Recent Blog Posts
What Happens If You Inherit Mortgaged Property?
If a family member dies, and you inherit property, you may have a lot of questions, especially if the property has a mortgage on it. Alternatively, you may want to leave property to loved ones, knowing that property has a mortgage on it. How does this work, when property is passed on, but the… Read More »
Understanding Estate And Inheritance Taxes
They often say that nothing is certain, except death and taxes. But something else may also be certain, at least without estate planning: Paying taxes on your death, in the form of estate and inheritance taxes. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they in fact are quite different. The good news is that… Read More »
Contracts To Make A Will Are Usually A Bad Idea
Let’s say that you provide a service to someone, or provide something of value to them. In return, they promise to include you in their will, or leave you something in their will. Later, they pass, and you find that you have been left out of the will. Can you sue? This is called… Read More »
What Is A Conservatorship – And How Can You Avoid It?
It may be sad, but it is also often a fact of life: sometimes people get older, and ill, and sometimes either because of age or disability, they are unable to care for or manage their own affairs. They may need help managing their day to day affairs, particularly their financial affairs. When that… Read More »
Make Guardianship Decisions For Your Minor Children Now
When we talk about estate planning, we usually talk about money or assets, and that’s very important. But not all of estate planning is about money. It can also be a vital part of ensuring that your minor children are taken care of in the event of a catastrophe. When Parents Pass Away Regardless… Read More »
Creditor Claims On Your Estate In Probate
As a general rule, when you pass, your relatives don’t have to pay your debt, and they don’t automatically inherit your debt. Your collectors can’t start going after your relatives, just because you pass away (although they can, if your relatives have actually signed on loans with you). However, creditors can, indirectly go after… Read More »
Things You Should Not Put In Your Will
When it comes to drafting a will, many people are concerned that they put everything in the will that needs to be there. They don’t want to overlook anything, and that’s a good strategy. But an equally good strategy is the opposite–making sure there’s nothing in your will that shouldn’t be there. Yes, being… Read More »
What Can An Advance Health Care Directive Do For You?
Estate planning isn’t just about who will get your things when you pass away, or when you are incapacitated. It is also about your medical decisions, and who will make them for you, if you cannot make those decisions yourself. That’s why including health care directives in your estate plan are so important. Appointing… Read More »
Estate Planning Checklist After A Divorce
If you are going through a divorce, you probably think a lot about your immediate needs. Things like where you will live, who will care for the children, and division of assets may be first on your mind, as they should be. However, long term planning like estate planning tends to get put on… Read More »
Leaving Assets To Minors And Others Who May Not Be Ready To Inherit
It is a simple fact of life that we may want to leave money, assets or property to people who can’t handle those assets, or who aren’t ready to handle them at the time that you pass, and the property is passed on. How can estate planning deal with this problem? When the Situation… Read More »