Paying for a funeral can require some financial acrobatics. When you include the service, embalming, burial plot and other funeral-related expenses, your family might be on the hook for substantially more. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a casket alone can...
Estate Planning
When should you update your will?
When you created your estate plan, you likely included a last will and testament in these plans. This document provided an opportunity for you to name an executor for your estate and to list a guardian for any minor children you have. According to the American Bar...
What kind of special needs trust is best for your disabled son?
Perhaps your teenage son suffered injuries as the victim of a truck-car crash and is now disabled. He has government benefits but recently received a substantial insurance settlement. You wish to find a special needs trust that will ensure your son has lifetime...
Lifetime gifts as part of an estate plan
Large estates might be subject to taxation or other forms of dilution during the disbursement process. Some assets also fluctuate in value. These two factors have led many people to consider giving part of their estate away during their lifetime. This is a complex...
5 tips to help you become a successful executor
When you agreed to serve Aunt Polly as the executor of her estate, she was in good health, so becoming her personal representative seemed years away. Unfortunately, Aunt Polly died much sooner than expected. Here are five tips to help you administer her estate...
3 common estate planning mistakes to avoid
While it seems like a chore, prioritizing estate planning helps ensure your family gets taken care of after your passing. Many different factors need consideration during the planning process. Stay aware of the following pitfalls and avoid them as much as possible. 1....
Do you need power of attorney documents in your estate?
When you settle on an estate plan, you should think not only about what happens after you die but also beforehand. Some elements, such as power of attorney documents, may come in handy while you are still alive. What does a power of attorney do, and what might you...
What expenses do funeral trusts cover?
If you are writing a will, setting up a trust or tackling other estate planning matters, it may be wise to think about your funeral. After all, you can save your loved ones a great deal of heartache and money by paying for your final expenses while you are still...
Helpful tips for dividing assets between or among siblings
Your death is undoubtedly going to prove tough on your children, and they may find that they need one another more than ever during that time. However, taking certain steps when it comes to your Florida estate plan has the capacity to divide, rather than unite, your...
3 elements to include in a basic estate plan
A Florida estate plan helps ensure that your wishes for the future come to fruition after you are no longer around to see to it. When you die without having created an estate plan, the responsibility of distributing your assets and tying up other loose ends falls on...