Are You a Millennial? An Estate Plan May Be Right for You

A growing number of millennials are beginning to have children. Yet, the vast majority of this generation does not have advanced directives or a Last Will and Testament in place. Designating a person to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, and on their child’s behalf, is extremely important in the event he or she becomes incapacitated or dies. Advanced directives include the following:

Health Care Proxy;
Living Will;
HIPPA Release Form; and
Power of Attorney.

Continue reading “Are You a Millennial? An Estate Plan May Be Right for You”

A Last Will and Testament is Important

A Last Will and Testament is a document that memorializes the wishes of the testator. When a person dies without a Will, his or her assets are distributed in accordance with the state laws of intestacy. When this occurs, assets are distributed in a specific order to the decedent’s next of kin, which may not be in accordance with their wishes. Also, a Will may set forth a decedent’s wishes for his or her funeral. Without a Will, a decedent’s wishes for their burial or cremation may not be carried out properly. For these reasons, it is important to execute a valid Will. Continue reading “A Last Will and Testament is Important”

Summer Is Approaching, so Be Sure to Have Your Advanced Directives in Place

Advanced directives are documents that enable you to choose a designated individual to make certain important decisions in the event you become incapacitated. Advanced directives include:

Health Care Proxy

A health care proxy designates an agent to make medical decisions in the event a person becomes incapacitated.
Continue reading “Summer Is Approaching, so Be Sure to Have Your Advanced Directives in Place”

Spring Is Here So Update Your Estate Plan to Reflect Life Changes

Whether you are looking to create an estate plan for the first time or want to update an existing plan, Spring is an ideal time to meet with an estate planning lawyer to address your current legal needs and protect your legacy for the future. In this article, we have listed a few important areas of your estate plan to review and update as necessary this Spring. Continue reading “Spring Is Here So Update Your Estate Plan to Reflect Life Changes”

Planning Your Own Funeral May Mitigate the Risk of Disputes Between Grieving Family Members

An authorization for final disposition allows someone to designate an agent to make arrangements for their funeral, as well as take control of his or her body upon death. An authorization for final disposition can set forth instructions for the following:

Burial;
Viewing;
Headstone;
Attire;
Flowers; and
Cost, among other arrangements.

Continue reading “Planning Your Own Funeral May Mitigate the Risk of Disputes Between Grieving Family Members”

Even Single People Need an Estate Plan

A person that dies without a Last Will and Testament is known to have died intestate. Dying intestate or without a Will can result in unintended consequences as well as chaos because the decedent’s property and possessions will then be distributed to their heirs in accordance with the laws of the state. When this happens, a decedent’s intended wishes for the distribution of their assets and possessions will not always be carried out. Continue reading “Even Single People Need an Estate Plan”

Disclaiming an Inheritance May Have Benefits

Creating a comprehensive estate plan is an important part of planning for your future and the future needs of your loved ones. In addition to establishing a comprehensive estate plan, it is important to discuss this inheritance plan with your beneficiaries so that he or she may prepare for their designated role. Continue reading “Disclaiming an Inheritance May Have Benefits”

Create an Estate Plan to Ensure Your Property Is Distributed as You Wish

Oftentimes, when a family member or loved one dies without a Last Will and Testament, it results in unintended consequences as well as excessive expense. When a person dies intestate or without a Will, his or her property and possessions will be distributed to their heirs in accordance with the law of the state. When this happens, a decedent’s intended wishes for the distribution of their assets and possessions will not likely be carried out. To ensure that person’s wishes are carried out upon their death a comprehensive estate plan must be created. Continue reading “Create an Estate Plan to Ensure Your Property Is Distributed as You Wish”

Be Sure You Have Advanced Directives in Place

Advanced directives are documents that assist in the event that a person loses the capacity to make decisions on their own behalf. These documents allow a designated agent to act on someone else’s behalf in order to make medical or financial decisions. It is recommended that those over the age of eighteen have advanced directives in place, especially if he or she is going away to college. Continue reading “Be Sure You Have Advanced Directives in Place”

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Category: Trusts and Estates