Snowbirds: What You Need to Know About Renting Out Your Property
Retreating to a warmer climate for the winter may sound like an ideal way to spend a few months. To help make this dream a reality, some individuals choose to rent out their second homes when they are not in use. Before listing your property for rent, however, consider the financial, legal, tax, insurance, and […]
Considerations Before You Head South for the Winter
For many snowbirds, cooler weather means it is time to head south. If you are thinking about heading for warmer weather this winter, there are a few things you should consider before hitting the road. Which state do you consider your home? If you split your time between two states, it is important to understand […]
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Own Estate Plan?
As adults, we rarely face a multiple-choice exam or a pop quiz. The tests that come our way tend to be real-life ones: moments that reveal how prepared we actually are for the unexpected. That is how your estate plan is supposed to work. The true test of your plan does not arrive in your […]
Before You Go to Court Over an Estate: What the Fight Really Costs
A parent dies, and something about the paperwork does not sit right—a will changed late in life, a trustee who has gone quiet, a caregiver who ended up with more than anyone expected. Family members face a choice: Let it go or take the fight to court. Before choosing either path, families should understand what […]
Your College Student’s Digital Life: The Hidden Estate Planning Gap Nobody Talks About
When a child is preparing to leave for college, both the student and the parent may face a period of uncertainty. For many students, college is their first experience living independently. That independence extends beyond just living away from home. It may include having new financial accounts, credit cards, electronic devices, school portals, and online […]
How Do I Donate My Organs When I Die?
If you want to donate your organs when you die, you have to think about exactly what you want, legally document your wishes, and communicate them to loved ones who will carry them out. Organ donation is one of the most regulated aspects of the healthcare industry, with unique legal considerations. Nearly every state has […]
Making Sense of Per Stirpes, by Representation, and Per Capita Distributions
“That’s not fair!” is a common child’s refrain as they advocate for themselves or express what they feel to be unjust. This pursuit of fairness, however, often follows families into adulthood, and it can resurface with real consequences when an estate plan is on the table. Ideas about fairness often influence family dynamics and may […]
Flying Solo: Why Estate Planning Still Matters and What to Do Next
As a single person, you may find yourself wondering who will step in to make important decisions for you if you become unable to do so or who will receive your money and property after your death. Although parents, siblings, or other loved ones may be the first people who come to mind, they may […]
Your Family’s Estate Road Map: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Assets and Wishes
Maps help us get where we are going. Nowadays, phone apps provide detailed directions, making it nearly impossible to get lost. A physical map may seem outdated, but in an emergency, it can be a lifesaver. An estate plan without a “road map” leaves your loved ones guessing what exists and where important things are […]
Executor Rights: How You Are Protected While Administering an Estate
Being named executor of someone’s estate is often viewed as an honor. It means the person who created the will trusted you to handle their affairs and carry out their wishes after death. But once the process begins, many executors discover that the role involves far more than distributing belongings or closing a few bank […]
Pot Trusts Explained for Families
A pot trust is a way to hold money and property for a group of beneficiaries, usually children or other family members, in one shared trust. Instead of dividing everything into separate shares right away, the assets stay together in a single fund, allowing the trustee (the person in charge of managing the trust) to use the funds based on […]
Protect Your New Home and Your Loved Ones: Why an Estate Plan Matters
Buying a home is exciting, whether it is your first time or your latest move. You have most likely worked with a realtor, a lender, a home inspector, and a title company, but there is one more call you should make: your estate planning attorney. Ensuring that your new home is properly integrated into your […]