Congratulations on your new home! Whether you are officially a first-time homeowner or are leveling up (or scaling back) to a space that better fits your life, buying property is a massive milestone. While you are busy picking paint swatches and unboxing the kitchen, do not forget that a new deed often means a new financial landscape […]
Planning for the future, especially your own mortality, is never easy. Even when you understand the importance of creating a will or trust to protect your loved ones, finding the motivation to complete an estate plan can be difficult. Yet an unfinished estate plan is almost as risky as having no plan at all. Without finalized […]
Think back to how your life was seven years ago. Your family, your finances, your relationships, and even the accounts you use have probably changed in ways both obvious and subtle. Seven years does not feel like a long time until you start making the list. It can also change your perspective on your estate plan. […]
A pot trust, sometimes referred to as a common trust, is a way to hold money and property for a group of beneficiaries, usually children or other family members, in one shared trust. Instead of dividing everything into separate shares right away, the assets stay together in a single fund, allowing the trustee (the person in charge of […]
As a member of the growing unmarried single people population, you may find yourself wondering who will step in to make important decisions for you if you become unable to do so or who will receive your money and property after your death. Although parents, siblings, or other loved ones may be the first people who […]
For some people, the term family meeting may not bring to mind a pleasant gathering where everyone shares fond memories and warm feelings. When someone says, “We need to talk,” it often implies that something is wrong or that tough decisions need to be made or discussed. However, in estate planning, future problems are exactly what family […]
Losing a loved one is challenging enough without added complications. One way you can take some of the pain out of administering your estate is by having a plan and some organization. One way that people have been getting organized is by preparing a death box, also called a death binder, next-of-kin box, or legacy folder. […]
You have decided to meet with an estate planning attorney to get your documents in order and ensure that your loved ones are protected. Now that you have scheduled the appointment, it is time to get yourself organized for the first meeting. But what should you do when it comes to preparing to meet with your […]
