Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How Can You Avoid The Probate Process Completely?
One big benefit of good estate planning is avoiding the time, cost, and intrusion on privacy that often comes from the probate process. But when is probate actually required? Transfers of Property As a general rule, any property that can and must pass on its own through operation of law, or which has already… Read More »
Timeshares, Your Estate Plan, And The Probate Courts
Timeshares can be an easy and somewhat affordable way to take vacations, especially if you particularly enjoy a specific location and going there over and over again. But what happens to a timeshare that you own, when you pass away? Who Wants Your Timeshare? Like any other property, the timeshare, or your interest in… Read More »
Estate Planning Issues For Same Sex Couples
If you are a same sex or LGBTQ couple, since 2015, and even currently with the passage of new federal laws, states cannot prohibit you from marrying, and your marriage carries the same legal force and effect as heterosexual couples. From an estate planning standpoint, that means that estate planning for LGBTQ couples is… Read More »
Estate Planning Problems And Solutions When Parents And Children Co-Own Property
In today’s real estate market, with prices getting higher and higher, many young people find that to get the credit they need for larger loans, they need to co-sign, and thus, co-own property with a parent. But when a parent and child both own property, there can be problems when it comes to estate… Read More »
Actor Chadwick Boseman’s Family Resolves Estate Dispute
We tend to assume that estate planning is something for older people. As a result, many younger people, even those with assets and means, can easily forget or ignore the importance of good estate planning. Such was the case with actor Chadwick Boseman, the star of many movies, including Marvel’s hit Black Panther. Beloved… Read More »
Could A Life Settlement Help You?
For many of us, life insurance is a valuable asset that will ensure that our loved ones have the financial means to continue should something happen to us. But insurance is always a risk—not just for the insurance company, but for us as well. After years of paying for a policy, there is no… Read More »
Making Smart Use Of Your Medicaid Trust
For many older people, or those who are facing that prospect, long term nursing care, or even moving to a long term care center, can create financial difficulties. Any type of long term care is extraordinarily expensive. What About Medicaid? Many seniors will have the benefit of relying on Medicaid, a government funded program… Read More »
The Pros And Cons Of Alternatives To Trusts
There are a number of benefits to using a trust as an estate planning tool. But like anything else, trusts have good points and bad points. The main positive point of a trust is avoiding probate, and allowing the property in the trust to transfer automatically, without court intervention (as well as the privacy… Read More »
Asset Protection When Leaving Property To Your Children
If you are leaving property to a child, there may be a lot of concerns over the assets that are being left, especially if there are concerns about the child or the child’s lifestyle. But making sure that your child has the money and uses it responsibly, is not your only issue. Another concern… Read More »
If You’re A Trustee, Don’t Forget These Vital Duties
If you are appointing a trustee, or you are someone who is appointed a trustee, you may already know that you have a lot of job responsibilities. Some are well known, and some are somewhat obvious. But other duties are less well known. Here are some things that you, as trustee, can easily overlook—but… Read More »