Avoiding Inheritance Mistakes
When a loved one passes away, dealing with the death and receiving an inheritance is an emotional time. The loss of a loved one is sad, but the influx of funds can bring joy or relief. It can be hard…
Is Equal Inheritance Right for Your Children?
More often than not the right way to divide assets is equally among children. Yet, in some families, each child receiving the same inheritance can be inappropriate, deplete the estate’s assets due to ensuing litigation, or cause other family issues…
Do You Have All the Legal Documents You Need?
Making sound financial and healthcare decisions as you age can become challenging due to diminished mental capacity or declining health. Everyone should develop an estate plan to protect themselves and their families. Putting these five must-have legal documents in place…
Guardianship of Elderly Parents
The ability to make informed and meaningful decisions regarding a parent’s life often declines as they age. This growing inability may occur due to Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, mental illness, stroke, brain injury, or other severe health or…
Getting to Know Probate
Most estate planning attorneys can help you avoid probate altogether or minimize its impact. Probate proceedings are part of the public record and can be very time-consuming and expensive. However, in nearly every case, some probate is necessary, so it…
Revise Your Estate Plan Upon Divorce
Divorce is an emotional and financial rollercoaster (particularly if children are involved). Rarely is the division of assets an amicable process. While your estate plan may be the furthest thing from your mind during a divorce, without updating your documents, your…
Estate Planning and Elder Law
It might seem confusing to think about estate planning vs. elder law as you begin to plan your future, both financially and in terms of health care. Estate planning and elder law also have some similarities. Even though these two types…
How to Understand Powers of Attorney (POA)
As part of your estate planning process, you should implement Power of Attorney documents. All states recognize powers of attorney, but rules and requirements will differ from state to state. The document gives one or more individuals the legal authority to…
Developing an Estate Plan for Non-Traditional Families
Over the past thirty years, family structures have changed significantly. Previously, a traditional family consisted of a husband and wife who married young, bought a home, had children, and worked towards financial stability. In 1949, 79.8 percent of American households…
A Guide to Understanding Probate Regardless of Will
Probate court is where the probate process takes place, most people are familiar with the fact that it takes place following someone's death. Unfortunately, fewer people know that it can be a long and complicated process. It can sometimes take…