February 1, 2023- Many people make the resolution to get their affairs in order by doing estate planning. Here are a few tips. When you see an estate planning attorney, ask for a written explanation of the documents you will be receiving, instead of just receiving an oral explanation. I often meet people who do not …
Estate Planning Considerations- Thoughts for the New Year Read More »
October 9, 2022- Beneficiary Designations– A beneficiary designation is a document whereby an individual can name a person or multiple people to receive the funds in a financial account or life insurance policy, so that the funds are payable upon the death of the account holder. If it has been some time since you designated your beneficiaries, you may want …
Estate Planning Considerations: Beneficiary Designations & Pets Read More »
September 7, 2022- When people think of estate planning, they typically think it’s going to a lawyer to prepare a will or completing an online will form. There are a couple of other considerations. Business– If you have a business, have you made provisions for what should happen in the event of your death? Do you …
Estate Planning Considerations: Business & An Important Question to Ask Read More »
July 31, 2022-Estate planning doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. Disagreements and lack of cooperation, not being able to find documents, and not knowing what you have or need can drive up the cost of estate planning. Below are some general tips on ways to reduce estate planning costs. Storage– Important papers should be …
June 1, 2022- What is a beneficiary designation? It is a very simple and direct way to leave the funds in your financial accounts to whomever you wish. Upon the passing of an account holder, the funds can be distributed to the person designated as the beneficiary. Beneficiary designations can be named on financial accounts such …
April 28, 2022- The definition of probate is establishing the validity of a will, which is a court process. Often times when someone dies without a will, you may still hear someone say that probate is necessary. At this point, it would be more technically correct to say that the estate has to be administered, …
April 14, 2022- For starters, what is meant by real property and why should anyone even care about this subject? Real property refers to land and everything permanently attached to it, so an example of real property is vacant land or land with a house on that land. Why should you care? How you own joint …
October 9, 2021- I have been contacted on several occasions to prepare trust documents, i.e., a fiduciary arrangement that allows a third party, or trustee, to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries. When I ask why, the reason is that the person wishes to avoid probate, i.e. court involvement for a deceased …
September 25, 2021- A client once said to me, “I have five kids, and I don’t like three of them, so I’m leaving everything to the other two and to charity.” She was one of the nicest and least stressed individuals I have ever met. In her mid-eighties, she knew what she wanted and had …