There are many reasons that people feel comfortable procrastinating about estate planning. Sometimes, they simply feel confident that their loved ones already understand their wishes. Other times, they assume that they have many years of health ahead of them before...
Making the effort to establish an estate plan is a smart decision. People who draft wills or fund trusts can help ensure that their assets pass to specific beneficiaries in accordance with their wishes. The focus during the estate planning process is often on major...
Estate planning is about leaving a positive legacy. It also requires careful consideration of the needs of dependent family members. Testators drafting or updating their estate plans may need to designate people to hold positions of authority, clarify who inherits...
The process of high-asset estate planning often conjures images of complex trusts, tax shelters and sophisticated financial instruments designed to preserve wealth across generations. Yet, in today's environmentally conscious world, wealthy individuals and families in...
Every testator establishing an estate plan has different needs and goals. Many people want to leave as much property as possible for their spouses and children. Those who have the blessing of grandchildren may want to provide support for that future generation of...
Guardianship is a legal arrangement in which one adult takes responsibility for another. A legal guardian has authority over the ward in their care. They can make decisions about that person's daily life and their medical treatment. A conservator, on the other hand,...
Most adults are responsible for their own actions and finances. They have to do whatever is necessary to meet their own needs and fulfill their personal obligations. Occasionally, people who are technically legal adults are in a position where they struggle to meet...
People tend to address the most pressing issues when they establish an estate plan. They have to plainly state who they want to receive assets from their estate and what resources they should inherit. They create plans to address their medical vulnerability as they...
When people think about estate planning, they often focus on physical assets like homes, bank accounts and retirement funds. However, it is increasingly likely that a person’s online presence and digital assets are potentially as consequential as their physical...
Some estate planning documents, such as wills, only have legal authority after the testator who drafted them dies. Other documents serve to provide legal protection for those facing medical challenges or incapacitation. An advance medical directive takes effect while...
