Category Archives: Estate Planning
Understanding the Connection Between Life Insurance and Estate Planning
A common misconception people have about life insurance and estate planning is that they only need to designate their spouse, child, or loved one as the beneficiary of the life insurance policy to ensure that the benefits will be available to the beneficiary when they die. Life insurance is an important financial and estate… Read More »
What Is HEMS and Why Is It Included in So Many Trusts?
In the world of estate planning, you may come across the acronym HEMS from time to time. HEMS stands for “health, education, maintenance, or support” and is frequently included in trust agreements to guide a trustee on the types of distributions they may make to a trust beneficiary. When a trustee is limited to… Read More »
Mental Health Considerations in Estate Planning
It is okay to not be okay. Removing the stigma of mental health starts with realizing that many people—about one in five of all US adults–are affected by mental illness. Understanding this fact can lead to more people getting the help they require, not only by seeking guidance from a mental health expert, but… Read More »
Trust Funding: Is Everything Titled Correctly?
Working with an attorney to draft a trust agreement for estate planning purposes is an important step. But just getting the document drafted and signed is not enough. For any trust to be effective, you must complete the process of funding your trust as soon as you can. But what exactly is trust funding?… Read More »
Do I Need an Estate Plan?
In 2008, Congress recognized the need for the public to understand the importance and benefits of estate planning by passing House Resolution 1499, which designated the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Nevertheless, according to a 2021 survey conducted by Caring.com, only 33 percent of adults in the United States… Read More »
How Does the Court Handle Estate Administration?
Probate is the method by which judicial officials, including probate judges, process a decedent’s will. While state probate laws may vary, the general process of estate administration is quite similar across the country. Probate is the process of proving wills for decedents. A probate judge will also oversee cases where the deceased person did… Read More »
The Underestimated Importance of Estate Planning for Single People
As a single individual, you may feel overwhelmed when you think about who will step in and make decisions for you if you cannot make decisions for yourself and who will receive your money and property when you die. You may consider your parents or siblings, but depending on whether they are living and… Read More »
Is Our Home Community Property or Separate Property, and Why Does It Matter?
When two people get married, the property they obtain during their marriage is called marital property. This includes anything from real property like homes and rental properties, to stock options, investment accounts, heirlooms, and employment income. A common assumption is that spouses want to share their property with each other. This assumption is not… Read More »
Britney Spears: A Cautionary Tale about Conservatorship
Even if you do not listen to pop music, it has been hard to ignore the recent news about Britney Spears, her controversial conservatorship, and the #FreeBritney movement trending on social media. What is this movement all about? And why should average Americans care? In 2008, pop singer and superstar performer Britney Spears had… Read More »
Estate Planning Considerations for the Family Vacation Home
Many families enjoy spending time in their family vacation home. Sharing time and creating memories is the hallmark of such properties, and often there is a desire to preserve the home’s ownership within the family system for generations to come. Yet, even seemingly harmonious families can experience discord and exasperation when parents are no… Read More »
