The world is an unusual place. Things you’d never expect to happen sometimes actually do happen. There are natural disasters and unusual phenomenon. It’s important to prepare, not just for the unexpected but the eventual, as well. Read on to learn more. My friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, shares his thoughts. … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Unexpected…and the Eventual
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The New Trustee’s Trust Administration Checklist
Not all that long ago, trusts were used almost exclusively by wealthy families as a tool to pass down the family wealth while maintaining a certain degree of control over how that wealth is used by future generations. Trust have evolved, however, to the point where it is now common to find a trust in even a relatively simple estate plan. When a trust is created, the trust creator must appoint a Trustee to administer the trust. If you recently learned that you were appointed to be the Trustee of … [Read more...] about The New Trustee’s Trust Administration Checklist
Joint Tenancy Problems in Estate Planning
Sometimes people use Joint Tenancy as an easy, simple way to do Estate Planning. However, this can have serious, unexpected drawbacks. Read on to learn more. My friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, discusses these drawbacks. … [Read more...] about Joint Tenancy Problems in Estate Planning
Executor Checklist
The loss of a loved one is generally followed by an emotional time where you do not want to think about the practical ramifications of your loss. If you were named by the decedent as the Executor of the estate, however, you will need to reign in your emotions and focus on the legalities involved in the probate of the estate. If you have never served as an Executor, you are likely feeling overwhelmed at the job in front of you. It is always wise to retain the services of an experienced probate … [Read more...] about Executor Checklist
Starting the New Year Right
As we enter 2021 and hopefully leave the current pandemic behind, it’s still a good time to start off right. If you don’t already have an estate plan, now’s a great time to make an appointment with an estate planning attorney to get one. Read on to learn more. My friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert shares important news. … [Read more...] about Starting the New Year Right
Changes to Make Following the Death of a Spouse
The loss of a spouse is one of the most emotional experiences you will probably have to go through over the course of your life. The last thing you may wish to think about while you are grieving the loss of a spouse is something as seemingly mundane as updating your estate plan. Failing to do so, however, could lead to some unintended and unwanted consequences. Let's explore some common changes that you may wish to your estate plan following the death of a spouse. Last Will and Testament – … [Read more...] about Changes to Make Following the Death of a Spouse
How You Can Benefit from a Family Wealth Trust
If you are contemplating the addition of a trust to your plan, you will need to decide which type of trust best suites your needs. You may have heard of a Family Wealth Trust and thought it is not the right trust for your plan because you are not wealthy. If so, think again because a Family Wealth Trust is not just for the wealthy. Let's see how you can benefit from a Family Wealth Trust. Why Might You Need a Trust? Initially, a Last Will and Testament may be all you need to ensure that … [Read more...] about How You Can Benefit from a Family Wealth Trust
Why Would I Need an Elder Law Attorney?
It is not uncommon for the average person to fail to recognize when an elder law attorney is needed, due in part to the fact that elder law is a relatively new area of the law. In fact, most people do not know what elder law attorneys actually do, much less how to recognize when they need one. To help prevent you from making that mistake, let's explore when you might need an elder law attorney. What Is Elder Law? As the older population in the United States steadily increased, the need for … [Read more...] about Why Would I Need an Elder Law Attorney?
Estate Planning Attorneys Can Help with More Than Just Creating Your Will
Like most people, you are probably aware of the need to have an estate plan in place that dictates how your estate assets are to be distributed in the event of your death. Hopefully, you also recognize the need to have an experienced estate planning attorney assist you in the creation of that plan. That may not be the only time you need an estate planning attorney though. Let's look at five additional reasons why you might need an estate planning attorney. Petitioning for Guardianship At … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Attorneys Can Help with More Than Just Creating Your Will
Top 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Trustee
Like many people, you may find yourself including a living trust in your estate plan. If so, you will need to make several decisions during the creation of that trust. Among the most important of those decisions will be deciding who to appoint as the Trustee of your trust. Here are 10 questions to ask when choosing a Trustee for your living trust. What Is a Living Trust? A trust is a legal relationship wherein property is held by one party for the benefit of another. A trust is created by … [Read more...] about Top 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Trustee
