You’re in your twenties or thirties. You are chugging along in life with a decent job, no known significant health issues and few assets. You joke with friends that most of your humble belongings would fit in a backpack. So having an estate plan is the absolute last...
If you’re like many people starting the estate planning process, your retirement accounts comprise a significant portion of your assets. You’ve already designated the beneficiaries directly on these accounts, but it’s still a good idea to include them in your estate...
For quite a while, you’ve noticed that your mom’s mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be. At first, it was small things that you just chalked up to normal age, distraction or stress. Now, you realize that your mom probably has some form of dementia. Bills are going...
The thought of estate planning is difficult because it forces you to think about a future that does not include you. However tough it may be, it is important to do your research and make the right choices for your family. Do I need a will? If you pass away without a...
If you and your partner are among the many who believe that a long-term, committed relationship doesn’t require a marriage certificate, you still need to protect yourselves via some legal documents. For example, you may have a cohabitation agreement to designate,...
Basic estate planning can benefit anyone. It helps ensure that the distribution of your assets follows your wishes upon your death. Additionally, estate planning dictates who will control your health care and property should you become incapacitated. Important estate...
People who are creating an estate plan should ensure that they have everything in order so their assets can be distributed in accordance with the plan. Typically, the estate plan will include the will and trusts that provide that information. Many people don’t realize...
It’s easy to forget that you have a safe deposit box – especially if you rarely access it. Maybe you use it to store documents like your marriage certificate (or divorce decree), your house title and your birth certificate. You may have some valuables in there like...
One of the key reasons for having an estate plan is to be able to designate family members, other loved ones and worthy organizations as the beneficiaries of your assets. That may seem like a simple enough task. However, it’s crucial that you specify all of your...
Your parents worked hard for the wealth they accumulated during their lives. Basic fairness dictates they should have some control over what happens to their assets after their death. Writing a comprehensive will, of course, removes much of the doubt about your...