Blog
Do I Need a Will if I Have a Trust?
Many people use revocable trusts, often called “Family Trust” or “Living Trust,” for their estate planning. These are terrific tools and work very well for most people. However, a will is still necessary to guarantee all of your estate is distributed according to your precise wishes. A trust can do many things that a will…
How Can a Will Protect My Personal Effects?
On our blog, we have discussed the benefits of having a will and the requirements to create a valid will. We have also written about a few considerations you should weigh when deciding whether to have a will. Each individual’s considerations will be different based on their family, friends, charitable interests, and estate, but over…
How Can a Will Protect My Minor Children?
If you are in the midst of estate planning, you may be wondering whether you need a will. Perhaps you already have a trust, or are thinking of a trust, and therefore are wondering if a will is redundant or unnecessary. You may have already titled your property in such a way where you think…
Have You Created a Special Needs Trust to Protect Your Loved Ones?
If you are a caretaker of a family member or friend with a disability, injury, or other special need, you may be wondering who will take care of this person when you are no longer able too. Families face this difficulty every day, worrying not only about who will provide care, but how it will…
Do You Want Your Estate Distributed According to Intestate Succession Laws?
When considering estate planning, you may have heard the phrase “intestate succession.” If so, you most likely have also heard that you should try and avoid it. It is important to understand what intestate succession is and how it works. If you die without a will, trust, or other estate planning directive, the law of…
Do You Understand What Will Happen to Your Estate During Probate?
When a person dies, the executor of his will initiates a probate proceeding. A probate proceeding is needed to ensure the deceased testator’s assets are distributed properly and in an orderly fashion. It can also protect the deceased’s estate, pay all debts and taxes owed by the testator, and resolve questions regarding who is entitled…
What are the Requirements for Creating a Will?
A will is a legal document created to distribute your estate after you die. The purpose of a will is to avoid messy court proceedings and to ensure that your assets, including real and personal property, are distributed according to your wishes. If you die without a will, you are said to have died “intestate,”…
What are the Requirements for Creating a Trust?
A trust is a legal entity you can create to hold assets and property for the benefit of another individual. The purpose of a trust is to protect, hold, and manage your private wealth for the benefit of your heirs. In order for the intended individual to receive the designated assets, the Trust must be…
Reasons to Have a Medical Directive and a Power of Attorney
It is important to understand the need for both a Medical Directive and a Power of Attorney. Both are needed to ensure medical decisions, property, and assets are handled properly. MEDICAL DIRECTIVE A Medical Directive (MD), sometimes called a Healthcare Directive, is a written document in which you authorize another person, your agent, to make…
What is a Power of Attorney?
Almost everyone has heard of a Power of Attorney (POA), but not everyone actually understands what a POA is, or why having one is important. A POA is a written document that allows you to legally assign another person to do specific acts for you. This can be especially important if you are getting older,…