Why Trusts Are Important Estate Planning Tools

September 12, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Estate planning involves creating a plan for where – and to whom – your assets will go upon your death. The process can include making a will, designating which of your loved ones should receive your retirement accounts and life...

Probate Process: A General Timeline

August 26, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Probate is the legal process of formally recognizing a will after a person dies, naming or validating an executor to administer the estate, and distributing assets to intended beneficiaries. It also requires paying the decedent’s outstanding debts and federal and state...

How to Get a Death Certificate After a Loved One Dies

July 11, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

The most recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) indicates more than 3,400,000 deaths in the United States in 2021. When someone dies, the local government issues a formal document known as a death certificate. The death...

Medicaid Planning Protects Your Home

March 28, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Your most valuable property may be your home, which is true for many people. You likely want your children to inherit that value when you pass away. However, you may also have concerns about planning for the future, especially if...

Reducing the Risk of a Family Fight in Probate Court

March 21, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Many family circumstances can increase the risk of probate litigation. High-risk factors that often bring about probate litigation can include sibling rivalry, second marriages without a prenuptial agreement, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Also, a non-standard estate plan may treat children...

What to Know About Creating a Living Will

February 29, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Creating a living will ensures your future healthcare decisions and plans are respected. A living will, or advance directive, is a legal document outlining medical treatment preferences and end-of-life care if you can’t communicate or make decisions for yourself. Everyone...

New Year’s Resolution: Get That Estate Plan Done

January 18, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Visiting your attorney to get your estate plan done is one New Year's resolution that you should definitely keep. None of us knows whether or when we may find ourselves seriously injured or sick. But if it does happen, you...

What to Know About Probate: Estate Planning Basics

December 28, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Most estate planning attorneys can help you craft an estate plan that minimizes or avoids probate altogether. Probate proceedings are part of the public record and can be very time-consuming and expensive. However, in nearly every case, to some extent...

What Is a Gun Trust?: Estate Planning Q&A

December 7, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

According to Pew Research, 30 percent of adults in the United States report owning a firearm. Gun sales have risen in recent years, particularly during the Coronavirus pandemic. While many reported having weapons for protection and hunting, 6 percent owned...

Estate Planning for Your Digital Legacy

October 19, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

One aspect of your estate plan that you may not yet have taken into consideration is your digital legacy. Arranging what happens to your digital assets and information when you pass away has become an increasingly essential component of financial...