During probate, a will is recognized, a personal representative (executor) is named and assets are distributed to beneficiaries based on the terms of the will. It also requires paying the decedent’s outstanding debts and federal and state taxes. Each state…
Family values and assets can be difficult to address and legally formalize, especially if parents wait too long to begin instilling them. Undoubtedly the best time to teach and empower your children as eventual inheritors of your family legacy is…
Disability and special needs individuals are supported and empowered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). More options for individuals and families who support them to live as independently as possible are available. Multiple options are available to create and…
An estate will details who will receive a deceased person's property and which person (called the executor) will be responsible for settling the estate after death. For many reasons, beneficiaries can feel slighted by what they did or didn’t receive,…
Even though probate sounds expensive and complicated, it is a standard legal procedure that describes how estate assets pass from one family member to another. Whether or not you require probate depends on the type of property and how you…
Due to an anticipated decrease in the federal estate tax exemption allowance, it may be time to rethink how you plan to pass generational wealth to your heirs. Senate Democrats are proposing to lower the current estate tax exemption from…
Alzheimer's disease affects more than 5 million Americans, and there is no cure. Projections by the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) are that by 2050 more than 14 million Americans will suffer from this disease. What can you do if you are…
How does Veteran's Department of Veterans Affairs benefits cover the cost of long-term care? The answer is, as with most governmental things, complicated. A much-underused pension benefit known as Aid and Attendance can provide some money to cover costs for…
An estate plan that is comprehensive requires careful thought and discussion with your spouse. Before meeting with an estate planning attorney, it is best to discuss your ideas to present a united goal. This conversation can be challenging if you…
When you go through big life changes like births, marriages, divorces, and moving to a new state, you should review your estate planning documents periodically. Children grow up, marriages dissolve, property gets sold, and residences change. That’s why we recommend…