Wills, Trusts & Dying Intestate: How They Differ
Most people understand that having some sort of an estate plan is a good thing. However, many of us do not take the first steps to get that estate plan ...
What Happens If My Beneficiary Dies Before Me?
When planning for death, most people assume they will die before their beneficiaries (e.g., their spouse, children, and grandchildren). While these assumptions are often well-founded, they do not always come ...
Seven Ways to Avoid Family Fights over Your Property
Ask a group of friends if they have experienced a family fight over property after a loved one has died, and you will be in for a lively and eye-opening ...
HELP! This Probate Is Taking Forever!!!
After a loved one dies, their money and property must be distributed to the right people, either according to their will or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its ...
Choosing a Gift to Give to a Charity
If you are considering making a donation to a public charity, you are not limited to donating cash. Depending upon your financial situation, giving objectives, and the needs of the ...
Strategies for Your Charitable Planning
There are many reasons why you may want to give to a charity: You may give because you believe strongly in a cause or organization, but it can also reduce ...
Unclaimed Property: What It Is, Where to Find It, and Its Impact on Estate Planning & Administration
For most of us, every penny counts, so it is almost inconceivable that we could have lost track of any money or property. Regardless of how careful we are with ...
Which Distribution Method Is Best? Showing Your Children the Love
If you are a parent, you probably love to do good things for your children—and leaving them an inheritance is one of the most tangible ways you can show your ...
Estate Planning Strategies to Protect Your Spouse
You have searched for and found the love of your life, maybe your first love, or maybe after a previous marriage. As you have built your life together, you have ...
We All Need a Yearly Checkup: Your Estate Plan Does Too
One of the main reasons for getting an annual physical is to detect and treat problems before an illness or health condition becomes serious. Likewise, it is important for your ...