Backup Plans Are Loving Too: Why You Need Contingent Agents and Guardians
Progressive Insurance recently rolled out a series of commercials featuring “backup” quarterbacks stepping in to handle everyday challenges, such as ordering food, giving advice, and even parking a trailer. After […]
The Hidden Burden: What It Really Means to be an Executor, Trustee, or Agent under a Power of Attorney
An 80-year-old widower relied on his adult daughter for help with his daily life and finances for more than a decade. During that time, she managed his finances under a […]
Your Future Caregivers May Not Be Who You Think They Are
Experts warn of a growing national crisis unrelated to politics, the economy, or the usual headline grabbers. It is a caregiving crisis, and it now touches nearly one-fourth of American […]
Foster Children in an Estate Plan
An estate plan can ensure that a foster child is legally protected and provided for on your terms. With it, you can ensure that your foster child is yours in the eyes of the law every bit as much as in your heart.
Avoid These Common and Expensive Mistakes: How to Leave Assets to Minor Children
You love your children and want to ensure that they are always taken care of. However, when leaving money and property to minor children, even the best intentions can lead to big problems.
New Baby? Time to Create Your Estate Plan
Have you just welcomed a baby to the family? Protecting your newborn goes beyond car seats and babyproofing. Ensure that your child is protected no matter what life brings by creating an estate plan.
If I Leave Someone My Home, What Do They Really Get?
In the eyes of the law, your home is a collection of several types of property along with their associated property rights. When the time comes to pass your home on at your death, the law, rather than any sentimental attachments or fond associations with the house, is what matters.
Parental Warning: If You Own Your Property This Way, You May Accidentally Disinherit Your Own Children
Many people think that owning property jointly allows them to avoid probate completely. Probate is the court process of transferring a person’s solely owned accounts and property that has no beneficiaries when the person dies to their heirs-at-law. While joint property ownership avoids the probate process when the first owner passes away, it does not guarantee that probate will be avoided forever.Many people think that owning property jointly allows them to avoid probate completely. While joint property ownership avoids the probate process when the first owner passes away, it does not guarantee that probate will be avoided forever.
Whom Should I Tell About My Estate Plan?
An estate plan cannot work if it is invisible. If no one knows that your plan exists or if no one can access your documents, it may as well not exist.
Treating Children Fairly Does Not Necessarily Mean Equally
Parents generally try to treat all their children fairly. We often assume that fairness means leaving an equal inheritance to each child. However, “fair” does not always mean “equal.”