Estate planning is a necessity that, for one reason or another, people tend to put off. They don't do it, even though they know they should. Don't get caught up in this common trap.Why does it happen? The reasons are different for everyone, but studies show that most...
If you haven't considered using a trust as part of your estate plan, why not?While most people know that they need a will (even if they don't have one), few people realize just how useful a trust can be for their goals -- especially if they want to protect their...
New Year's Day 2020 is right around the corner, which means that it's time to update your estate plan. Regularly updating your estate plan should become a habit. While you should always make updates after important asset or family changes right away, an annual review...
Do you think you should have a will? Have you not gotten around to writing one yet?If you answered yes to both of those questions, you're in good company. Researchers have determined that most people in the United States do think that estate planning is important, and...
If you're like most people, you have a lifetime's worth of personal and family mementos in your home. Unless you have a specific plan for these most precious of items, however, your executor may be at a loss when it comes to handling them.Here's what you need to...
Trusts are a very common estate planning choice for those who have significant assets. This is true for several reasons, but most notably, it is because holding assets within a trust enables the assets to skip the probate process at the end of the estate planner's...
Making a will and planning your estate effectively takes time and effort. Many people avoid engaging in the practice of planning their estate because they do not want to spend too much time thinking about the inevitability of death. The prospect of death is a morbid...
Many people love the companionship of their pets -- especially in their golden years. However, there's always a chance that you will outlive your pet. If that happens, the people in your life may be unwilling or unable to care for the animal -- even if they agreed to...
Most people know that they need to do estate planning at some point, but they may simply put it off because they're not exactly sure when to begin. How soon will they need that plan? When do they want to get everything in order?Now, the short answer here is that you...
If you're entering your senior years, you've probably put some thought into whom you'd like to inherit your personal items and assets. For better or worse, some of your potential heirs may have also put some thought into the same thing.In some cases, an heir may...
