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: Probate Court
What Is a TOD Beneficiary?
It’s possible to name a TOD beneficiary for many account types—retirement accounts, savings accounts and even brokerage accounts. This can help you and your heirs avoid the sometimes costly process of probate. You can name anyone. However, if you’re married, your spouse may have special rights over your assets that take precedence over your named … Continue reading What Is a TOD Beneficiary?
Are Testamentary Trusts a Good Idea?
Not everyone wants to leave everything to their heirs without restrictions. Some want to protect money inherited from their own parents for their children or want to keep an irresponsible child from squandering an inheritance. For people who want more control over their assets, a testamentary trust might be useful, according to the article “What Is … Continue reading Are Testamentary Trusts a Good Idea?
What If Your Spouse Refuses Estate Planning?
Blended families are quite common in the U.S. A married couple may have a small child—but one spouse may also have children from a first marriage. The spouse may be concerned about assets and protecting those older children in estate planning. A spouse on a second or third marriage may insist on a prenup with … Continue reading What If Your Spouse Refuses Estate Planning?
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?
Intestacy is Possibly the Worst Mistake for Families of Modest Means
Thinking About Not Writing a Will Because You Believe You Don’t Have Enough Resources? Think Again. Writing a Will is something most of us know we eventually have to do, but none of us really want to start. Some people believe it is too complicated. Other people don’t want to think about death. Some folks believe that the law … Continue reading Intestacy is Possibly the Worst Mistake for Families of Modest Means
What is a Life Estate?
A life estate is a type of property ownership that divides the control and ownership of a property. The person who creates the life estate for their home and assets is known as the “life tenant.” While a tenant retains control of the property, he or she shares ownership during their lifetime with the remainderman … Continue reading What is a Life Estate?
The Benefits of a Good Estate Plan
If you don’t have a comprehensive estate plan, state law will control. That’s unlikely to that the state will do what you would choose to do. MSN’s article entitled “What is estate planning?” discusses the benefits of estate planning. Minimizes taxes. Clever structuring of flexible retirement accounts, such as a Roth IRA, can help funnel more tax-free money to … Continue reading The Benefits of a Good Estate Plan
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?