Divorce has a way of outdating even the best of estate planning documents. In fact, Kaitlin Pitsker observes in Kiplinger.com, outdated documents, beneficiary blunders and other estate-planning mistakes can tie your assets up in court for years, allowing taxes and...
Does Your Estate Plan Cover a Pandemic?
On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) gave name to the disease-causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. The coronavirus disease 2019 shortly after became known by its abbreviation, CO for corona, VI for virus, D for disease, and 19 for the year...
Larry King’s Estate Plan Calls Attention to the Importance of Wills
Larry King’s holographic will serves as a reminder of the importance of periodically reviewing one’s estate plan, adapting to changed circumstances..
What is the Probate Process?
Probate is the legal process for authenticating a deceased person's will, reviewing their assets, paying their outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to their inheritors. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint a valid will's executor to...
Earlybird Charitable and Estate Planning in 2021
The new administration has proposed many changes to income tax and transfer taxes. Clients whould consider implementing certain strategies now, before those changes take effect.
Seven Bad Reasons to Put Off Estate Planning
1. My family and I don’t own much. Can’t we put off planning until we can afford it? You shouldn’t. It is crucial to give legal authority to a person of your choice, to care for your children if anything should happen to you. You don’t want your children to become...
The COVID-19 Vaccine – What Guardians Need to Know
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the importance of having healthcare power of attorney documents in place. What are the responsibilities of the guardians or healthcare representatives when it comes to decisions about the vaccine?
Do-It-Yourself Estate Plan Documents: Think Twice
We hear this question all the time: “Can’t I just grab a will off the internet, do a transfer-on-death deed for my land, put my kids on my bank account, and be done with my estate plan?” It’s just not a good idea. For the plan to work as you would want it to, it...
