Probate litigation can be triggered by a variety of family circumstances. Two fundamental reasons still remain; disagreements over how to handle a mentally incapacitated relative or disagreements over how the estate should be divided after death. A dysfunctional family, a…
Even though probate sounds expensive and complex, it is a legal procedure that formalizes how assets pass from descendants to chosen heirs or beneficiaries. According to your state laws, probate may be necessary depending on the type of property you…
Generally speaking, most of us are familiar with trusts, in terms of individuals who are beneficiaries of trust funds. There is a misconception that trusts are just for the wealthy, but you can include them in estate planning for anyone…
It is important to think through certain factors before naming someone as your estate's representative (executor) or accepting the responsibility of being the executor. Consider the complexity of the duties and in which order to pursue them. The following responsibilities…
More and more seniors are experiencing widowhood and divorce, which prompts new partnerships. According to the US Census Bureau, more than half of all older adults have only married once, choosing to remain single in their future relationships. The act…
Minor and adult children may have different opinions about family circumstances, especially when it comes to inheriting the estate. It is normal for relationships to change and intensify when someone you love dies, as underlying issues can come to the…
There is a high likelihood that you have a beneficiary and beneficiaries are common designations in retirement accounts, wills, and trusts. Beneficiaries are individuals (or legal entities) who will receive proceeds from financial products and vehicles after their deceased owners…
A limited liability company (LLC) sits between a partnership and a corporation. In addition to accounting benefits, an LLC is also a powerful estate planning tool for the same reasons. As part of estate planning, a Family LLC makes it…
Human history has never seen a financial time like this. The Boomer generation is preparing to transfer their wealth through estate planning, placing America on the cusp of the largest wealth transfer in history. 68.4 trillion dollars are expected to…
It shouldn't be necessary for grieving loved ones to inherit assets, only to discover they cannot access them for cash expenditures they will be responsible for after you pass. The majority of retirees' assets are in home ownership and retirement…