Estate planning isn’t just about directing what happens with your assets after you die. It’s also about protecting your future. One important part of any estate plan is a health care directive. Having a health care directive in place is one of the best things you can...
Naming a personal representative is often an important part of creating an estate plan. Your deceased loved one likely chose someone whom they trusted for that position. If they didn't name someone, then the court will appoint a representative for the estate. Most of...
Your estate is made up of your assets, property and money … and it is alive. Think of it like a house plant. Once acquired and placed in that perfect spot in the home, you need to provide it with some care to keep it from drying up. So is your estate plan. Once you...
Your estate plan ensures the distribution of your estate according to your wishes after your death. It also provides direction for your care in the event of your incapacitation. An estate plan includes more than a will. It includes several documents that you should...
A detailed estate plan doesn't just protect the people you love by ensuring they inherit your assets. It also helps protect you from poverty in your final years of life. Although you may not have worried much about your retirement when you first drafted a last will,...
Trusts provide a way for people to pass assets down to their heirs without having to worry about them going through the probate process. There are many different types of trusts, so it’s imperative that you choose the one that suits the circumstances. One thing that...
Your last will and testament tells your personal representative how to handle your estate and lets your family members know what to expect as beneficiaries. You likely invested significant time and consideration into the creation of your will. Unfortunately, all it...
When preparing for end-of-life and long-term health care decisions, there are two main tools available: Medical powers of attorney and living wills. What if you have neither of those at a critical medical moment when you’re suddenly unable to speak for yourself? If...
While you’re going through the process of working on your estate planning, it’s a good idea to learn more about "testamentary capacity" and what it could mean for you in the future. Having the mental capacity to complete a task means that you are capable of...
Nobody ever gave you a thing you didn’t work for. You certainly weren’t born with any silver spoons in your mouth. But because you weren’t afraid of hard work, you persevered and managed to accrue a nice-sized estate to leave your heirs and beneficiaries. You worry,...
