Your Spring Cleaning Estate Planning Checklist
Spring is a great time for a fresh start, so as we begin the second quarter of 2021, let’s take the time to throw away unnecessary paper and clutter. Here’s some guidance on what to keep and what to throw away from an estate planning perspective. Contact us today to update your important documents. Estate Read More
How to Be a Mom and a Lawyer During the Pandemic
Original Article Published in GPSOLO, Volume 38, Number 2, March/April 2021 © 2021 by the American Bar Association Click HERE for Mobile Version
Four Reasons Your Will May Be Contested in Court
Having an updated last will and testament is more important than ever, especially now. A poorly drafted will or one that has not been updated frequently can be vulnerable to a will contest. What Is a Will Contest? A will contest is a form of estate litigation where the validity of the will is challenged. Read More
Don’t Risk it: Protect Your Finances From Coronavirus Complications
Many Americans spend a lot of time and effort in managing their finances. While most are worried about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) will impact their income—whether that’s because they are temporarily furloughed, find themselves suddenly without a job, or watching their investment and retirement accounts dwindle—there is another way COVID-19 can wreak havoc on American’s Read More
Medical Directives: The #1 Legal Document Every Adult Needs to Have
As the coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life and leave Americans uncertain of the future, you don’t have to feel helpless during this pandemic. In fact, now is a great time to be proactive and plan ahead should you or a loved one fall ill. One of the most important and relatively easy things you Read More
How Much Does Probate Really Cost?
Many people choose to use a revocable living trust as a mechanism to avoid probate. As I describe it, a revocable living trust is like a treasure chest because you can put your treasures in it while you are alive and still maintain complete control. The trust also avoids probate for heirs if it’s been Read More
The Real Cost of a DIY Plan
I have a lot of respect for Dave Ramsey, so I was surprised to see him endorsing Mama Bear, an online form will and trust document preparation service. These services do not provide legal advice. They state in the small print you consent to, repeatedly, that: “The information contained in the Site is general legal information and Read More
Wealth Transfer Strategies to Consider in an Election Year
With a push by the Democratic party to return federal estate taxes to their historic norms, taxpayers need to act now before Congress passes legislation that could adversely impact their estates. Currently, the federal estate and gift tax exemption is set at $11.58 million per taxpayer. Assets included in a decedent’s estate that exceed the Read More
Attention Gen-X and Millennials: estate planning is not just for “old” people. Even Young Adults Should Start Estate Planning.
Don’t think you need to worry about your estate plan because you’re “too young”? Too busy to worry about it because you’re getting ready for college or just starting your career? Without proper planning, your parents won’t be able to see your medical records if you’re in an accident and won’t be able to participate Read More