Avoid These Inheritance Mistakes
Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be emotionally draining. Receiving an inheritance and dealing with the death of a loved one brings mixed emotions. The loss of a loved one is sad but the influx of funds can…
Trusts: What Are Their Benefits?
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…
The Importance of Passing on Family Values
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…
Special Needs Individuals Have Legal Options
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…
The Process of Contesting a Will
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,…
Probate: How to Determine If You Need It
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…
A Guide to Managing Wealth and Irrevocable Trusts
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…
The Development of a Legal Plan For Alzheimer’s Disease
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…
Getting the Most Out of VA Benefits and Planning for Long-Term Care
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…
Partnering With Your Spouse or Partner to Plan Your Estate
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…