Estate planning

Identifying the parties with an interest in an estate is one of the most important parts of estate administration. Personal representatives or executors may review wills and other documents. They may also need to publish notice to advise creditors and distant...

When you create an estate plan, you expect it to spare your family from conflict after you pass on. However, trouble can begin when the documents you leave behind contain gaps, contradictions or technical flaws. Recognizing the errors that could appear allows you and...

Those doing their estate planning have several options regarding the financial vehicles that they employ. Trusts remain a popular option. Spendthrift trusts are a specific subgroup of that type. When funding a spendthrift trust for a loved one, it's vital to ensure...

You and your partner may have been together for so long that co-workers, acquaintances and maybe even some of your friends don’t realize you aren’t married. It likely doesn’t matter to you that you haven’t taken that step and maybe never will. In some matters,...

Trusts are beneficial because they can provide more control over the use of property. In cases where beneficiaries are vulnerable, trusts can be especially valuable. Parents and other family members worried about an adult child with a substance abuse disorder may want...

Most adults have probably heard that they need to have an estate plan in place, but some may not realize the importance of it. While you may have seen one-size-fits-all estate plan programs online, those are typically a good idea for most adults.  Your estate plan...

When you ask people if they have made an estate plan, they sometimes tell you that they simply have not done it yet, even though they are going to. In some cases, people will say that they want to earn more first. They do not think that their net worth is high enough...

If you are creating an estate plan to protect your legacy, then you may want to consider adding a revocable trust. A revocable trust allows you to transfer assets to a trust that is managed by a trustee. The trustee is responsible for distributing trust funds and...

A financial power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning tools available to any adult of sound mind. Yet, many people overlook it when creating their plans.  If you have not yet executed this legal document, know that it can allow you to designate...

Adulting isn't easy. While living on your own is an adventure in independence, it also has its downsides, such as paying rent and scheduling your own doctor and dentist appointments. You can now add "estate planning" to that list because it's not just for people who...