Each of us will die eventually. This article looks at how planning can make your passing easier for those whom you leave behind. Specifically, this article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, will look at how you can disinherit someone with the least disruption to the family. Disinheritance … [Read more...] about Disinheritance
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Your Planning Can Help Your Loved Ones
Each of us will die eventually. This article looks at how planning can make your passing easier for your loved ones. Specifically, this article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, will look at the importance of the manner in which assets are left for your loved ones. Your Planning Can Help Your Loved Ones … [Read more...] about Your Planning Can Help Your Loved Ones
Planning for Step-Children
If your spouse has biological children, you may consider them your own. But, if you haven’t adopted them, they have no inheritance rights. This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, looks at how to plan for step-children. Planning for Step-Children … [Read more...] about Planning for Step-Children
What Does It Mean to Administer a Trust?
A well drafted and comprehensive estate plan will likely make use of numerous tools and strategies throughout the plan. One of the most common of those tools is a trust. In fact, you may decide that you need more than once trust in your estate plan given how flexible and beneficial a trust can be. If you do decide to incorporate at least one trust in your estate plan, choosing your Trustee will be among the most important decisions you make when you create your trust because the Trustee is … [Read more...] about What Does It Mean to Administer a Trust?
Tips for the First-Time Trustee
Trusts were once used almost exclusively by wealthy families as a way to guard and pass down the family wealth. Today, however, trusts are frequently included in the average person’s estate plan. One thing that all trusts have in common is the need to appoint a Trustee. If you were recently informed that someone appointed you to be the Trustee of a trust, you may be a bit intimidated at the prospect of fulfilling your duties as Trustee. To help get you started, we offer some tips for the … [Read more...] about Tips for the First-Time Trustee
How Does a Living Trust Help with Incapacity Planning?
For most people, the primary focus of an estate plan is the distribution of estate assets through lifetime gifting and/or after death. While that should remain a primary focus of your estate plan, you should also have an incapacity plan in place to ensure that you and your assets are protected in the event you suffer a period of incapacity. To get you started, we will explain how a living trust can help with incapacity planning. I’m Still Young – I Don’t Need to Worry about Incapacity This is … [Read more...] about How Does a Living Trust Help with Incapacity Planning?
How Can a Living Trust Help Me Protect My Non-Citizen Spouse?
If you are married, protecting your spouse financially in the event of your death or incapacity is no doubt a primary estate planning goal. If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen, protecting him/her becomes both more important and more difficult. In this blog, we explain how a living trust can help you protect your non-citizen spouse. The Changing Face of Marriage in America Just a generation or two ago it was relatively unusual for individuals from different backgrounds, much less different … [Read more...] about How Can a Living Trust Help Me Protect My Non-Citizen Spouse?
Caring For a Distant Elder Family Member
In today’s society, family members are often scattered throughout the country and even abroad. This phenomenon can cause much stress and worry when an elder family member who is not nearby now needs additional assistance in managing his or her affairs. The first step to long-distance caregiving is to understand your loved one's situation and needs. Schedule a visit with your relative or friend spanning several days to observe how they make decisions, solve problems and complete daily tasks, … [Read more...] about Caring For a Distant Elder Family Member
Some Items for Your College Age and Young Adult Family Members
This fall, many young adults will either head off to college or break out on their own. In addition to the typical list of items they may take to college, they should be prepared with the proper legal documents. What's that? You weren't aware that your now adult children need legal documents? Well, they absolutely do because in the eyes of the law (if not their parents), 18-year-olds are adults. Legally speaking, parents’ legal authority ends when their children turn 18. While your child … [Read more...] about Some Items for Your College Age and Young Adult Family Members
5 Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Estate Plan
As you go through life, you need to make sure that you have a valid and comprehensive estate plan in place. An estate plan will allow you to live your life with less stress, and can ensure that your affairs are in order, no matter what. Take a look at the 5 questions below to ask yourself about your estate plan. Do you have a will or trust in place? If you’re just beginning your planning, you may not have a will or trust. These are fundamental planning tools. You can appoint a … [Read more...] about 5 Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Estate Plan
