You're thinking about writing a will, but you don't like the idea of typing one up. You worry about cybersecurity and you don't know who else may access any digital files you create. It seems better to write the will yourself and keep it in a safe place.Can you do...
Do I need a probate attorney?
Year: 2019
Questions that determine how long probate takes
If you pass away and your estate goes into probate, your heirs probably hope it wraps up quickly. Unfortunately, it may not. This process can drag on for weeks or months, depending on a lot of different factors.To see why it takes longer for some estate than others,...
Is it a mistake to leave assets to your children directly?
You know that the simplest way to leave your assets to the next generation is to give those assets directly to the children. You can write the amount they get into your will and have the executor cut them a check after you pass away. It's easy. They get the money they...
The aging population is increasing rapidly
The population in the United States is trending toward including more and more elderly individuals. This is happening because baby boomers -- the population spike seen right after the end of World War II -- are growing older and pushing the numbers up.For example,...
What if you forget to put assets into a trust?
You set up a trust to transfer your assets on to your children when you pass away. You put some of your assets into the trust at the time. However, you do not pass away for another 10 years. In that time, you gain more assets that you forget to add to the trust. You...
Picking a guardian under the threat of divorce
You decide to do your estate planning, and your assets are actually not your main concern. You want to get things set up for your children, who are still minors. As such, your first order of business is to pick guardians for the kids.When many people arrive at this...
Do you need a new will or a codicil?
You made a will last year. Now you want to update it and make some changes. Do you need to make a completely new will?You may, but another option is to use a codicil. This official document can essentially amend the legal plan you already have in place. It leaves most...
Estate issues and children who haven’t stayed in touch
After a parent passes away, it can be hard for adult children to work together and get everything figured out. It's a complicated process. Like all things involving money, it can lead to heated disputes. There are many potential problems that can arise.The odds of a...
What if you don’t sign your will?
You know that most people don't have a will, and you set out to change that at least for your family. You draft a will, decide who should get your major assets, talk to your heirs about what they want, and then put the will in your desk.However, you never actually get...
A trust fund gives your heirs serious advantages
Done the right way, a trust fund can give your heirs advantages in nearly every area of life. If you have substantial assets to leave them, they may even be able to pass some on to the next generation. You can use your wealth to define their lives and help them avoid...
