It is common knowledge that estate planning is important for older adults, but almost half of them lack a will or power of attorney, and even fewer have a living will or health care directive. These documents help guide your…
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…
The number of Americans with a will has had a small increase of only 2.5 percent over the past year according to a Caring.com wills survey. Overall, the percentage of those with a will continues to decline, 33 percent in…
A complete estate plan contains a legally binding mandate called a will, describing the distribution of assets upon death. If you die without one (intestate), the state will distribute your assets and property via state law and quite possibly at…
When a Parent dies, family members often end up arguing over mom or dad’s favorite items. Arguments can take place over things like a coffee mug, a piece of jewelry or a painting. These types of arguments can be eliminated…
Though crafting your will can make you face some uncomfortable topics, like mortality, it does not compare to the difficulty your loved ones will face trying to handle the logistics problems in the absence of your will. Your last will…
Whether you have an estate plan in place or are starting from scratch, a letter of instruction (LOI) is an important part of any comprehensive plan. A letter of instruction can help your loved ones manage important information about you.…
Probate is an important legal process for authenticating a deceased person's will, reviewing their assets, paying their outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to their inheritors. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint a valid will's executor…
You should check your estate planning documents every so often, to make sure they’re still good, especially with big life changes like births, marriages, divorces, and moving to another state. Children grow up, marriages dissolve, property gets sold, residences change.…
My family and I don’t own much. Can’t we put off planning until we can afford it? You shouldn’t. It is crucial to give legal authority to a person of your choice, to care for your children if anything should…