Beyond Medical Care: Personal Benefits of Advance Directives
Establishing an advance directive can serve as a powerful expression of your personal values and autonomy.
When to Consider Discretionary Trusts for Your Estate Plan
Leaving your hard-earned assets outright to your children, grandchildren, or other loved ones after you die may seem like the simplest way to pass on your legacy. But what appears straightforward can often expose those assets to unnecessary risk, from creditors...
What Is a Last Will and Testament, and Do I Need One?
What first comes to mind when you hear the term estate planning? Like most people, you probably think of a will, also known as a last will and testament. Though many important documents constitute an estate plan, the will is...
Per Stirpes vs Per Capita: What Do These Mean in a Will?
A Will Is Part of Your Estate Plan
Creating an estate plan is essential for ensuring that your wishes are honored regarding who inherits your money and property and that your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. It...
How Estate Plans Can Help Family Members Avoid Legal Battles
The ongoing rivalries among the members of the Murdoch family or between Prince William and the Duke of Sussex may seem far from everyday reality. Yet drama, lost time, and broken relationships are a genuine problem in many immediate families,...
When, Why, and How to Talk About End-of-Life Care
Talking about death, especially one’s own death, remains a topic that most people avoid thinking about or openly discussing. However, avoiding conversations about death and end-of-life care can lead to discomfort, confusion, and unfulfilled wishes in the long run.
According...
Spring Cleaning for Your Estate Plan: Review and Revise
Estate planning is a valuable aspect of financial and personal planning that ensures your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes and that your health care preferences are followed. However, creating an estate plan is not a one-time...
Transfer-On-Death Accounts: A Useful Estate Planning Tool
What Is a TOD Account?
When considering how to pass your assets on to the next generation or other beneficiaries, you have many options. One tool in your estate planning toolkit is the transfer-on-death account.
Transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts allow account owners...
Love Your Pet Day: Estate Planning and Your Companion Animal
Having a pet comes with many benefits. Pets may offer companionship and loyalty, while quality time with your pet can decrease your stress levels. They can teach your children about responsibility and emotional skills. Their presence can also encourage you...
Estate Planning for a Vacation Home
If you are fortunate enough to own a vacation home, you need to figure out what will happen to it after you are gone. Many people in this situation hope to keep vacation homes in the family. Guaranteeing that can...