Even when an estate plan is carefully crafted and a will is well-made, there are numerous ways that various parties can make the settlement of an estate difficult and complicated. If you are approaching an estate settlement and want to avoid as much conflict as possible, or if you are already embroiled in a contentious settlement, it is wise to consider ways that you can help simplify matters and de-escalate tensions.
Troubled children can be helped through careful planning
Part of the great responsibility of creating a personalized estate plan is considering the needs, strengths and weaknesses of your heirs. If you are like many parents, you may feel trapped while creating an estate plan, not knowing how to effectively and fairly create a plan if one or more of your children suffer from substance abuse or gambling addiction. Fortunately, there are some ways to provide for the future as a loving parent wants to do, without feeling that you are unnecessarily enabling your child.
Top reasons you need a will
Now that you and your wife have started a family, it is especially important that you begin to think about their future. Beyond planning for your baby daughter's college, you should take steps to protect her interests in case the worst should happen to you and your wife. You may feel like you have plenty of time before you need to worry about end-of-life decisions, but in reality, it is never too early to start planning.
So, you've won the lottery
Most of us have driven down the freeway and seen the billboards displaying one lottery jackpot or another, momentarily getting lost in the thought of what we would do with a sudden windfall. The reality of winning the lottery, however, is not as simple as it might seem. Those who do beat the odds must contend with complex taxation issues that most of us will never brush up against, while others prefer to take a number of extra steps to ensure they are able to maintain as much privacy as possible about their winnings.
What is a til-death-do-us-part deal?
Owning a home is one of life's great privileges, but it can also become surprisingly complicated when deciding how to pass it on once you die. A surprising subculture in Southern California has sprung up around one way to deal with the issue, known as til-death-do-us-part real estate deals.
