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“Although most people would not want a court proceeding on death, many people mistakenly think that a will avoids one.” A Will, also known as Last Will and Testament, is a legal document that is used in probate court if a person dies with assets that are in their name alone without a surviving joint […]

senior couple talking

Children may not have to make as many major decisions at a difficult time in their lives. Elder law estate planning can make the lives of adult children easier by setting major goals and tasks in the process, according to the Times Herald-Record in “Three ways for seniors to make things easier for their kids“. […]

extended family

Transparency is usually the best case, so make that choice wisely. If you decide to choose a family member for power of attorney, remember to consider the possibility of a family feud, according to Considerable.com in “How to assign power of attorney without sparking a family feud“. Start by understanding exactly what is meant by […]

Happy old couple

No will or trust? The estate is most likely going to probate court. Transfer on death accounts can avoid some assets from going through probate. However, it is important to know that the laws governing TODs vary from state to state, according to Yahoo! Finance in “Transfer on Death (TOD) Accounts for Estate Planning“. Here’s […]

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It is a good idea to have a plan, just in case you do retire. Many business owners have worked for years to build up their business and don’t have any intention of retiring. However, that day is likely to come and it would be wise to have a succession plan, according to The Gardner […]

Wills trusts and estates covered

You will need an executor. The position needs considerable thought before making that decision. There are many questions asked of potential executors, including are you willing to take on such a role and are you comfortable with accepting the role, according to The Huntsville Item in “Role of an executor“. Sometimes a person is confused […]

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College support, birthdays or just plain giving has its distinct advantages. Many people are considerate about gifting to help family, friends and society because there really is more to it than receiving a tax advantage, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader in “Lifetime (noncharitable) giving has many advantages—and not just for tax purposes“. Lifetime […]

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Rights can become complicated, if there is no estate plan or will. If you and your partner are an unmarried couple, there’s a good chance you are going to face some difficulties when it comes to medical decisions and legal rights over property, unless you have an estate plan and will, according to the Santa […]

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If you decide on a trust, which one is best? The question of whether you need a trust or not in your estate plan is best answered after a discussion with an estate planning attorney. However, here is some preliminary guidance from U.S. News & World Report in “8 Things to Know About Trusts“. Revocable […]

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Government regulations usually have less impact than family relations. There are some big estate planning mistakes that farmers can make. It is best to be aware of them and avoid following in the footsteps of others, according to Ag Web in “5 Estate Planning Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make”. The current estate tax exemptions […]