Once you have made an estate plan, you might believe you can just pat yourself on the back, safe in the knowledge that you have taken care of everything. However, like any plan, if you are the only one who knows about it, everyone else will be surprised to learn what...
Estate Planning
What are the best practices of an attorney-in-fact?
Setting up a power of attorney involves appointing someone as your agent or attorney-in-fact. It is a role authorized to make financial or property-related decisions on your behalf under specific circumstances. Ideally, you already have a person in mind who can...
What if your chosen executor refuses the role?
Serving as the executor of a will is a challenging task. The executor is generally responsible for managing your assets after your death and carrying out the final wishes expressed through your will. They might also have to oversee your funeral arrangements and pay...
How do I remove the executor of my parents’ estate if I am an heir?
If one or both of your parents have chosen someone to be executor over their estate, most likely they thought long and hard before they actually chose that person to act as the executor. Not only is it an honor to be chosen as the executor of the estate but the role...
Three ways to maintain control over your assets in the long-term
If you’re worried about how your assets will be used once inherited by your loved ones, you should carefully think about how you can use your estate plan to ensure your assets’ longevity. Failing to do so could lead to your hard-earned wealth being squandered away or...
Transferring real estate through your estate plan
One of the most important things your estate plan can do is to provide for the transfer of your assets after your death. For some estate plans, this can be achieved through a will. For others, a more elaborate plan involving trusts and other tools may be necessary. As...
Business succession plan basics
Estate planning can involve creating a will or trust, but it also can include making a business succession plan. This plan identifies and prepares for the transfer of ownership and control of a business to a new owner. It can help the current business owner ensure...
Gift and estate tax exemption increases substantially in 2023
Smart estate planning requires understanding the present and preparing for the future. Some events that can affect your plan stem from major life events – a new job, having children, getting married. Others stem from changes in the law. One example lies in the...
Estate planning helps to prepare for incapacity
Many people associate estate planning with preparing for what happens following their deaths. However, an important component of estate planning often includes preparing for the future as well, including what your wishes are should you become incapacitated and unable...
Revocable living trusts are essential to many estate plans
If you are interested in legally protecting your assets, you may consider a trust to help keep them safe until the time comes for them to be distributed. There are many advantages to a revocable living trust, including the ability to: Make changes to the trust or...