We recently spoke with someone who is experiencing the unexpected death of a family member who had no estate plan in place. They are understandably overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. We encourage you to plan for the unexpected and not leave your loved ones in a similar…
Estate Planning: What’s Next?
“Congratulations! You’ve been meaning to create an estate plan for a long time — and now you finally have a health care advance directive, a durable power of attorney, a will and maybe even a revocable trust. You’ve accomplished something important for you and your family, but you are not…
Family Traditions and Estate Planning
Estate Planning isn’t just all about practicality – it’s also includes ensuring your sentimental needs are met. “When planning for our families, practicality is usually the first thing that comes to mind. You want to make sure you have the proper estate documents (will, power of attorney, advance directive) and…
Questions to Consider
We think we can probably give you ALL your Estate Planning answers in LESS than 100 questions, but these are great things to consider as you begin working on your Estate Plan: 100 Questions to Ask in an Estate Planning Interview
Estate Planning & Divorce
If you or a loved one is going through a divorce, there are important estate planning considerations to be aware of. This article outlines them well: Estate Planning During a Divorce: Four Key Considerations
Managing the Death of a Parent
“No one thinks dealing with the death of a parent will be pleasant. We expect a morass of unfamiliar and uncomfortable emotions. We anticipate unprecedented grief. But no one warns us about how much math and paperwork it entails.” – Adam BulgerThis article includes great advice for managing affairs after…
Beneficiary Designations and Estate Planning
“Beneficiary designations are a crucial part of estate planning, yet they are often overlooked. Once you have signed your estate planning documents, you need to make sure your beneficiary designations are consistent with the rest of your estate plan. You have worked hard to create your estate plan. Make sure…
Estate Planning in Every Stage of Life
No matter what stage of life you are in, there are estate planning items to consider. Here’s a good breakdown for many of the stages you may experience: Estate planning considerations for every stage of life
Planning for Your Pets
“Now if all you have is a pet, you can probably stop reading here. On the other hand, if your pet is family, you should consider adding them to the estate plan. Now, I’m not suggesting that you leave a pile of money to Whiskers, but there are still things…
Review Your Estate Plan Often
Some people consider estate planning “one and done” but there are compelling reasons to take a look at your estate plan often and update as needed.“A person’s estate plan should grow with them over time. If you haven’t looked at your will in a long time, it’s time to take…