In some cases, an estate executor reads the estate plan, passes out documentation to other family members, and then distributes the assets with no issues at all. Everyone simply accepts the plan as being accurate and takes the inheritance they have been given. But...
Planning for the future means more than signing documents, it’s about preserving your values and protecting the people you care about. For many, the hardest part isn't making the plan, but talking about it with family. These conversations, especially with adult...
When we’re young, we subconsciously believe nothing bad can happen to us. Death is far from our minds, and we have all the time in the world. Most young people also haven’t had the opportunity to accumulate many assets and aren’t particularly worried about who will...
When drafting an estate plan, some assets may be given to single beneficiaries, while others may be divided during estate administration. For example, family heirlooms might be distributed to multiple adult children, with each receiving specific items according to the...
When you’re developing your estate plan, it’s often the little things that count. You may not have a hard time dividing up the value of your investments, the house, your vehicles and other major assets, especially if you intend to divide them roughly evenly between...
As parents age, it becomes increasingly important for their adult children to observe their well-being with care. Their capacity to make sound financial, legal and personal decisions may decline over time due to various physical or cognitive health issues. Recognizing...
You may already understand the importance of having a power of attorney (POA). It is invaluable to have a person you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. But if one is good, is two better? The pros and cons A POA is a legal document that...
For decades, living wills helped give people control in the event of a medical emergency. People engaged in estate planning could choose to draft a living will as a way of determining what medical care they receive in an emergency. Many people only ever sit down to...
Many people believe that estate planning is something that only the elderly or those with serious illnesses need to worry about. However, if you are 18 and over and earning a good income, it just makes sense to prepare for your future by creating an estate plan....
It’s often uncomfortable for older generations to talk about wealth and inheritance. Unfortunately, even people who take time to establish an estate plan may fail to prepare their beneficiaries for what will happen when they pass on due to this discomfort. This leaves...
