It’s a common misconception that only wealthy individuals, or those with children, need an estate plan. However, everyone has belongings, a car, some own their own home. If a person passes away and they do not have a will or estate plan, the probate courts will decide who gets their belongings. Simply put, everyone needs…Read More
Estate planning is not a topic that many people want to think about but it’s an important part of your life plan. An estate plan is the best thing you can have to be sure that your family is taken care of and that the people you leave behind know your wishes. People have many…Read More
The volatile markets, along with the Covid pandemic that we find ourselves in, reminds us that we should revisit estate planning for our family. While we cannot control events and circumstances, we can create and execute plans that help us to stand firm when adverse situations and uncertain times arise. If you do not have…Read More
The biggest question regarding estate planning is this: Do I really Need a Will? The short answer is yes, everyone should have a will. People who die without a will leave behind a lengthy probate process for their families. Probate without a will is an experience unlike any other. Wills are not just for the…Read More
It is estimated that more than half of U.S. families are remarried or re-coupled. If you are in this category you should take specific steps to protect your assets and your family. Most married couples leave their entire estate to their spouse when they die. The issue for blended families is that, long after you’re gone, your…Read More
Most of us have an idea in our minds of how we would want our estate to be distributed at the time of our death. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans do not have those thoughts down on paper in the form of a will. A will is only the starting point of a well-thought-out estate plan….Read More
Many people assume that a basic estate plan means having a will. In reality, there is so much more to a solid estate plan. In reality, a well-designed estate plan should be designed to help save on taxes, protect assets and help to avoid probate. A good plan should also appoint someone to act for you…Read More
Beneficiary designations are widely used in financial and estate planning. These designations are commonly used to name the individuals or entities who are to receive the proceeds of life insurance policies, annuities or retirement plans after the death of the owner. Through the use of beneficiary designations, many assets can be transferred after death without any…Read More
If you are in a second marriage or planning another trip down the aisle, then estate planning can get complicated very fast. You probably want to provide for your current spouse but not inadvertently benefit your former spouse. If you have children from either marriage, then juggling their interests can be a challenge. Take Inventory…Read More
Most people have the best of intentions when it comes to planning their estate. However, in the absence of proper planning, the best of intentions may not be enough. Here are six of the most common estate planning blunders people make: Failing to plan. The biggest mistake is not planning in the first place. A…Read More
