Second marriages later in life can be wonderful experiences and often should be encouraged, but they are not without some special considerations. Often, older couples have to cope with adult …
Inheritance in Trust
Getting an inheritance in trust may be the best way to get (or give) an inheritance. Let me explain. Most clients want all or at least part of their estate …
Estate Planning: Owing More Than You Own
When formulating your estate plan, it is good to figure what you own and what you owe before deciding what to leave to whom. However, it is possible to add …
Changing Your Will or Trust
The situation is common. A client has a will or trust prepared by legal counsel. Sometime later the client wishes to make changes to the estate plan. The question is, …
Funeral Planning & Legal Issues
When you die, who will decide what happens to your body? Who will decide your burial location and the funeral arrangements? If a daughter from an earlier marriage wants her …
What is Probate?
It is common to hear the statement, “I want to avoid probate” or “I don’t want my family to go through the horrors of probate.” When you ask these same …
Your Estate is More than Assets
Even if your children are grown with families of their own, you can probably remember scenes of sibling rivalry when they were younger. In some families, the competition continues into …
Preparing for the Storms of Life
Many people think an estate plan only involves drafting a document before you die that will distribute your assets upon your death, according to your wishes. Although an effective estate …
How Do I Discuss Estate Planning With My Family and Loved Ones?
Throughout my twenty years as an estate planning attorney, I have experienced the effects of the above question. Too often, the problem has been that estate planning has not been …
