Category Archives: Estate Planning
Why It’s So Important to Make a Will if You Have Children
You’ve likely heard that writing a will is important, but it becomes especially so when you have children. If you pass away without a will and have children, you will not have any control over who takes custody or guardianship of your kids. Below are just some of the reasons you need to prioritize creating […]
Estate Planning Tips for Unmarried Partners
It is increasingly common for two people to be in a long-term relationship, but not be officially married. This means they do not have a marriage or civil union certificate. If you are in this situation, it is important to arrange your estate plan in such a way that accounts for your partner. Without a […]
How to Determine if Someone Has Testamentary Capacity
Testamentary capacity refers to the legal ability of a person to make a valid will. A person who creates a will must be “of sound mind ” for the document to be legally binding. In situations in which someone challenges a will, one reason is that the challenger believes the testator (the person who created […]
Will the New Tax Law Affect Your Estate Plan?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law in December 2017, has wide-ranging effects on how people both prepare their taxes and engage in estate planning. The changes to the law have led to many questions on the part of those who are trying to plan for the years ahead. Below is a brief […]
How to Prepare for Your First Meeting with an Estate Planning Lawyer
You’ve finally committed yourself to establishing an estate plan and have set up a meeting with an attorney. Great! But how do you prepare for that first meeting and what information should you bring with you? Below is a brief overview of what you should do to prepare so that your meeting goes as smoothly […]
Transferring Stocks Into Your Trusts
If you desire, you do have the option of transferring stocks and other securities into your trust. It is important, however, that you follow all state and federal laws, along with all requirements put forth by the issuer of the stock. It is highly recommended you work with an attorney during this process. To move […]
What Happens to Digital Assets and Accounts After Your Death?
The ubiquity of the internet and internet-connected devices has led to many people living a good portion of their lives online through various social media platforms, message boards and other types of accounts. These accounts and profiles are legally considered assets of the person who owns and controls them. But what happens to these digital […]
What Happens to Bank Account Funds After You Die?
No matter how well you plan for the future, it is a near certainty that there will be money left in your bank account(s) after you pass away. What happens to those funds? This primarily depends on the type of account you had and how it was owned. Solely owned account If you were the […]
6 Basic Tips for Estate Planning Success
Are you new to the concept of estate planning? You may have a lot of questions about what the process entails and what the best strategies are for you to be successful. Below are a few very basic tips we like to give to estate planning beginners who have just started working with our attorneys: […]
How to Deal With Stepchildren in Your Will
You can leave behind assets to stepchildren just as you would anyone else, by naming the assets you want them to receive in your will. However, stepchildren do not have any legal right to an inheritance unless you legally adopt them. Therefore, if you do not wish to leave any assets to your stepchildren, you […]