In a will, you can stipulate who receives your assets and properties after you die, and the will is legally binding when properly filled out. Your will names a personal representative (executor) who will carry out your directives. In addition…
You can minimize or avoid probate entirely by working with an estate planning attorney. Probate proceedings are part of the public record and can be very time-consuming and expensive. However, in nearly every case, some probate is necessary, so it…
Everyone who wants to protect themselves and their families needs an estate plan. Making sound decisions regarding finances and healthcare can become challenging as you age due to diminished mental capacity or declining health. Putting these five must-have legal documents in…
In estate planning, you probably have questions about how your assets should be distributed and who should handle this task, no matter where you are in the process or just starting to consider your options. A trust can be a…
Having a close relative die is one of life's most emotionally draining experiences. In addition to the emotional aspect of loss, there is the stress of handling the deceased person’s estate and affairs. This part can be especially overwhelming. The process…
Considering your future finances and health care needs, you may wonder what estate planning and elder law entail. Estate planning and elder law also have some similarities. Even though these two types of law are for different stages in life, they…
Probate is the legal process that recognizes a will and appoints an executor to administer an estate and distribute it to the intended beneficiaries, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). Navigating the probate process will vary according to state law.…
When you can no longer make health care decisions due to serious illness or injury, what would happen? You don’t have to be old to become incapacitated. A living will, a component of an advance health care directive, can outline your…
Sibling rivalry. Families are prone to old rivalries from the past becoming more evident after the death of a parent. Adult children who are emotionally upset and in the unfamiliar territory of an inheritance process can invent new problems or magnify…
Most Americans believe estate planning is a one-time chore that can be filed away after it is completed. However, without being aware of the potential impact, people will make gifts during their lifetime or change listed beneficiaries on accounts which can…