Having an estate planning attorney manage the probate process can alleviate a great deal of stress for the family, says the article “Reasons to hire a lawyer for probate” from The Mercury. For one thing, the attorney will know what your state requires in the way of executing the will. You may need to pay a state inheritance … Continue reading Do I Need an Attorney for Probate?
Category: Executor
What Is a Pour-Over Will?
A pour-over will is a particular kind of will created to work with a trust, with a goal of facilitating the transfer of assets if the person creating the trust (the grantor) has not transferred all of their assets into the trust. This happens more often than you’d think. How do you know if you … Continue reading What Is a Pour-Over Will?
The Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes
Estate administration is the process of managing the estate when a loved one has passed. For the inexperienced executor, there are pitfalls to be avoided, warns the article “Top 5 Probate and Estate Administration Mistakes” from Long Island Press. The biggest mistake is creating an estate plan from generic documents on the internet. Wills must meet many technical … Continue reading The Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes
Does a Will Protect My Money and My Family?
If you die without a valid will, your state may keep more of your assets than if you have a will. Your family won’t have any control and the court will follow the laws of your state regarding how your assets are distributed. That’s probably not what you want to happen, according to the article “People … Continue reading Does a Will Protect My Money and My Family?
What Is Better, a Trust or a Will?
Estate plans come in all sizes and shapes. One of the decisions in creating an estate plan is whether a trust should be part of your plan, as detailed in this article titled “Trust vs. Will: What They Share (And 6 Ways They are Different)” from Yahoo! Money. Both trusts and wills give control over how assets are distributed. … Continue reading What Is Better, a Trust or a Will?
Should I Update My Estate Plan?
An estate plan exists to accomplish three things. Real Daily’s article entitled “4 Good Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan” says that as you age, you should consider updating your estate plan. Why? Well, your feelings may change over time or you may experience a significant life event that requires you to update things. These are events … Continue reading Should I Update My Estate Plan?
Yes, You Need a Will. Now.
Less than half of Americans have a will, or have any idea of how they would like to have their money and property handled at the time of their passing, according to an article titled “How to make a will and why you need one while you’re still alive” from Today. Why do you need a will? A … Continue reading Yes, You Need a Will. Now.
How Can I Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer?
Only about a third of Americans have an estate plan, according to the article “Choosing an estate planning lawyer” from Senior Matters. The number of people with wills is decreasing, rather than increasing, despite the events of recent years. Estate planning is worth doing, for the peace of mind, the personal and financial protection it provides, not to … Continue reading How Can I Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer?
Why You Need an Estate Plan
Did you think you had to be rich to have an estate? Think again! From a legal perspective, your estate includes everything you own, from tangible property like a car, house, furniture, as well as intangible assets like insurance policies, bank accounts, retirement and investment accounts. You don’t have to be rich to have an … Continue reading Why You Need an Estate Plan
Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?
Yahoo News’ article entitled “Don’t fail to be ready for the day you’re dead” says that you need four key legal documents to take care of those who care for you. An experienced estate planning attorney will make sure it’s all done correctly. You want a will that will last through the years without needing constant revision. … Continue reading Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?