Estate Planning

If You Don’t Have a Will, You’re Not Alone – But That’s Not a Good Thing

A recent USA Today article noted that fewer older Americans have estate plans than ever before. This troubling trend should sound alarm bells throughout the land, but for a majority of Americans this is not news at all. In fact, it’s estimated that only about one third of adults have an estate plan. Of the two-thirds that don’t have any advanced planning in place, almost three-quarters are women. The statistics are downright worrisome, but why are so many of us foregoing this valuable […]

Estate Planning for Blended Families

For purposes of estate planning, a blended family is one where married couples have children from previous relationships or marriages. These families can include step children, half siblings, or even extended family members who live in the same household. It is very important to revisit your estate plan after a divorce or remarriage, especially when children are involved. The only way to make sure your children are protected in these situations is to have an estate plan in place that reflects your wishes. […]

Why You Should Avoid Do-It-Yourself Wills

I admit, it’s tempting. The lure of the instant solution, avoiding a stodgy lawyer’s office, saving money, and a easy way to check that project off your to-do list. I’m speaking of course about the myriad of online options for creating your own will or trust. It seems like they’re all over the internet these days. But like so many other things on the internet, you should be careful where you tread. Sometimes because you can doesn’t mean you should. Not that you’re […]

Is it Time to Review Your Estate Plan?

When you had your will drafted years ago, you might have thought it could sit in your file cabinet until that fateful day when it was needed and everything would work out just fine. That might be true, but the reality is that things change, and the estate plan you set up in your 30s might not be what you need in your 50s or beyond. So maybe it’s time to blow the dust off and take a look at your documents to […]

Are Charitable Trusts Right for You?

There are many reasons why people donate to charity. While tax benefits may be important to some, altruism is far and away the leading impetus for giving away one’s assets. Donors may have a personal connection to a certain cause or simply want to be part of something meaningful, but the feeling they get from their benevolence is likely the driver of their generosity. Luckily for such kind-hearted people, there are estate planning techniques that make fulfilling their charitable intent both tax-efficient and […]

Providing for Beloved Pets and Service Animals

Let’s face it. Our pets are not just loyal companions, they’re members of our family. We have them groomed, we make sure they have their favorite chew toys when we leave for work, we hire pet-sitters when we go out of town. We even buy pet insurance to cover their medical expenses. We love them like children. And just like our kids, they are dependent on us for their care. So what would happen if you were unexpectedly missing from their life? Well, […]

Ancillary Documents and Planning for Incapacity

It could happen at any time. You are unexpectedly struck by an illness or injury that leaves you unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate. Your doctors are unaware of your wishes regarding life-saving measures, and they can’t rely on your loved ones for medical decisions because federal law prevents them disclosing details about your condition. Or perhaps your incapacity is prolonged, your mortgage and other bills are due, and your loved one don’t have access to your bank account to make payments. These […]

10 Things To Know About Beneficiary Designations

Estate planning is about much more than just a will or living trust. While many of your assets can pass to your loved ones through those documents, there are plenty more assets that cannot. These “non-probate” assets are ones that require you to name a beneficiary that will receive the assets when you pass, and include life insurance policies, annuities, 401k plans, IRAs, pension plans, stock options, and government benefit plans. Choosing who you name as a beneficiary might seem like an easy […]

Protecting Our Young Adults

Our children are precious to us, and they grow up so fast. In the blink of an eye, it seems, they go from toddlers to college students. And in the eyes of the state, when they turn 18 our children are legally no longer children at all – they’re adults. That means they become responsible for themselves overnight, but we parents know that our responsibility for our kids’ wellbeing never ends. Parenting is a lifelong endeavor. So say your teenager goes off to […]

13 Ways Trusts Can Improve Your Estate Plan

If you think that trusts are only for the wealthy, you’re missing out on some wonderful opportunities to make your estate plan something more than just a will and a power of attorney. In fact, trusts are arguably the most versatile estate planning tool we planners have in our arsenals. They can be used to accomplish a wide variety of objectives and create benefits you may not have realized were possible. Here are 13 ways adding trusts to your estate plan will benefit […]

RESOURCES

If You Don’t Have a Will, You’re Not Alone – But That’s Not a Good Thing

Estate Planning for Blended Families

Why You Should Avoid Do-It-Yourself Wills

Is it Time to Review Your Estate Plan?

Are Charitable Trusts Right for You?

Providing for Beloved Pets and Service Animals

Ancillary Documents and Planning for Incapacity

10 Things To Know About Beneficiary Designations

Protecting Our Young Adults

13 Ways Trusts Can Improve Your Estate Plan

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