at some point in your lifetime. You receive a telephone call telling you that a close family member has died. What do you do? There is no way to avoid the emotional reaction that follows the death of a close family member; however, there are also a number of practical and legal things that must take place after a death as well. While each situation is unique, there are some common steps that should follow in most … [Read more...] about What To Do Immediately After the Death of A Family Member
Funeral Planning
Writing Your Letter of Instruction – 3 Tips
Sometimes we can get so caught up in the larger questions surrounding estate planning that we can miss many of the important details that will provide practical assistance to our families after we die. One of the best ways to provide certain types of information is not through a will, trust, or power of attorney, but rather through a letter of instruction. These letters allow you to provide your family and estate executor with relevant, pertinent, and useful information immediately after your … [Read more...] about Writing Your Letter of Instruction – 3 Tips
Helping Your Parents with Their Estate Planning
As your parents continue to age, their estate plan needs to be updated. If you’re unsure whether your parents have done their estate planning, including long term care planning, it’s okay to chat with them. While this can be difficult to do, these are important conversations to have. Take a look at the following information, for advice on what topics to discuss. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to assist your parents with their estate planning, contact an experienced and … [Read more...] about Helping Your Parents with Their Estate Planning
How to Create a Funeral Plan
Although it is something most of us prefer not to spend much time thinking about, you should take some time to create a funeral plan. Don’t rely on family members and loved ones to know what your wishes are with regard to your funeral. By creating a written plan, you spare loved ones additional grief and prevent any potential conflict regarding your wishes. Your funeral plan should be separate from your will as your will may not be read for days after your death. Once written down, be sure … [Read more...] about How to Create a Funeral Plan
Where You Should Leave Your Burial Instructions or Final Arrangements
Contrary to popular belief, you should not include your burial instructions or other final arrangements in your Will. Instead, leave your burial instructions or other instructions regarding your final arrangements in a separate instrument. The reason for this is timing. Most likely, your heirs or executor may not find your will immediately, and by the time someone locates it, it may be too late. You need to make sure you give your funeral instructions to someone who can locate it … [Read more...] about Where You Should Leave Your Burial Instructions or Final Arrangements
Why You Need to Plan for the Cost of Dying
Protecting your loved ones is likely an important reason why you created an estate plan. For your estate plan to fully protect you and your loved ones, however, you may need to incorporate funeral planning into the plan. While it may not be easy to consider, the reality is that protecting your loved ones often calls for you to consider your own death. To help you understand, let's look why you need to plan for the cost of dying. Death Is Expensive Thinking of your death and funeral in … [Read more...] about Why You Need to Plan for the Cost of Dying
Funeral Arrangements Can Make or Break Family Relationships
Until you’re in the heat of the moment in your own family or witness discord in someone else’s family, the thought of funeral arrangements making or breaking family relationships may sound downright silly. But, it’s not. In actuality, funeral arrangement disagreements (and the distribution of sentimental personal property) can and does cause too many family fights. Both can be avoided by planning ahead and communicating that plan to loved ones. Be sure to think about, plan, and let your … [Read more...] about Funeral Arrangements Can Make or Break Family Relationships
CONGRESS PASSES THE SECURE ACT: HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU?
The most significant action of Congress in 2019 relating to retirement and estate planning was the late December passage of the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019”, commonly known as the “Secure Act”. It was signed into law shortly thereafter and is effective January 1, 2020, for most purposes. In this and future newsletters, we will look into the provisions of the Secure Act and also some strategies to maximize benefits and minimize problems created by this … [Read more...] about CONGRESS PASSES THE SECURE ACT: HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU?
Should You Include Funeral Planning in Your Estate Plan?
Your estate plan has the potential to protect you while you are alive and after you are gone. That same plan can also protect loved ones both now and after you are gone. To do that, however, you may need to spend some time contemplating a subject matter that won’t be particularly comfortable –your own funeral and burial. Although it isn’t something people want to dwell on, the reality is that funeral and burial planning are among the top elder law issues. The Dollars and Cents of Death It may … [Read more...] about Should You Include Funeral Planning in Your Estate Plan?
Making Your Own Funeral Arrangements
You can relieve a great burden from your loved ones’ shoulders by making your own funeral arrangements or by jotting down your wishes and chatting with your family. Make sure to notify your loved ones of your written instructions and keep them in a place where they will be able to be located shortly after your passing. We provide our clients with a large three ring binder that contains copies of all their estate planning documents, last wishes and other important information. Taking these few … [Read more...] about Making Your Own Funeral Arrangements
