Category Archives: Estate Planning
The Validity of Deathbed Wills
Individuals who believe they only have a short time to live might decide to create a new will before they pass away — colloquially referred to as a “deathbed will.” While this might not be the ideal situation for creating a thorough will, a document established in this manner can be just as valid as […]
The Pros and Cons of Pay on Death Designations
Pay on death (POD) designations are a common way for individuals to pass on account assets to their beneficiaries. These designations come with a variety of benefits, including: Avoiding the cost and hassle associated with probate: Perhaps the single-biggest reason people choose to use POD accounts is to avoid the probate process when assets are […]
Leaving Behind Assets to a Charitable Cause
When you plan your estate, you have the option to leave some assets behind to charitable causes, in addition to what you give your other beneficiaries. There are several strategies through which you can do this: Wills: If you have a will, you can make a bequest to the charity or cause of your choice. […]
How to Obtain Copies of a Certified Death Certificate
Just as a birth certificate proves one’s birth, a death certificate is the official evidence recording a person’s death. It typically includes information about the deceased, such as name, address, location and time of death, birth date and place, education, marital status, surviving spouse (if applicable) and information about the deceased’s parents. The executor of […]
Working Your Adult Children into Your Estate Planning
When you’re planning your estate, it can be easy to forget to factor in the relationships that exist within your family. It is unfortunately common to see arguments happen among siblings or family members after the passing of a loved one over the contents of an estate plan and how to proceed. Thus, it’s important […]
How to Make an Estate Executor’s Job Easier
When you decide who will be the executor of your estate, it’s important that you provide that person with as much information and as many resources as possible to make the job go as smoothly as possible. The following are some strategies you can use so that your executor can be better prepared to carry […]
What if You Want to Split Your Estate Unequally for Your Heirs?
It’s a common issue faced by many people planning out their estates — they have multiple children of varying income levels, and want to be more generous to the child who makes less money than the others. Is it at all fair or a good idea to unequally divide the estate? First, you are allowed […]
How Living Trusts are Terminated
The biggest benefit of a living trust is that you, as the creator of the trust, maintain control over all of its assets until you pass away. But what happens after that? How is the trust finally closed? Terminating a living trust is a rather simple process. Your chosen trustee does not have to sign […]
Making Things Easier on Your Loved Ones After Your Passing
One of the top benefits of comprehensive estate planning is that you can make matters significantly less complicated on your loved ones after you pass away. Beyond simple creating an estate plan, however, there are a number of other steps you can take to ensure the process of administering your estate goes as smoothly as […]
Estate Planning Considerations for Snowbirds
Florida is a part-time home to a great many “snowbirds,” the term referring to retired people who “flock” from the northern United States on a seasonal basis to get away from harsh, snowy winters. There are a variety of benefits of being a snowbird beyond just better weather — for example, one could save a […]