For the Love of Your Family
For the Love of Your Family
Q: My dad recently passed and did not have a will, what should I do? – Feeling Lost A: Dear Lost: First, make sure you have checked *absolutely* everywhere for a will. There’s a chance it’s hidden somewhere or was made years ago and then forgotten in a file cabinet somewhere. Go through your father’s […]
Read MoreQ: What’s the difference between a Living Will and a Medical POA? – Thinking Ahead A: Dear Thinking: A Living Will and a Medical POA (Power of Attorney) are both “advance directives”—specific instructions about the type of medical care you want or do not want in the future, should you be in a position where […]
Read MoreQ: I want my child to own my house when I die. Should I just transfer it now? – Pondering Parent A: Dear, Pondering: One thing to consider when transferring ownership of your home is the potential tax liability for your child. You may have owned your house for a long time, and its value […]
Read MoreQ: Could I face eviction due to an out of date Will? -Renting Beneficiary A: Dear, Renting: It’s critical that you understand exactly what will happen after you become incapacitated or when you die, to ensure that the people you love don’t end up cleaning up an estate planning nightmare while also grieving your passing. […]
Read MoreQ: Under what circumstances can my will be contested? -Will Creator A: Dear Will: Anyone can contest a will for any reason, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be successful. If you think there is a chance that someone may contest your will, it’s critically important for the people you want to leave your assets to […]
Read MoreQ: How often should I update my estate plan? -Prudent planner A: Dear Prudent: This question highlights a frequent mistake we see clients make with planning. Even if you put an effective plan in place, it can prove completely worthless if it’s not regularly updated. In fact, failing to update your plan can create its […]
Read MoreQ: Do I need additional life insurance if I already have a policy through my employer? -Insurance Enquiry A: Dear Enquiry: Group policies offered by employers provide an easy and affordable way to obtain life insurance—but they often aren’t enough on their own. While the amount of coverage you need is dependent upon your particular […]
Read MoreQ: Can I use estate planning to provide for my pet’s care after my death? -Dog Lover A: Dear Lover: Yes, you most certainly can use estate planning to make sure your pets are taken care of when you die or in the event of your incapacity. And the best way to do so is […]
Read MoreQ: What does an executor do? -Will writer A: Dear Will: An executor is the person named in your will to administer your estate upon your death. The executor’s primary responsibility is to carry out the wishes spelled out in your will, ensuring that your assets are distributed to the intended beneficiaries. An executor’s duties […]
Read MoreQ: What does “funding” a trust mean? -Curious planner A: Dear Curious: For a living trust to function properly, it’s not enough to simply list the assets you want the trust to cover. When you create your trust, you must also transfer the legal title of certain assets—real estate, bank accounts, securities—you want covered from […]
Read MoreQ: If I die with no estate plan at all, what happens to my property? -No Plan Stan A: Dear Stan: If you die without an estate plan, your assets pass to your surviving family members according to your state’s intestate succession laws. Laws vary by state and depend largely on whether you were married […]
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