A living trust is a powerful estate planning tool that offers significant benefits. This legal document allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime and transfer them to your beneficiaries after your passing, often without the need for probate. However, to...
Estate Planning
What you need to know when settling your parent’s estate
Settling a parent's estate can be daunting, especially during a time of grief. As the executor, you're responsible for making sense of their financial affairs, dealing with lawyers and banks and figuring out how to distribute their belongings among family members....
What are the pros and cons of having an irrevocable trust?
As individuals plan for their financial futures, they often consider various strategies to protect their assets and ensure their loved ones will continue to receive their support. One tool that can achieve these goals is the irrevocable trust. If you are considering...
Why young parents need to start estate planning now
For many young parents, it is easy to think of estate planning as something they can worry about much later in life. However, life is unpredictable. What if something unexpected happens? Imagine the stress of navigating your own challenges and also worrying about how...
Is gatekeeping a sign of undue influence on the elderly?
You always had a close relationship with your grandmother – until your uncle moved into her home to serve as her caregiver. Suddenly, you find that you’re increasingly less welcome to visit – if not outright discouraged based on the idea that your visits are a strain...
It’s time to address your digital assets
Nowadays, almost every teenager and adult in the U.S. has cultivated a substantial digital footprint, ranging from online bank accounts and social media profiles to digital currencies and personal content stored in cloud services. As such, incorporating digital assets...
How does a revocable living trust work?
A revocable living trust is popular with many people making their estate plans due to its flexibility. This kind of trust allows you to transfer your assets to the trust during your lifetime. However, you still retain legal ownership of the trust assets. Revocable...
3 tips for asking someone to be your executor
You have taken into account the non-negotiable qualities you would like your executor to possess and have identified the most suitable person(s). So, how do you start the conversation? Being an executor is a complex job. Even if your chosen party is not familiar with...
Estate planning tips for single people
Are you under the assumption you don't need an estate plan? If you are single or don't have many assets, this impression may seem logical. However, single individuals also need to take steps to ensure their wishes are carried out and their assets are protected in the...
Creating a trust with a guardianship
If you’re making an estate plan as a relatively young parent, you may be interested in setting up a guardianship for your child. You know that you could pass away unexpectedly, but your child needs care and assistance, at least until they are 18. By choosing a...