How to Avoid Probate: 7 Strategies That Work
Did you know that probate, despite its noble intent of orderly asset distribution, can potentially erode 5% or more of your estate’s value? Not an ideal parting gift for your loved ones, is it? It doesn’t have to be this way, though. The daunting prospect of probate can be circumvented. Yes, you heard it right! We […]
Common Property Title Issues and How a Lawyer Can Help
You may not have been aware of this, but sixty-six percent of Americans have no estate plan in place. This is a glaring problem, as many people feel that estate planning is an important thing to do. When you hire an estate planning lawyer, one of the first things they may suggest is to perform a title search […]
Around the Web: All About Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts
While it can be an uncomfortable process, planning ahead and creating your estate plan now can save you and your family money down the road. It also can help mitigate added stress on your family while they grieve your loss. This Tennessean article discusses a few ideas to consider while creating your plan, one […]
7 Major Benefits of Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney
67% of Americans do not have an estate plan in place, which can cause many problems for the loved ones they leave behind. After a loved one has passed, plenty of complications fall behind to the grieving family. From planning out the final resting arrangements to figuring out how to divide the assets that have been left […]
Estate Planning Guide: Getting Your Affairs in Order
67% of people don’t have estate plans. Trust us, you don’t want to be one of these people. When a person has no estate plan, the government will decide what happens to their money and belongings. What the government decides may or may not follow your wishes. And it could leave your family members without what […]
Your Questions About Supplemental Needs Trusts: Answered
Supplemental needs trusts are estate planning tools trustees use to pass down assets to children and relatives with special needs. They fall under the overarching category of special needs trusts (SNTs). The benefit of a supplemental needs trust is that the inheritance of the person with special needs will not impact their disability benefits. Most public disability benefits programs place […]
When’s The Right Time To Start Estate Planning
A recent survey showed that only 33% of US adults have an estate plan in place. Many people put this off believing that they are too young to have one or don’t have enough assets. The reality is that estate planning is something that everyone needs to consider. Even those who are in their 20s need to […]
Around the Web: Communicate your Estate Plan
For an estate plan to be successful, communication is key. Ultimately, failure to communicate and build trust within your family is a huge risk factor to the success of your wealth transfer. According to this J.P. Morgan article, many estate planning attorneys list “communicating the plan” as the final step in the process. The article […]
What Are the Benefits of a Durable Power of Attorney?
Did you know there are several types of power of attorney? Well, if that’s news to you, it may be surprising to learn that one of the most common types of POA is a durable power of attorney. But what does that mean exactly? A durable power of attorney is a legal document that gives […]
When to Have a Lawyer Look Over Your Business Contract
If you’re like most small business owners, you probably don’t have a lot of experience negotiating contracts. And that’s okay, most people don’t. Actually, the majority of people shy away from business contracts because they seem too complex. Therefore, it’s important to be careful when signing any agreement, no matter how minor it may seem. […]