Estate planning is often largely about the protection of other people. Testators want to provide for their dependent family members. They want to prevent their loved ones from fighting with each other. They draft documents that help ensure their loved ones have...
Two potential options for elderly individuals, when looking at long-term care planning, are conservatorships and guardianships. Both of these legal tools put someone else in charge of the elderly individual, with a focus on making important decisions and prioritizing...
Planning for the future is about more than growing wealth. It’s about safeguarding it from threats. Without proper planning, creditors, lawsuits and estate taxes can decimate your assets, leaving your beneficiaries without the inheritance you intended. Adding one or...
If you are considering using a trust as part of your estate plan, one of the things you will need to consider is whether to create a revocable trust or an irrevocable one. One of the key reasons people opt for irrevocable trusts is that they do not need to pass...
Are you worried about your parents' debt? It may not just be the fact that these debts are concerning now, while your parents are still alive. But if they have an excessive amount of credit card debt or something of this nature, you may be worried as one of their...
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...
Having an estate plan in place is definitely important, but so is keeping documents up to date. Many testators who have wills and other estate planning documents may take for granted the idea that they have adequate protection and the ability to access support if they...
Some people face an unexpected and sometimes painful dilemma after the death of a relative. They learn that their loved one left them an inheritance, but they listed them by a name they no longer use and have legally changed. Sometimes, this isn’t an issue. A person...
A will should reflect a person’s final wishes. The terms are not for anyone other than the testator to dictate. Unfortunately, disputes over a will can arise. In Washington state, a will can be challenged in court under specific circumstances. Here are some of the...
An estate plan allows people to manage their legacy and help ensure their assets are distributed to loved ones after a person passes away. However, an estate plan is not only used for the distribution of assets. People can also use an estate plan to manage their...
