Any time that you hear someone talk about writing a will or making an estate plan, do you make a mental note to get your own estate plans started? On some levels, this is a very good mindset. It shows that you know how important estate planning is for your family’s...
If you’re about to embark on a second (or third) marriage, you’re likely considering what changes you need to make to your estate plans. If you don’t already have an estate plan, you shouldn’t wait any longer. Likely, your goals for your estate plan include ensuring...
While there are countless big companies out there with shareholders and boards of directors, there are far more small, family-run businesses run by a sole owner and a few support staff. It's not uncommon for family members to heavily rely on the continued success of...
Procrastination is part of human nature. The more unpleasant the task is, the more excuses someone will find to delay doing it. Estate planning doesn't feature highly on anyone's list of fun activities. Thinking about your death and about the financial needs of the...
Even though you are young, if you’re looking into creating an estate plan, you should also consider designating someone as your health care proxy. A health care proxy is a legal form that gives someone else the ability to make medical decisions for you if you cannot...
Power of attorney documents help round out your estate plan. They ensure that you have protection if you experience a serious medical event or get into a car crash by giving someone else the legal right to act in your stead. You might have multiple different power of...
Choosing an executor for your estate can be hard. There are lots of tips out there on how to pick someone with the right characteristics for the job -- and they’re good to know. However, you may have to start with one basic question: Do you want a relative, a friend...
As you start working on your estate plan, one thing you may want to do is to protect your family home. In the event that you’re ever significantly in debt or you don’t have your financial affairs in order, there is a risk that your home could be lost. Fortunately,...
When someone you love asks you to be the executor of their estate, you may feel honored and possibly cornered as though you have no option but to say yes. There is a reason that asking someone is commonplace when deciding on an executor or administrator for an estate,...
Living on the Florida panhandle often means that your estate includes a condo or beach house. But when elderly parents who own beachfront property die, their adult children may squabble over who will get that prime piece of real estate. Some may angle to keep it in...
