How to Choose a Guardian for Yourself
Every day we make hundreds of decisions from what to eat for breakfast to where we go on vacation. With each passing day, there are more choices to be made. ...
How to Successfully Make a “Large” Gift to Your Children or Grandchildren
What constitutes a “large” gift can be relative. If you are considering giving cash or property to someone, a little bit of planning can help avoid negative consequences. This is ...
Five Considerations When Selecting a Guardian for Your Children
There is no question that having children changes everything — and estate planning is no exception. If you and your spouse pass away or become legally incapacitated, and arrangements were ...
Your Five Task Year-End Estate Planning To-Do List
The new year is fast approaching. As we all prepare for the holidays, here are some things that should be on your end-of-year checklist: 1. Make Sure Your Estate Planning ...
Planning on Giving Money this Holiday Season? Five Things to Consider
The holiday season is a time to enjoy friends, family, and loved ones. Often, we consider our life circumstances and may get in the spirit of giving. This is particularly ...
Why New Parents Need an Estate Plan
Becoming a new parent is a life-changing experience, and caring for a child is an awesome and joyful responsibility. This is also the time to think about your child’s future ...
Beneficiary Designations and a Blended Family: Why You Need to Think Before You Sign
Whether you are in your first marriage or have remarried after a divorce, blended families are a common part of modern society. That being said, it is important to understand ...
Estate Planning For the Newly Married
Now is the perfect time to start working on an estate plan. As newlyweds, you are figuring out how to consolidate two households into one. You’ve already been working on ...
Do you really need a trust?
Although many people equate “estate planning” with having a will, there are many advantages to having a trust rather than a will as the centerpiece of your estate plan. While ...
What are Letters of Testamentary?
An individual who has been named as a personal representative or executor in a will has a number of important duties. These include gathering the deceased person's property and transferring it to the beneficiaries through a court-supervised process known as probate. In order to initiate this proceeding, the executor must first obtain what are referred to as Letters of Testamentary. In Wisconsin, they are called Domiciliary Letters. This document gives the executor the legal authority to administer the deceased person's estate.