Estate Planning
Is a Revocable Trust Right For Your Estate Plan?
Creating an estate plan offers peace of mind for the individual and their family. Revocable trusts are a good fit for many estate plans. Also known as “living trusts,” a revocable trust is a very flexible document that can be modified during your lifetime to reflect changes in your family or in your circumstances. They…
Read MoreHow to Prove Heirs Have Ownership of Mom’s House
Having a properly prepared will that clearly states your wishes, is the most important part of passing an asset like the family home to your children. Understanding the process by which real property is passed along to heirs, can give peace of mind to parents who are concerned about leaving a legal tangle for their…
Read MoreLove Means Never Having to Say “I Can’t Find That”
Do yourself and your loved ones a big favor: organize the avalanche of paperwork, document and files. Shred what you don’t need. Your family will always remember you for this! Giving your family the gift of a relatively seamless transition following your demise, is one of the many reasons for estate planning, including creating a…
Read MoreProtect Your Power of Attorney’s Power with—Yep, You Got It—An Attorney
An estate plan is far more than just a will. It includes legal documents that protect you while you are alive, if you are not able to make decisions on your own behalf. Everyone over the age of 18 should have medical and financial powers of attorney (POA) documents prepared. It’s not something we like…
Read MoreA Love Letter to Your Family: The Letter of Final Wishes
Your will covers the legal side of estate planning, but a Letter of Final Wishes comes from the heart. Use it as a means of telling your family what you’d like them to do and to know, when you are gone. These legal documents are necessary: a will, a power of attorney, living will and…
Read MoreDon’t Leave These Out of Your Will!
When most people think of creating a will, they think about naming an executor, distributing their financial assets and considering whether or not they need to include any tax planning in their estate plan. But there are a few other things you’ll want to be sure to include, according to an article from Philly.com, “5…
Read MoreTalking About Difficult Topics with Family Members
People respond to grief in different ways. Unfortunately, many families experience fights and even fracturing, after the passing of a parent. Inheritances often cause drama within families. According to a survey of 2,700 people conducted by Ameriprise Financial, as many as 25% of respondents said that an inheritance caused stress within the family. Sometimes, it’s…
Read MoreLeave a Legacy as Well as an Inheritance
Cash and investments are only part of the legacy you leave behind. Your family history, stories, values and personal items can also be shared across the generations. Most people think about money and property when they hear the word “inheritance.” However, in addition to passing along wealth and assets, families can take certain steps to…
Read MoreDon’t Forget to Update Estate and Financial Plans for These Stages and Changes in Life
Life is all about changes, from starting a family, buying a house, building a business, retiring and building a legacy. Your estate and financial plan needs to follow along with these changes and life events. It takes planning and the help of skilled professionals to guide us through complex areas that include estate planning and…
Read MoreTrust Fund Battle Heading to Federal Court, if Parties Can’t Settle Dispute
At issue is whether or not the owner of the New Orleans Saints can take his ownership shares out of trust funds that had been created for family members, when they were all on speaking terms. Sadly, the family is now fractured. Having had a change of heart about who he wants to inherit full…
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