Protecting
Your Legacy
Probate proceedings are usually necessary when an adult dies. Surviving family members often initiate the probate process by filing paperwork with the courts. Typically, they must locate estate planning paperwork, including the will of the deceased individual. In some...
If you haven’t looked at your estate plan in a while, you’re not alone. Many people create an estate plan and tuck it away, assuming the job is done. On paper, it might look like you’ve taken care of everything, but the reality may be very different. An outdated...
If you have an estate plan in place (even a simple will), your spouse is likely mentioned multiple times. That means if you’re divorcing, you’ll need to review your estate plan as soon as possible to determine what changes you want or need to make and the appropriate...
When estate planning, it is very common to think about assets that have a lot of financial value. This could include a life insurance policy, a family home, a vacation property, commercial real estate, an investment portfolio and things of this nature. And it is...
Wills can accomplish many different estate planning goals. People can appoint a guardian to care for their children or nominate a personal representative to oversee estate administration. They can identify their beneficiaries and dictate what each beneficiary inherits...
Probate proceedings help protect the rights of parties with an interest in an estate. Heirs and beneficiaries expecting to inherit from an estate have an interest in the probate process. So do creditors owed money by the decedent. The personal representative managing...
Dementia is a progressive condition that can deeply affect memory, behavior and the ability to make sound decisions. For many families, recognizing when a loved one can no longer manage their affairs independently is difficult. However, when dementia reaches a point...
People selling real estate may require weeks to get their property ready for listing. It may then take some time to attract the right buyers. Buyers make an offer based on the perceived value of the property. Sellers accept offers based on the price, the timeline for...
It can be a bit complex to talk about estate planning with your own parents. On one hand, you want to ensure that they have a plan in place, and it can be helpful to have discussions about what they expect. On the other hand, you don’t want them to think that you are...
When a person dies, their debts don’t automatically die with them, but they don’t transfer over to the person’s loved ones unless specific conditions are met. In most cases, the debts become the responsibility of the person’s estate. If the decedent’s estate doesn’t...
