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?
Category: Will
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?
What Happens If My Partner Dies and We’re Not Married?
Traditional or non-traditional couples have the option of marrying, but not all couples wish to, according to an article from Kiplinger, “Marriage: When You’d Rather Not.” Planning for a life together without the legal protections provided by marriage means couples of all kinds who decide not to marry must be sure to do estate planning. Otherwise, they … Continue reading What Happens If My Partner Dies and We’re Not Married?
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?
Do You Need a Power of Attorney?
Did you know estate planning attorneys recommend anyone over age 18 have a power of attorney? Without one, even a long-married spouse may not be able to make financial or medical decisions if their spouse became incapacitated, according to an article “How to Set Up a Power of Attorney” from U.S. News & World Report. Naming someone … Continue reading Do You Need a Power of Attorney?
The Most Important Part of Estate Plan Is Planning for Living
Most people think of estate planning as planning for death. However, a well-titled article “Planning for death probably isn’t the most important part of your estate plan” from Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls Press presents another reason for estate planning in clear terms. Estate planning is planning for the unexpected eventualities of life. Estate planning documents address how things will work … Continue reading The Most Important Part of Estate Plan Is Planning for Living
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?
Problems Created When No Will Is Available
Ask any estate planning attorney how much material they have for a book, or a movie based on the drama they see from family squabbles when someone dies without a will. There’s plenty—but a legal requirement of confidentiality and professionalism keeps those stories from circulating as widely as they might. This may be why more … Continue reading Problems Created When No Will Is Available
Ask Mom if She has a Will
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