Estate Planning

A living trust is a legal instrument that names a trustee to manage a person's funds or other assets while they are still living. The person, also known as the grantor, establishes a living trust by signing a Declaration of Trust. The grantor's assets, which they name...

One of the primary goals of estate planning is to ensure the financial security of your loved ones after you pass away. However, without careful consideration, a significant portion of the assets you intend for your beneficiaries could go towards an inheritance tax....

Creating a trust is an excellent way to transfer assets, avoid probate and build generational wealth. Trusts are a valuable tool when creating an estate plan. While there are trusts created for specific purposes, such as special needs or charitable trusts, they can...

Trusts, wills and powers of attorney are just some of the most common estate planning instruments. These documents and how they are drafted is pivotal to ensuring that a person’s final wishes are honored. However, the documents only provide instructions, and it is...

While it is true that estate planning largely revolves around the distribution of assets, there is so much more to it. If you have minor children, one thing you can do is name a child guardian to care for them if you and their other parent pass away or are otherwise...

If you are down to execute someone’s estate, the probate process will take up a considerable chunk of your time. There is only so much you can do to make it happen faster, despite how impatient some beneficiaries may get to receive the things left to them....

A trust can be a fairly straightforward legal document included in an estate plan that outlines instructions to distribute assets to beneficiaries. Alternatively, an incentive trust can be made to encourage a beneficiary to meet a specific clause before they access...

The executor of an estate plays a crucial role in ensuring the deceased’s wishes happen. While they can claim some expenses, it is effectively a voluntary role – unless the deceased instructed a professional to cover the role for a fee. Yet, just because someone is...

Once you make an estate plan, you should review it every year or so to make sure it remains relevant. Yet the changes needed due to a divorce merit a revision then and there.  Here are some updates that you should consider making when you end your marriage: Updating...

When a loved one dies and you’ve taken on the weighty-but-expected role of their executor, one of the first things that you need to do is find their original will. While you may have a photocopy in your possession, the probate court needs to see the original will so...