Estate Essentials: What Do I Include in My Explanatory Letter?

When most people think of a will, likely the first thing that comes to mind is a set of instructions or wishes about how one’s assets should be distributed after their death. While this is certainly an integral part of any will and therefore, estate Read More …

What Happens to My Pets When I Die?

Although a reality in the popular Disney film the Aristocrats, where a wealthy woman leaves her entire estate to her cats, by law, pets can neither inherit nor own property. Legally speaking, pets in fact themselves are considered property, and just as you draft an Read More …

What A Will Will NOT Do

Without a doubt, a will is an important component of any estate plan. It’s primary use is for the testator to express their wishes as to how their assets will be distributed to their loved ones after death as well as name an executor to Read More …

Estate Essentials: Are There Risks in Estate Planning?

Most people know that estate planning is the most effective way to transfer you assets to loved ones after you pass. There are many things at stake, including your loved ones financial security or even familial peace regarding the distribution of your assets, which makes Read More …

5 Questions An Attorney Will Ask When Drafting A Will

The process of planning a will is a cause of stress for many people, however it does not have to be. If you come prepared to meet with your attorney with some prior knowledge of what they may ask you, the process can go much Read More …

What You Should Know About Taxes in Estate Planning

Just as they do during life, taxes affect you even after death. When drafting your estate plan, you should know how taxes will affect your assets once they are passed down. Having a properly structured estate plan will ensure a peaceful transfer of assets and Read More …

The Benefits Of Non-Probate Transfers

Probate, a dirty word in estate planning, is the process where a court determines the legitimacy of your will and then decides how to properly distribute your assets based on that determination. This process can last from six months up to a year or even Read More …

Forgot to Place A Property In Your Trust? – When A Pour-Over Will Can Come in Handy

The Use Of A Pour-Over Will One of the most important things you can do to ensure a peaceful transfer of assets after your passing is to draft a proper estate plan. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for grantors of a trust to not always Read More …

Remarried? Here’s How to Avoid Accidentally Disinheriting Your Kids

If you are remarried and hope to have your kids inherit assets from a previous marriage, it is crucial not to overlook the importance of estate planning, and especially not to leave it to the last minute. Parents who plan on getting remarried are often Read More …