When you picture yourself in your 70s or 80s, you might imagine yourself attending birthday parties or graduations for your grandchildren while otherwise aging in place at your home. People want to enjoy good health throughout their golden years, but many people will...
Probate & Estate Planning
When should you update your estate plan?
An estate plan is an integral financial move, yet overwhelming. It can be hard to make plans for your assets or family when you are incapacitated or die. But it is necessary as it offers noteworthy benefits. Even after drafting one, you need to review your estate plan...
Do the majority of people have an estate plan?
It sometimes seems natural to assume that everyone else has a will or some type of estate plan in place. There are always some benefits to an estate plan. Even someone that doesn’t have that many assets may want to set up an advance directive for medical decisions,...
Alternatives to guardianship for elders with diminished capacity
If you have spent time researching elder guardianships, you have probably discovered that most people dislike them. Many believe guardianships can rob elders of autonomy, independence and self-determination. Although guardianships protect elders who have lost the...
Can a child from your parent’s past claim an inheritance?
Your father died before he got around to developing an estate plan. You weren’t that concerned about your inheritance because you knew that as his only child, you stood to inherit everything since he and your mother divorced years ago and she never remarried. Now...
Why you should have an estate plan
If you're like most people, you probably don't spend much time thinking about your death. But the truth is, everyone should have an estate plan in place. Why is an estate plan so important, and what should you include in yours? What is an estate plan? An estate plan...
Have you considered who will make your medical decisions?
Ideally, you will always be able to make your own medical decisions. It is your right to do so. However, the reality for a lot of people is that this becomes difficult or even impossible near the end of their life. If you suffer from something like a stroke or...
Reasons why writing your own will may be a bad idea
Creating an estate plan that works for you can be extremely beneficial. Not only will you have peace of mind that your final wishes will be honored, but your family will also be offered a sense of stability. A final will and testament typically plays a key role in a...
Considerations before disinheriting a family member
You haven’t spoken for years with one of your adult children. Maybe they made a series of bad decisions you couldn’t condone. Perhaps you just never got along, and they cut ties when they were old enough. The reasons for parent-child estrangement are endless. Before...
Three telltale signs you need to update your estate plan
Having an estate plan gives you peace of mind knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to protect your future, assets, and family. However, as time goes by and circumstances change, keeping your estate plan up to date is equally as important. If your estate...