You put a lot of thought into choosing the person who would be your child’s legal guardian should anything happen to both you and your spouse. In fact, your child’s birth is what incentivized you to begin your estate planning. It’s been a few years (or maybe longer)...
Estate Planning
Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts: which one should you set up?
If you have worked hard your entire life and amassed a considerable amount of wealth, you certainly want to pass something down to the people and causes you care about upon your death. And while there are many ways of passing down wealth to the next generation (like...
Why is it so important to choose a trustee carefully?
A trust is one of the most important estate planning tools. With a valid trust in place, the grantor can avoid some estate taxes and bypass a costly, public and time-consuming probate while ensuring that their assets pass down to the people they care about when they...
2 reasons people add powers of attorney to their estate plans
The contents of a basic estate plan focus on what will happen to someone's property when they die. Someone can leave instructions for their assets and the care of their loved ones with a simple will and no other paperwork. However, quite a few adults add additional...
3 times when you should make an estate plan
An estate plan, as you know, is the legal documentation and itemization of your assets and last wishes. Included in your estate plan are several key documents and decisions you’ll make while alive to help benefit your family and loved ones. However, this may be your...
2 types of trusts you should know about
Setting up a plan for what will happen to your assets when you pass away is important. One of the options you have for doing this is to set up trusts that pass specific assets to your heirs. As you’re going through the different types of trusts, you’ll notice that...
Revising your estate plan as you remarry
If you’re remarrying after divorce or the death of a spouse, your estate plan may not be top of mind. There are far more pleasant things to think about. However, it’s important to review it at the very least because you’ll likely want to make some changes –...
How often should you review and update your estate plan?
Life never stops changing. Whether you have an unexpected baby later in life or you get divorced after decades of marriage, you never know what will happen next. No amount of planning or preparation can minimize the influence of chaotic outside forces on your lived...
Wills versus trusts: Knowing your estate planning options
When people go to plan their estate, they may be given the option to write a will or use a trust. Wills and trusts, while they may seemingly act the same, have very distinct differences that make each unique for their purposes. You shouldn’t have to be on the fence...
Where should you keep your will?
Creating an estate plan, or just a will, is the responsible thing to do. After all, this document will ensure your family and beneficiaries know how you want your assets dispersed after you pass. However, what’s the point of creating a will if no one can find it after...