Category Archives: Estate Planning
Seven Bad Reasons for Delaying Estate Planning
Too many people in this country mistakenly believe that estate planning is only for the wealthy. In reality, an estate plan is an important financial document that everyone should have, no matter how many assets they currently own. Below are 7 common scenarios that lead people to think that estate planning is unnecessary for… Read More »
Buyer Beware: How to Avoid Estate Planning Scams
Imagine spending thousands of dollars on an estate plan to protect loved ones, only to find that no true protection exists. Unfortunately, this scenario happens on a regular basis to individuals who are victims of estate planning schemes. According to a report conducted by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of people ages 50… Read More »
All in the Family: Making Sense of Per Stirpes, By Representation, and Per Capita Distributions
“That’s not fair!” In many households, this is the common refrain of children as they advocate for themselves or express what they feel to be unjust. This pursuit of fairness, however, is not limited to arguments between parents and young children. The notion of fairness often pervades family dynamics and may continue even beyond… Read More »
Serving as a Fiduciary: What You Need to Know
You may be asked to be power of attorney for a family member or friend. Your family member or friend may be planning for when they might become unable to take care of their affairs. For example, they might become disabled or incapacitated, and they would need a trusted person to step in and… Read More »
Coming of Age and Powers of Attorney
When your child turns 18 (in most states), it might be hard to imagine that the little child who once needed you for everything has now become – overnight – an adult. Now your child is free to vote, marry, apply for a credit card, make medical and financial decisions, sign contracts, and live… Read More »
What Happens If My Beneficiary Dies Before Me?
When planning for death, most people assume they will die before their beneficiaries (e.g., their spouse, children, and grandchildren). While these assumptions are often well-founded, they do not always come to pass. This may have you wondering, “so what happens if my beneficiary dies before me”? Or, if this has already happened to you,… Read More »
Estate Planning After a Personal Injury Settlement
In the hectic and sometimes dangerous world that we live in, it is an unfortunate fact of life that accidents happen and people get hurt. The U.S. legal system is designed so that those who suffer injury through the avoidable fault of others can seek compensation for those injuries. Sometimes injuries are so severe… Read More »
Disaster Preparedness Month: How to Prepare for Whatever May Come Your Way
The unpredictable can occur at any time: fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, pandemics—you name it. Because September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, we want you to be prepared for whatever life throws at you. Although none of us can predict the future, there are some things you can do to ensure that you and your… Read More »
7 Ways to Avoid Family Fights Over Property
Ask a group of friends if they have experienced family fights over property after a loved one has died, and you will be in for a lively and eye-opening conversation. Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance. But it does not have to be that… Read More »
Designating Beneficiaries: 8 Pitfalls You May Not Know About
You might think that leaving your property to your heirs would be simple enough. You make a will or a trust, you do a transfer-on-death deed for your real estate, you put your kids on your bank account, you designate beneficiaries for your life insurance and retirement accounts, and you’re done. If only things… Read More »
