A foster child may enter your life through the court system, an agency, or your extended family. No matter how it starts, the relationship can become deeply personal, with a strong feeling the child is yours. However, the law does not always see the relationship this way for inheritance purposes. If you die without estate […]
By and large, estate plans are typically private matters that not something everyone in your life needs to know in detail. The decisions about whom to trust with decision-making power and how you plan to distribute your wealth is your business. For married couples, they will naturally know the details of plans they created together. […]
Estate planning often feels complex, leading many people to rely on common misconceptions that can have devastating consequences for their loved ones and their legacy. From who can make decisions for you to whether you need an estate plan, common myths can stand between you and a secure future. Let’s debunk these widespread misconceptions and […]
Yes, everyone needs an estate plan, regardless of whether that plan is centered around a will or a trust. These important tools ensure that your legacy will be carried out according to your wishes. They will allow you to provide for loved ones after your passing. A properly prepared trust can also help avoid probate, […]
After a loved one dies, their money and property that goes through probate must be distributed to the people legally entitled to it, either according to a last will and testament (also called a will) or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its intestacy statute). While most people want the settlement process done as […]
We tend to think of death as a private affair, something that is only for the family to address. It can be easy to forget that some parts of our deaths are actually quite public, to anyone and everyone. Most people think of probate (the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a deceased person’s money and […]
A revocable living trust can serve as a valuable estate planning tool to help ensure that your finances remain well managed if you become incapacitated (unable to manage your affairs while you are alive) and to provide future financial security for your loved ones upon your passing. However, merely signing the trust agreement does not […]
Ask any estate planning attorney and many will admit a main goal of clients it to avoid probate. Even in states where the process is quicker and easier, probate tends to remain something of a boogeyman. Today, many people use tools such as revocable living trust instead of a will, joint ownership, or beneficiary designation as […]
You have just received your orders, and you will be deployed shortly. No matter how soon you are leaving, there is still time to ensure that your affairs are in order. Review or Prepare a Family Care Plan. Regardless of the branch of the military in which you are serving, you may be required to […]
Beginning January 1st, 2026, the federal estate tax exemption will rise to $15 million per individual and $30 million for couples filing jointly due to the enactment of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” under the Trump Administration. This marks a change that individuals should be aware of as the current estate tax exemption is […]
