The family was baffled. Not only was the will out of date, but it was also unsigned and the person named as executor had died a decade before their mother died. Grandchildren born after the will was created were not mentioned and personal possessions left to some people in the will had been given away … Continue reading Ask Mom if She has a Will
Category: Inheritance
Why Do You Need an Estate Plan?
Everyone benefits from having an estate plan. If you own property, investments, or anything of value, you need an estate plan. If you have family or dependents, you need an estate plan. Estate planning directs how assets are directed, if you become incapacitated or when you die. The checklist for creating an estate plan includes … Continue reading Why Do You Need an Estate Plan?
Should I Have a Trust in My Estate Plan?
Kiplinger’s article entitled “Why Do I Need a Trust?” says that if having assets distributed outright to a beneficiary could cause potential issues, there are several reasons to think about creating a trust. If you prefer to place specific conditions on the funds, you should have a trust. Many trusts state that distributions can only take place at … Continue reading Should I Have a Trust in My Estate Plan?
Estate Planning Considerations for Minor Children
Creating an estate plan with minor children in mind has a host of variables quite different than one where all heirs are adults. If the intention is for the minor children to be beneficiaries, or if there is a remote chance a minor child might become an unintended beneficiary, different provisions will be needed. An … Continue reading Estate Planning Considerations for Minor Children
Why Is it Important to Have an Estate Plan?
By the time you reach your thirties, it’s likely you’ve accumulated some assets—maybe a home, a car, a savings account and some cryptocurrency. However, if you are like most millennials, even though you know you should have a will, you probably don’t. An article, “5 Reasons Estate Planning Is So Important” from The Baltic Times, reports a staggering … Continue reading Why Is it Important to Have an Estate Plan?
Can You Prevent Family Fights over Inheritance?
Inheritance battles can create new conflicts, inflame long-standing resentments and squander assets intended to make heir’s lives better. What can families do to prevent estate battles when a loved one’s intentions aren’t accepted is the question asked by the article, “Warning Signs Of Estate Disputes—And Ways to Avoid Them,” from mondaq.com. Here are the more common scenarios leading … Continue reading Can You Prevent Family Fights over Inheritance?
Should I Need a Trust in My Estate Plan?
Fed Week’s article entitled “Considerations for Including a Trust in Your Estate Plan” describes what a trust can offer. This includes the following: If your heirs are young, you can set up a trust to stay in effect until they are older and can handle their own finances. Another option is to keep the trust in effect … Continue reading Should I Need a Trust in My Estate Plan?
Exactly Why Do I Need a Will?
Some people mistakenly think not having a will allows their assets to bypass the time and expense of probate. That’s not true–if you die without a will, your property still must go through probate, says Fed Week’s recent article entitled “The Importance of Having a Will.” If probate avoidance is an issue, you can create a revocable trust … Continue reading Exactly Why Do I Need a Will?
The Basics of Estate Planning
No matter how BIG or small your net worth is, estate planning is a process that ensures your assets are handed down the way you want after you die. Work with an estate planning attorney to ensure your documents are in line with your intentions. Forbes’ article entitled “Estate Planning Basics” explains that everybody has an estate. … Continue reading The Basics of Estate Planning
How Do You Stop a Sibling from Stealing an Inheritance?
If the parent does not have a will, there may be questions about which sibling should inherit what. This gets complicated fast. State law can define siblings’ rights after parents’ deaths, explains an article from yahoo!, “Can a Sibling Take Your Inheritance?” An estate planning attorney can be a valuable resource, regardless of the size of the … Continue reading How Do You Stop a Sibling from Stealing an Inheritance?