Creating, Maintaining and Updating Your Estate Plan
What is a Last Will and Testament?
A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that's the first building block to your estate plan. After determining your need for an estate plan, your attorney will recommend either a will-based plan or a trust-based plan. Your Last Will and Testament will take on significantly different roles depending upon the type of plan that has been recommended.
Disinheriting a Child or Relative - A Serious Decision With Serious...
While in all but one of the U.S. states you are free to disinherit your children and other relatives (but not your spouse), actually doing it should not be taken lightly or decided on a whim. Here you will find a list of four things to consider before disinheriting a child or other relative.
Wills vs. Revocable Living Trusts - What Do You Need?
A question that I'm often asked as an estate planning attorney is "How do I know if I need a trust instead of a will?" Many people assume that revocable living trusts are just for the very wealthy, but the benefits that they can offer to the average person are significant. Here are some factors to consider.
What's the Difference Between Per Stirpes & Per Capita Distributions?
When it comes to estate planning terms, two that you'll need to be familiar with are “per stirpes” and “per capita.” These are Latin terms that are commonly used in Last Will and Testaments and Revocable Living Trusts to describe how your property is to be left to your beneficiaries.
Will Your Estate Plan Work When It's Needed?
One glaring problem that I see time and time again in my estate planning practice is that in reality most estate plans simply don’t work. Find out the basic components of a practical and common sense estate plan that will really work for you and your family.
Will Your Old Plan Still Work Today? - Checklist of Twelve Mistakes
Each time that I sit down with a new client who already has an estate plan, the first thing that I do is a thorough review of their current estate planning documents. From years of experience in doing these reviews, I've developed a list of common problems that I see time and time again, and here it is - the checklist of the twelve things that I look for when reviewing an existing estate plan.
Who Should You Tell About Your Estate Plan?
One of the most common questions that I'm asked as an estate planning attorney is, "Who should I tell about my estate plan?" As with most of estate planning, the answer isn't a simple one.
Where Should You Keep Your Estate Planning Documents?
Another frequent question that I'm asked as an estate planning attorney is, "Where should I keep my original estate planning documents?" The answer is really simple - in a safe and accessible place. But what does that mean?
How Often Should You Review Your Estate Plan?
Once you have your foundational estate plan up and running and your assets funded into your Revocable Living, your estate planning shouldn't stop there. Day in and day out things will happen that will affect your estate plan. Here are some things to consider that may warrant a review of your estate plan.
Estate Planning as if Your Life Depends on It
When I started out as an estate planning attorney nearly 14 years ago, estate planning was viewed as a one time transaction. The clients were simply sent on their way with their ideal plan at that particular point in their lives and then proceeded to stick the plan in a drawer and forget about it until it was needed. Today, that view has...
How to Make Your Funeral Wishes Known to Your Loved Ones
When a loved one dies without discussing or writing down their funeral wishes, family members are left scrambling to make burial and memorial arrangements during an extremely difficult time. Help your loved ones fulfill your final wishes by following these simple steps.
How to Keep Your Estate Plan Private
Who you want to inherit your estate and who you want to put in charge of settling your final affairs should be private and personal matters, not something for the whole world to know. Learn how to keep your estate plan private and away from the public's prying eyes.
A Quick Guide to Florida Homestead Laws
Florida has some quirky laws when it comes to your primary residence, which is referred to as your "homestead." Read on for a quick overview of these laws and how they can affect you and your family.