How Estate Planning Keeps the Peace for a Blended Family
Even a close family can have quarrels and confrontations, but these conflicts tend to be more prominent within a blended family.
What Is Probate and How to Prepare for It?
We have all heard the term ‘probate.’ However, we may not be exactly sure what this means. It may sound daunting, but don’t be intimidated by the phrase.
Estate Planning for Family Harmony This Holiday Season
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s meaningful to reflect on the origin of the holiday–Native Americans and pilgrims sharing their bounty of food with each other. As you gather with your loved ones this year, perhaps you can think of ways to share not only your dinner, but also your financial bounty.
Blended Families Need More Thoughtful Estate Plans
When the first spouse dies, the surviving spouse may not remain as close with his or her stepchildren. Small irritations which were overlooked during the lifetime of the spouse who died, may become outright disputes.
Be Even and Fair in Estate Distribution
We have money in savings and retirement accounts, but our most valuable asset is our home. We want to leave our property to our two children equally.
Sharing Passwords for Digital Assets
Safe and shareable password storage is vital in today’s computerized world. The old solution–writing down passwords on paper set next to your keyboard–is not safe, not adequate and not shareable.
Pet Trusts Can Protect Your Pets after You’re Gone
For most people, pets aren’t just animals–they’re the excited ‘hello’ when we get home from a long day of work, our jogging partners, our best friends and part of the family.
An Estate Plan Will Determine How You are Remembered
Various studies show that most adults have not prepared a legal will. However, the point I’m really trying to make is that everyone has a will in a way—just not one that they have executed.
Like Going to the Dentist, Get Your Estate Plan Ready
However, if you get no further than scribbling notes or thinking about which lawyer to hire, you risk dying “intestate”—without a will that could guide your loved ones, head off family feuds and potentially save your family thousands of dollars.
How Can I Make Amendments to an Estate Plan?
Updating one’s estate planning documents involves changes to one’s trust, will and/or designation of death beneficiaries, as relevant. To be effective, such updates must be done correctly.