If you find yourself the executor of a will or trust, you know that you have been staffed with a big responsibility. While there are many steps you need to take to push the process forward, you don't want to get too far ahead of yourself. Unfortunately, you could be...
From an estate planning perspective, creating a trust may be the best decision you can make. As you begin to learn more about this option, it's important to focus on what you should and should not be doing. Here are some of the many mistakes that people continually...
When a loved one passes away, it goes without saying that it will take quite some time to get your life back on track. As you grieve, you may be responsible for tackling a variety of tasks. Don't be surprised if a debt collector contacts you in an attempt to discuss a...
A conservatorship may sound like a good thing, but it can actually lead to an expensive and time-consuming court proceeding. In short, a conservatorship is the legal authority for one person to make decisions regarding another's living situation, finances and health...
As you create an estate plan, you'll spend a lot of time thinking about what will happen to your loved ones after you are gone. For many people, this also means their pets. There are many ways to ensure that your pets are cared for after your death, with these three...
Serving as an estate executor is easier said than done. This may appear simple and straightforward on the surface, but things can soon become complicated if you don't know what you are doing. Here are some of the top mistakes made by executors: -- Paying bills right...
A growing number of people are creating trusts, as opposed to relying on simple wills. While there are many benefits of moving in this direction, you need to answer this question: What will happen with your trust once you pass on? This is when the trust administration...
As you create an estate plan, you may want to learn more about the probate process. If nothing else, you should learn what happens and where you fit in. Although every situation is unique, probating an estate typically includes the following: -- Collecting all probate...
Are you currently caring for a child or another loved one who has special needs? Do you worry about what will happen to this person once you pass on? If you have these types of concerns, it's important to learn more about the benefits of a special needs trust. This...
When creating an estate plan, it's imperative to understand the finer details of each strategy. Although you may not use every tactic available to you, it's a good idea to consider each and every one. An irrevocable trust is something that is often overlooked. There...
