A strong last will and testament is the foundation of most estate plans, regardless of how complex a person's estate may be. Whether you have significant resources to manage and disperse or simply want to make sure that your wishes are clearly documented for your...
Estate Planning
There is a great chance your children will lose your wealth
As a parent, nothing feels as important to you as taking care of your children. You feel like you can keep doing that after you pass away. You can leave them your money and other assets, giving them financial security. You see your estate plan as one more way to...
Have you been procrastinating on an update to your will?
Many of us make a will at some point in our adult lives and then always mean to get around to updating it, but never do. It is better to have some form of a valid will than no will at all. But simply leaving a will in a safe or safety deposit box for years can lead to...
Estate planning is a must, so why do people procrastinate?
Eventually, you'll need an estate plan. It's a must. You know it. Your heirs know it. At some point, your assets -- no matter how much you have -- need to get passed on to the next generation. It's something everyone has to do. However, many people act like they don't...
Estate disputes aren’t always about your money
You're not oblivious to the fact that children fight over their parents' estates. It happened to you. While you still feel close to two of your siblings, there's one you haven't talked to since your own parents passed away. A legal battle over financial assets left...
4 questions that help with estate planning
Wondering how to get started on your estate planning? One excellent way to get it moving forward is simply to ask yourself a series of questions about your goals for the process. This gets you thinking about where you're heading, and you can then work backward to...
Have you created a living will as part of your estate plan?
If you have already taken the step of creating a last will that outlines who should receive which assets that you own, you may think that your estate planning is done. In reality, estate planning is much more complex than listing heirs and beneficiaries. A good estate...
There are many reasons to update your estate plan documents
When people make an estate plan or last will, they often think of it as a one-time project. In reality, creating a comprehensive estate plan requires ongoing attention. As a general rule, it is usually smart to revisit your last will and all other documents from your...
Creating a trust can protect your legacy— and your loved ones
No one likes to think about their own death. It's morbid and can be quite depressing. However, if you have substantial assets, minor children or other people who depend on you, failing to create a thorough estate plan could leave them at risk if something happens to...
Adding a special clause can help keep your estate out of probate
One of the reasons that people take the time to create an estate plan is because they don't want to have their assets stuck in probate limbo for months. For many people, estate planning is a means of creating a legacy. Whether that's leaving certain cherished items to...