Category Archives: Estate Planning
My Loved One Has Died: As an Heir or Beneficiary, Do I Need an Attorney?
You just found out that your favorite aunt, Aunt Melba, has died. In the midst of your grief and sadness, you receive a notice from the attorney handling Aunt Melba’s affairs stating that you are a beneficiary. Your best friend advises you to get an attorney. What should you do? Will Aunt Melba’s attorney… Read More »
Caution: Beware of DIY Estate Planning
We hear this question about DIY estate planning all the time: “Can’t I just grab a will off the internet, do a transfer-on-death deed for my land, put my kids on my bank account, and be done with my estate plan?” DIY estate planning is just not a good idea. For the plan to… Read More »
What to Do If a Loved One Dies While Traveling Abroad
The death of a loved one can be one of the most disorienting life events. But if the loved one dies while traveling abroad in a foreign country, the emotional and bureaucratic burdens can multiply exponentially. Things to Consider if A Loved One Dies in a Foreign Country Contact the United States Bureau of… Read More »
Should You Own Your Timeshare in Your Trust?
Timeshares have come a long way since they first arrived in the real estate market back in the ’70s. In the early days of timeshare ownership, high-pressure sales tactics, exceedingly vague contracts, and inflexible scheduling policies caused many people to quickly regret such purchases. Over time, however, timeshares have become more consumer-friendly with greater… Read More »
What to do with your inherited retirement account
For decades, common financial planning wisdom has encouraged almost all-American workers to maximize their contributions to qualified retirement accounts. Indeed, doing so can be a powerful way to reduce your current income tax liability, grow your savings exponentially tax-free, and, in most states, protect your savings from claims of creditors. And by and large,… Read More »
A Tale of Two Celebrities: Chadwick Boseman and Eddie Van Halen
Estate planning is the process of making decisions about what happens to you, your money, and your property when you pass away or can no longer make decisions for yourself. This year, the deaths of two significant celebrities—the international rock superstar Eddie Van Halen and the global acting phenomenon Chadwick Boseman —provide examples of… Read More »
What is the Probate Process?
Probate is the legal process for authenticating a deceased person’s last will and testament, reviewing their assets, paying their outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to their heirs. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint the person nominated as personal representative under a valid will to administer the estate of the… Read More »
Letter of Instruction for Your Estate Plan
Whether you are starting from scratch or have an estate plan in place, a letter of instruction (LOI) is an important part of any comprehensive plan. A letter of instruction can help your loved ones manage important information about you. A letter of instruction conveys your desires, includes practical information about where to find… Read More »
How to Own Your Real Estate
Real estate encompasses not only one’s primary residence, but also other real estate such as a vacation home or a rental property. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of real estate you own. Below, we take a look at the different types of real estate and offer guidance about the… Read More »
Seven Bad Reasons for Delaying Estate Planning
Too many people in this country mistakenly believe that estate planning is only for the wealthy. In reality, an estate plan is an important financial document that everyone should have, no matter how many assets they currently own. Below are 7 common scenarios that lead people to think that estate planning is unnecessary for… Read More »
