It's always a shock when a spouse dies unexpectedly. That shock can turn to outright dismay, however, if you find out that you weren't even mentioned in your spouse's will. Sometimes, this is done in an attempt to intentionally disinherit a spouse, particularly if...
As you get started with estate planning, it's natural to focus the majority of your attention on your assets and what you want to happen to them upon your death. While this is important, both to you and your loved ones, it's far from the only thing to take into...
Nobody really likes to think about either death or taxes, but the two are heavily intertwined -- especially since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 went into effect. If you haven't spent some time reviewing your existing estate plans to see what changes should be made...
Generally, we all want our loved ones to have healthy, independent lives. But what if you don't think that's possible?you may be very concerned that one of your loved ones is making some really poor choices and doesn't seem to have the capability to manage their own...
Few things are as upsetting as learning that someone has taken advantage of your parent as their health and mental acuity declined. Most families will discuss inheritances and legacies at some point as parents begin to age.If you and your siblings know that your...
If you're the executor of someone's estate, you need to remember one key rule: Probate is a legal process. You're bound to follow certain rules. If you don't, you can end up in litigation that opens you up to personal liability. Here are the biggest mistakes you can...
Maybe mom has been getting a little forgetful and has stopped paying the bills even though there's money in the account. Or, dad has developed the early signs of dementia and you're concerned that his condition is worsening. Your intentions are good and you mean the...
You may think that because you are in your early 20s with no dependents and few assets that you don't need an estate plan. But all adults should draft a few basic estate planning documents.Why is that, you may wonder? Well, very few people have nothing of value to...
Your estate planning needs will change with certain events in your life, including the birth of a child. You must ensure that your new baby is properly cared for if something happens to you and the other parent. If only one parent passes away, it is assumed that the...
Are you ready to write your will? A quick search on Google will lead you to numerous websites where you can find downloadable forms for little or no cost. Why hire an attorney to write your will when there are forms available online? Let's talk about the reasons it's...