Many people dread the thought of approaching their estate planning. It’s an uncomfortable reminder that we are all limited by our own mortality, but there can be devastating consequences for putting this off until it’s too late and leaving your heirs with an administrative and financial mess. Those individuals who will receive your assets may […]

Anytime that a major life change happens, it’s a good opportunity to schedule a meeting with your current estate planning attorney. If you don’t have an estate plan yet, you may need to establish a relationship with someone now so that you can build the trust with this individual to keep your materials updated as […]

Do you have plans for what would happen to you if you were to become incapacitated? Many people are under the impression that long-term care is something that only older individuals need to consider. It is certainly true that a broad range of baby boomers and other elderly individuals have to think about their long-term […]

If you’ve come to terms with the fact that you need an estate plan and that you should hire an attorney to help you craft one, this is the first stage towards protecting your future and passing on your assets in a responsible and clear manner. Once you’ve made the decision, it’s tempting to hire […]

No one expects to pass away suddenly, and most people don’t expect to pass away at the same time as their spouse. However, this can happen, and it can create estate planning confusion and frustration. Estate plans tend not to take the possibility of two people who have left everything to one another passing away […]

There are certain situations in life in which you may want someone else to make decisions on your behalf. Without a legal document, your intentions for who should play this role may be impossible to achieve. Thankfully, however, there are documents you can draft with the help of your estate planning lawyer so that this […]

Most people approaching retirement age admit they have struggled with thinking ahead not just about life beyond their working years but also about how to make the money they’ve saved last during that time and to plan appropriately for it after they pass away. While a lot of information out there talks specifically about saving […]

Delving into the process of estate planning might feel overwhelming if you’re not sure what the various terms mean. Read on to get a glossary briefing about some of the most common terms you might hear during this process.  Guardian: A person who is appointed to care for another individual. Can be for disabled persons, […]

An estate plan usually begins with a will or a living trust. While a basic will is important for providing your instructions, it does not avoid probate. Any assets that are titled in your name or directed from your will have to go through the probate process before they can be distributed to your beneficiaries. […]

While your estate plan should certainly include careful strategies about how you want to pass on your assets after you pass away, it might also be worthwhile to use the annual gift tax allowance to transfer some of your property while you’re still alive. This can help a loved one who needs assistance now and […]