When you are ready to make a will, you should feel confident that it reflects your wishes and will be enforceable. Unfortunately, too many people think they have this type of will, but issues arise after their death, and loved ones wind up fighting each other or the...
Estate Planning
What are the different powers of attorney?
Authorizing someone to make decisionson your behalf if you become incapacitated or pass away is a crucial component of an estate plan. When you give someone these responsibilities, you can prevent confusion and conflicts during tumultuous times. When creating an...
Is it time to update your substitute decision-makers?
Giving someone the authority to make financial or personal decisions on your behalf is not a decision people make lightly. People typically want to feel confident that they appoint someone qualified, trustworthy and responsible. Once they name their substitute...
Creating an estate plan that reflects your values, beliefs
Estate planning can be incredibly valuable for financial purposes, from preserving assets to covering long-term care expenses. However, there is more to estate planning than money. An estate plan can also convey a person's beliefs and values. Things like final...
Young and single? You still need to think about estate planning
If you are young, healthy and unmarried, chances are one of the last things on your mind is estate planning. You might assume you have nothing to protect, or you might think that your parents will be able to make any decisions on your behalf if you become...
Who should I talk to about my wishes?
Your will and end-of-life care decisions are undoubtedly private. What you do in terms of your estate plan is up to you, and you should design a plan that reflects your wishes. That said, estate planning and probate do not happen in a vacuum. Other people can and will...
Should I have a letter of instruction with my estate plan?
When you start thinking about an estate plan, it is easy to get a little overwhelmed by all the options and tools available. Further, folks can worry that some of their wishes or thoughts get lost in the legal jargon. If you are in this position and you want to...
Testamentary capacity: What to know about this legal threshold
Cognitive function is an essential element when it comes to creating a legal document, whether a person is agreeing to get married or deciding how to distribute property after death. If someone's mental capabilities are in question, anything he or she signs could face...
Is it time to update your estate plan?
There are important things every adult should have, and that includes an estate plan. Those who take the time to complete planning for end-of-life or long-term care, asset distribution and decision-making authority are doing a valuable service to themselves and their...
What is an estate, and why does it need protecting?
On this blog, we often examine topics regarding people's estates. We explore estate planning strategies and explain estate administration tasks. However, without a solid understanding of what your estate is in the first place, you may not know what you have or why you...
