Estate planning may involve someone drafting a will, creating a trust or creating documents that take effect while they are still alive. Not that long ago, people planning estates in Washington would create living wills. However, the state has transitioned now to...
Estate Planning
When should you update your estate plans?
Life is constantly changing and your estate plan should be updated to reflect those changes. Estate plans should be regularly reviewed every three to five years because the plans that you created five years ago may not truly reflect your current circumstances. Also,...
Why would a healthy young adult need estate planning?
To the young, estate planning seems like a negative experience revolving only around death. Although it allows you to address end-of-life matters, estate planning can add confidence and security during your life as well. During past eras, young adults rarely...
Estate planning and funding your grandchild’s college education
Many grandparents believe the best legacy they can leave their grandchildren is a good education. With the costs of college increasing every year (and doubling every nine years), funding a grandchild’s education can be one of the best inheritances you can give them....
Who pays your taxes for your estate?
Making an estate plan may start with deciding who gets which assets, but it goes beyond that. You also need to pick a personal representative who is going to handle the estate for you. The main job that this person has is to read your will and carry out whatever it...
How to find the right personal representative for your estate
One of the most important decisions you can ever make is creating an estate plan. With one in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that your and your loved ones' futures are protected. But as you continue with your estate planning process, one of the critical...
Questions to ask yourself before contesting someone’s estate
They say you should choose your battles wisely. It certainly applies to contesting someone’s estate. If you are unhappy with a deceased loved one's estate plan and are one of the few people eligible to contest it in court, you still need to think carefully before...
Can you protect your will from being contested?
When you create a will as part of your estate planning process, you are doing so to ensure that your assets end up in the right hands when you die. For that reason, you want to be sure that you get everything right. Unfortunately, all that effort can amount to nothing...
Some surprising facts about wills
Estate planning is an important process and a final will is a fundamental part of this. A will allows you to expressly share your final wishes and ensure that these are carried out after your passing. With a will, you can allocate various assets to those who are most...
What if your LTCI provider gets out of the business?
You purchased a long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy many years ago – perhaps through your employer or maybe on your own. As a fairly young person (maybe in your 30s or 40s), you were able to get in at a good rate. You’ve been paying your premiums regularly ever...