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What Can a Strong Estate Planning Attorney Help Me Accomplish?

Too many people mistakenly believe that to have a need for estate planning, you must be old and wealthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Once you are a mature adult, independent, and income-producing, it is time to assume the responsibilities of preparing for your future. High on the list is preparing an estate plan with a clear understanding that your plan will be revised to adapt to changing circumstances.

Posted on: July 15, 2020

How Do the Children Divide Up Mom’s Tangible Property?

One of the biggest challenges for anyone administering an estate is how to distribute what are called its tangible items. Unlike other property which can be easily sold, turned into cash and divided equally, tangible property is unique and often can't be equally split. Its value also often can't be measured by what it could be sold for. A family photo album may have no monetary value, for instance, but great sentimental significance.

Posted on: July 14, 2020

Still Procrastinating about Your Estate Plan?

Without an estate plan in place, clients will be reliant on state laws and probate courts to appoint individuals who will be responsible for financial affairs and health-care decisions, in the case of illness and ultimately the transfer of assets upon death.

Posted on: July 13, 2020

What Parts of Estate Plan Should Be Reviewed in the Pandemic?

Many people are taking this time at home during the COVID-19 crisis to update their estate plan. Here are six critical estate plan components you should focus on, in light of the current pandemic.

Posted on: July 10, 2020

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

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

Posted on: July 9, 2020

What Is a Power of Attorney?

One essential component of your financial plan involves designating power of attorney to someone you trust, in case you are incapacitated or unable to complete a task on your own.

Posted on: July 8, 2020

Elder Financial Abuse Fraud Occurs, When No One’s Watching

Take, for example, the sad and sordid tax case of Mary Ellen Cranmer Nice vs. United States of America, which would not have existed if an attentive financial advisor hadn't noticed the large IRA distributions that were allegedly stolen right from under a matriarch’s nose.

Posted on: July 7, 2020

How Do I Avoid the Three Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes?

Planning for death is like any other transition of life, except this is one we can make easier for our loved ones. Don’t let the process of settling your estate, a process commonly known as probate, get in their way — and cost them more money.

Posted on: July 6, 2020

Should I Have an Advance Directive in the Pandemic?

If you get COVID-19 and struggle to breathe, would you want to be put on a ventilator? Whatever your answer, ask yourself another question: Who would make your wishes clear, if you couldn’t speak for yourself?

Posted on: July 3, 2020