When you die and you have a will, the executor of your estate named in the will oversees the probate administration of your estate. They step into your shoes and are responsible for making an inventory of the estate; paying...
When to Update Your Estate Plan
May 31, 2023
As the protagonist of a 1986 teen comedy film once said, “Life moves pretty fast.” This observation is particularly relevant in the estate planning context, as life’s ups and downs can cause established estate plans to...
Having a power of attorney arrangement in place is a smart move for a number of reasons. First, a power of attorney is one of the most flexible estate planning tools available. You may use it to empower your agent to make...
How to Spot Undue Influence
April 14, 2023
The purpose of estate planning is to ensure that a person’s wishes are carried out exactly as they would have intended in the event of their death or incapacitation. Estate planning can only serve that purpose, however, if...
Planning for Incapacity: A Legal Toolbox
March 31, 2023
Many people think (incorrectly) that estate planning and crisis planning only concern end-of-life decisions and what happens to your possessions when you die. In reality, they encompass much more than that. There are several...
Making gifts to one’s heirs is typically fairly straightforward. The grantor decides which of his or her heirs to make provisions for, figures out how much they should receive, and names said heirs in his or her estate...
What Is Memory Care, and What Are Its Benefits?
February 7, 2023
People living with memory dysfunction need specialized care. Although there is often an expense involved with getting care, the benefits make it...
Common Estate Planning Myths Debunked
January 31, 2023
Probate law and estate planning are complex concepts. While many people may think they understand how estate planning works, it is far more nuanced than most realize. Estate planning — similar to life insurance — is one...
Individuals who have power of attorney — known as “attorneys in fact” or “agents” — often wield an extraordinary amount of power over their principals. This can include both their bodies and their finances,...
The Rights of Accidentally Omitted Heirs
December 16, 2022
Life can change quickly. Changes such as marriages and births can result in estate plans becoming outdated and failing to take into account the presence (or absence) of certain heirs, including spouses and children. So what...