If you are drafting an estate plan, you may be worried that someone else is going to challenge that plan. You are concerned that this is going to lead to disputes between beneficiaries. For instance, perhaps you have three adult children, and you do not want to have...
Estate Planning
What are the pros and cons of a payable-on-death account?
A payable on death (POD) account offers a straightforward way to transfer bank assets to designated beneficiaries after the account holder's death. This financial tool allows individuals to maintain complete control of their money during their lifetime while helping...
Addressing anatomical gift intentions with an advance directive
There are several reasons why people might draft advance health care directives. Often, those facing significant medical challenges establish advance directives to ensure they receive appropriate medical support. Other times, individuals want to clarify their wishes...
Do your older parents need a digital estate plan?
If your parents are advancing through their Golden Years, even if they rarely go online, they likely have a digital presence. Older adults may not be active on social media or own cryptocurrency, but almost all adults living in the U.S. possess digital assets that may...
These life events mean you need to review your estate plan
One important thing to remember with estate planning is that, even after initially drafting your plan, you don’t want to neglect it. In some cases, you need to sit down and review the plan to see if updates are necessary. But when should you do it? A good idea is to...
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized?
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to grant someone else the authority to make decisions on your behalf. Whether it’s for financial, medical or legal matters, a POA can provide a trusted individual with the power to act in your place when...
Don’t keep your estate plan a secret
There seems to be a misconception that no one should know what’s in your estate plan until you pass away. Too many movies have shown family members gathered around while the lawyer read the terms of the will. In the real world, there are several reasons why you should...
2 reasons a will may be contested
A will is the key component of any estate plan. This legal document provides precise instructions on how assets are to be divided upon the testator’s death. It can also designate guardians for minor children and much more. However, a will only carries out its...
3 common questions of estate planning
Do you lack an estate plan? You may be missing an important opportunity to protect your future. If you are considering making an estate plan, here are a few questions you may have: 1. What is an estate plan for? The main use of an estate plan is to instruct how your...
Do you have to leave equal amounts to all beneficiaries?
As you make your estate plan, you may consider splitting everything up equally between your beneficiaries. Maybe you have four adult children, so you’re going to leave them all 25% ownership of the family home or the vacation cabin. Maybe you have $1 million in your...