When a loved one dies: first, you grieve. Next, as their successor trustee, there is a series of obligations that you must handle to put your loved one to rest and to manage their estate.

Estate plans are almost magical: they allow you to maintain control of your assets, yet protect you if you become incapacitated. They take care of your family and even your pets.

So, you have decided to take control of your estate planning and are given two choices: will-based planning or trust-based planning. If the differences between the two confuse you, you are not alone!

We know that you are always looking for ways to protect your family and loved ones. Here are six steps to take this year to help make sure that your estate plan protects you and yours.

There are many tools that an experienced estate attorney can use to keep your money and property out of probate. Setting up a revocable living trust is often the best, most comprehensive option for avoiding probate.

Estate attorneys and financial planners typically recommend working to keep accounts and property out of probate. That said, the probate system, in some cases, can be used to your advantage.

In a financial power of attorney, you designate an agent or attorney-in-fact to act on your behalf if you become disabled or unable to manage your financial affairs. When you are selecting powers to give your agent, you should carefully consider three powers in particular.

A robust estate plan provides for the well-being and financial security of your loved ones and helps you protect and control your legacy. Well-structured life insurance has helped many of our clients do just this. We work closely with life insurance professional Carmen Bississo of Cassaday & Company so that our clients get the best […]

You can expect amendments and updates to tax regulations every year, if not more often. An important point to discuss with us before the end of this year is how to get the maximum benefit from the temporarily higher federal gift and estate tax exemption – before it changes. Status Of The Federal Gift & […]

Despite what you may have heard, a will may not be the best plan for you and your family. There are two reasons for this. First, a will does not avoid probate when you die. A will must be validated by the probate court before it can be enforced. Second, as a will only goes […]