How Do Joint Accounts and Beneficiary Designations Work in Estate Planning?

November 23, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Remember that a will goes through probate, so a husband and wife typically try to avoid it by using joint ownership or beneficiary designations. However, they’re often mistaken by believing the will still controls their estate.

Does My Estate Plan Need an Audit?

November 4, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Life Insurance, Long-Term Care Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Estate planning is the process of transferring the management of your assets, if and when you are unable to manage them yourself due to disability or death. Whether you have $100 or $100 million you should have an estate plan.

Does an Ex-Wife Get Her Former Husband’s Inheritance Because He Died of COVID-19?

September 30, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

My big brother died of COVID-19 and he didn’t have a will. He divorced 20 years ago and has no children, but his ex is telling me she should get an inheritance. Who has the right to his money?

How to Make Beneficiary Designations Better

September 22, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Beneficiary mistakes can result in retirement plan assets being transferred to unintended beneficiaries.

What Happens If I Don’t Fund My Trust?

September 14, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Business Planning, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Life Insurance, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

If you have updated your estate plan during the Covid crisis and even found a way to sign your documents while maintaining social distance, do not overlook the last step of trust funding.

Do I Qualify as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary under the SECURE Act?

August 27, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Planning

What Is an Eligible Designated Beneficiary?

What You Need to Know about Drafting Your Will

July 16, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

If you pass away with no will, a state court may decide who gets your assets and — if you have children — who will care for them.

Five Top Reasons to Add Beneficiaries to Investment Accounts

July 8, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Losing a loved one isn’t just an emotional burden—it also carries an administrative load. There are flower arrangements to pick, eulogies to write and a stream of paperwork to sort through.

What If Grandma Didn’t Have a Will and Died from COVID-19?

June 26, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

The novel coronavirus pandemic has upended the lives of millions, created a slew of unexpected struggles and, for many, turned nightmares into reality.

Am I Making One of the Five Common Estate Planning Mistakes?

May 6, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Life Insurance, Long-Term Care Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

When is the last time you updated your will? Could your beneficiaries have changed? If you have a trust, did you actually fund it? Is your plan ready for the new SECURE Act? Here are five mistakes you don't want to make.