Frequently, we see television ads and hear talk of online “will kits” or software to produce estate planning documents. These kits are popular because they’re cheap. However, you risk subjecting your survivors to a bundle in legal fees to fix what are often useless documents. Companies like LegalZoom offer all kinds of documents, from creating… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Estate Planning
What To Do When You Want To Disinherit An Adult Child.
Most of our clients would never fathom themselves purposely disinheriting one of their children. However, sometimes, a parent decides to leave one child assets and another one absolutely nothing out of a loving intention. When advising parents on this issue it, we find it’s worth bringing up to them that any child discovering that he… Read More »
Do You Love your Pets more than your Kids?
Have you made plans for what happens to your “furry children” if you die or become incapacitated? Or are you just assuming someone will step in and give your animals the same level of care and attention that you do? Our clients love their pets! But sometimes they forget to do planning for their animals…. Read More »
Do Senior-Age Clients Need Prenuptial Agreements?
We’ve seen this scenario – or a similar one – many times at our law firm. A widower who lost his wife of 50 years gets remarried to a widow who lost her husband of 45 years. They attend the same church, share the same values and, in some cases, have the same circle of… Read More »
Soap Star’s Handwritten Will Challenged, Family Divided in Grief
Longtime daytime drama star Kristoff St. John passed away on Feb. 3. St. John played Neil Winters for nearly 30 years on CBS Television’s The Young and the Restless. The 52-year-old actor’s estate planning efforts are coming apart at the seams, according to several reports. Lawsuits and counter suits. Creditor claims, ex-spouses, and family disagreements…. Read More »
Avoid Confusion in a Crisis with Proper Planning
You might be doing everything you can do to help your aging parents. Often these decisions fall to one child, while other siblings are out of the loop for reasons of distance or other responsibilities. In some families you try to work by consensus, and at the same time, respect your parents’ wishes. This can… Read More »
Divorce Means Separating Estate Plans
During the dissolution of a marriage, it’s easy for our clients to become overwhelmed with all the changes that are happening. They become focused on the immediate problem of dividing financial or property assets and forget about estate and retirement plans that were made in the event of a debilitating illness or death. It’s our… Read More »
Estate Planning Tips for Blended Families
Blended families bring an extra challenge to estate planning. Divorce and remarriage are common occurrences, and often heirs are concerned that they may be forgotten. Here are some tips which may help you resolve some financial concerns in blended families. Consider a prenuptial agreement A prenuptial agreement with a new spouse can protect your goals… Read More »
What If Nobody Wants Your Stuff?
Are you a baby boomer who’s part of the generation of “super collectors”? Have you accumulated fancy dinnerware, furnishings, and decorative objects representing decades of style trends? The number of “family treasures” a person can collect over several decades can be overwhelming! Outside of items you purchased, have you held onto gifts from weddings, birthdays,… Read More »
Don’t Put Off Updating Your Estate Documents
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again; and again; and Again! When you put off updating your estate plan, you’re playing a very dangerous game. This sort of procrastination is downright reckless, and often results in a your loved ones facing additional stress, financial loss, and hurt feelings. The Wall Street Journal recently… Read More »