Tag Archives: estate planning
Are Handwritten Intentions Enforceable? Princess Diana Thought So…
Princess Diana of Wales was one of the world’s most loved celebrities – and one of the richest. Her tragic death in 1997 was world news. The majority of her estate, reportedly worth $40 million at the time of her death, was divided between Prince William and Prince Harry in her estate plan. However,… Read More »
Why Factoring Long-Term Care into Your Estate Plan Pays Off
For most people, thinking about estate planning means focusing on what will happen to their money after they pass away. But that misses one pretty significant consideration: the need to plan for long-term care. The last thing any of us want to contend with when a health issue arises later in life is having… Read More »
‘Till Death Do Us Part, Too: Estate Planning Tips for Commitment Without Marriage
Advice columnist Ann Landers once observed that “love is friendship that has caught fire.” If that’s true, there are thousands of ways for that blaze to unfold. For many Americans, such devotion and passion do not need to be neatly formalized as marriage. In fact, our cultural norms are shifting, and quickly. Consider… Read More »
Do It Now: Why Naming a Guardian for Your Child Can’t Wait
We know it’s hard. Thinking about someone else raising our children stops us all in our tracks. It feels crushing and too horrific to consider; but you must. If you put off naming a guardian for your child, it’s possible that a stranger will end up determining who raises your child if something happens to… Read More »
Impacts of the Trump Presidency on Estate Planning: Your Quick Guide
Estate Planning Under Trump It’s official — at 12:00 p.m. on January 20th, 2017, Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America, in essence completing the 2016 presidential election cycle. With that bit of uncertainty behind us and a fresh administration starts out, here’s what you need… Read More »
3 Tips for the Overwhelmed Personal Representative
While it is an honor to be named as personal representative (executor) of a will or estate, it can also be a sobering and daunting responsibility. Being a personal representative requires a high level of organization, foresight, and attention to detail to meet all responsibilities and ensure that all beneficiaries receive the assets to… Read More »
Even Vampires Need Estate Planning
Yes, even the undead need an estate plan. After you stop laughing you need to hear me out. As we’ve learned from the likes of The Vampire Chronicles, the Twilight saga, and HBO’s True Blood, vampires aren’t immortal. They do die, and it’s usually unexpected and messy. While vampires aren’t good candidates for life… Read More »
Wills for New Parents: What You Need to Know
As a new parent, you naturally want to guarantee your new baby’s future in every way. For many new parents, infancy is a time for celebrating new life, and making a will is the last thing on their minds. For others, the process of bringing new life into the world sparks intense feelings of… Read More »
Is a Payable on Death Account Right for You and Your Family?
Payable on death accounts, or “POD accounts” for short, have become popular for avoiding probate in the last decade or so. What is a Payable on Death Account? A POD account is a type of bank account authorized by state law which allows the account owner to designate one or more beneficiaries to receive… Read More »
Intestacy: If You Die Without a Will in Maryland, Does Your Spouse Inherit Your Entire Estate?
If you are married and you die without a will in Maryland, you may mistakenly believe that your spouse will still inherit your entire estate. Not so fast. Who will inherit your estate depends on several different factors. 3 Factors that Determine What Happens to Your Estate if You Die Without a Will… Read More »
