Estate planning is indispensable for securing the economic future of loved ones. This is particularly relevant within blended families, where relationships and dynamics are diverse and layered. Family members typically have distinct needs and wants, which demands meticulous and well-considered planning. Parents of blended families often strive to balance the needs of biological and stepchildren, ensuring fair and Read More

Legal terminology can challenge those who don’t work in this field. Lawyers use specific language to convey specific concepts to avoid ambiguity and confusion. At its core, it is a way to mitigate the risk of future disputes and litigation. The terms “guardianship” and “conservatorship” get used interchangeably—which is incorrect. They are distinct terms. More importantly, they apply to your loved ones. These terms Read More

There are no shortcuts for estate planning, despite many people assuming there are several. For example, some simply add another person’s name to their account instead of creating a power of attorney. If the primary account holder becomes incapacitated, the other person whose name is on the account can access it. Although this can lead to several challenges later, the essential element is that it requires Read More

There are many reasons why virtually every adult should have a comprehensive estate plan. People create them to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes after they pass away, and they also can protect their assets from creditors, lawsuits, or even divorce. Before you meet with your attorney, it is important to recognize that several asset protection strategies are at your disposal. Although legal Read More

When you work with an estate planning attorney who manages them and navigates the complexities of probate and trust litigation, you will learn how important it is to select a trustee capable of handling and overseeing your financial affairs. Although this blog will focus heavily on trustee malfeasance, we will look at ways to prevent it. Don’t always assume that when a trustee gets removed, it is because they were Read More

There will be times and situations during the probate process when you and your attorney may have to consider filing an appeal. Many people are unfamiliar with the probate process and are forced to navigate it during a highly emotional time. When people need to file an appeal, it is usually because someone is challenging the validity of either a will or a trust. Though the following is an extreme exaggeration, it Read More

Upon creating a will (or a trust), you may turn to your friends and family about what you should do next. A basic internet search will provide countless sites listing several actionable steps. You may need to develop a list of the assets you own, identify beneficiaries, and consider a potential guardian for your children. This doesn’t consider your medical and durable powers of attorney, which are fundamental for Read More

Before you commit to making an estate plan, you may need clarification about what it is and achieves. Although it is entirely understandable to assume this, some envision it as a single document that gets signed when you meet with your attorney. Additionally, people falsely believe that people pursue an estate plan because they only want to protect their assets.    Anyone who has begun estate planning Read More

There’s a general misunderstanding surrounding the difference between estate planning and elder law. It is essential to define the two because this blog centers around a common elder law concern of keeping your house while also paying the high costs associated with long-term care. In a straightforward way, estate planning answers the question of what happens to you and your assets if you are incapacitated or pass Read More