A will is arguably the most important document in your estate plan. It instructs the executor about how to distribute your property and allows you to name a guardian for your children in case something happens to you. Wills can include information about specific...
Estate Planning
What should you know about the Medicaid look-back period?
You are getting older and know that your estate plan is one way to help protect your interests. Something that you may be looking into obtaining in the future is Medicaid, but do you know what it takes to qualify for Medicaid and how to protect your assets from an...
What happens if your family members contest your will?
Two of the main reasons that people invest the time and effort into creating estate plans are to maintain control over what happens to their property and to minimize probate expenses and delays. Unfortunately, if someone in your family challenges your estate plan or...
A trust makes it easier to pass assets to your minor grandchildren
Leaving an inheritance for the people in your family when you die requires careful advance planning. You need to understand what assets you have and what obligations your estate will have to handle after your death. Everything from creditor claims to estate taxes can...
Don’t rely on intestate laws instead of a will
When you are thinking about your estate, do you feel that the intestate laws in your state are going to protect your beneficiaries? The reality is that these laws rarely reflect a person’s true intentions for their assets. By relying on them, they’re leaving the...
Life insurance is part of your assets. Just don’t put it in your will.
One way to provide for your heirs is to buy a life insurance policy. You will leave them all sorts of other assets as well, but the life insurance is money you know they’re going to get at a time when they need it. In this sense, it is part of the assets you are...
3 steps to naming a guardian for your kids in your estate plan
Once you become a parent, you are officially responsible for your child's life. You need to feed them, make sure they receive adequate health care and help them learn about the world. Most parents will enjoy years of involvement with their children, but some parents...
Just moved? It’s time to reassess your estate plan
When you live in one state and set up your estate plan there, you have to remember that what you’ve done is protected by that state’s laws. If those laws change or you move to a new place, you need to update your estate plan to make sure that you’re protected. After...
My kids don’t want the family business
Starting your own company is often one step to achieving a bigger dream for you and your family. Building a business can be a legacy that you pass down to your children for their future and beyond. When you started, you may have considered that your children might not...
Deciding who should take over the family business
Building a business can be an exciting venture for you and your family. While the company may start as your personal goal, your family can be a significant part of making your idea a success. Some family members are better candidates than others for taking over the...