Author Archives: Site Administrator
What If I Can’t Wait Until 70 to Get My Social Security?
Delaying the claiming of your Social Security benefits only makes sense for some people—particularly those who are claiming based on their own work records and who expect to live a long time in retirement. You have probably also heard that 70 is the best age for claiming Social Security benefits. That’s because you’ve already… Read More »
Can I Keep a Loved One’s Inheritance From Their Spouse?
A recent nj.com article asks, “How do I protect my niece’s inheritance from her husband?” The article says that in a scenario where someone plans to leave most of her estate to her niece but doesn’t want her estranged husband to get his hands on the money, she must be proactive to make sure… Read More »
How Should I Title My Property in My Estate Plan?
Pauls Valley Democrat’s recent article, “Considerations in how to title your property, ” says that there are several types of “automatic” transfer of property methods that don’t require probate. The first is Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship. This form of ownership passes title to the survivor immediately upon death and avoids probate. The… Read More »
How Does a Probate Proceeding Work?
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 owner or beneficiary designated, says the Record Online in the article “Anatomy of a probate proceeding.” The probate process… Read More »
Why Wills Need to be Updated
Lives change, and laws change. People come and go in our lives, through birth, death, marriage and divorce. Change is a constant factor in everyone’s lives. If your estate plan doesn’t keep up to date, says Next Avenue in the article “8 Reasons You May Need to Update Your Will, ” you could create… Read More »
Get the Facts About Dementia Care
A person with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia might need to move into a specialized care facility for his own safety and medical care. If you have a loved one in this situation, you need to know about the options available for dementia care in assisted living and nursing home facilities. The… Read More »
When Do I Need a Power of Attorney?
Without a valid durable power of attorney, the answer really depends on what documents need to be signed. A power of attorney is a legal document signed by the “Principal, ” granting the authority to another individual to make decisions on the Principal’s behalf. This document is only in effect during the lifetime of… Read More »
Succession Planning For Business Owners
A business owner without an estate plan, is a business owner whose business and personal estate are both in jeopardy, says the Augusta Free Press in an article that asks “Own a business? 5 reasons you need an estate plan.” You need more than a will to plan for incapacity. If you become ill… Read More »
Where Should I Keep My Estate Plan?
Many people ask their attorney to hold the original documents of their estate plan. This prevents the plan from being misplaced at home and keeps it away from prying family members. Forbes’ recent article, “Keeping Your Estate Planning Documents Safe, ” explains that because of the expense of storage and the move to paperless… Read More »
What’s Best for You, a Will or a Trust?
That may be an idealistic portrayal, but there is some truth to it. It is no longer unusual for families to engage in estate litigation, according to The Northside Sun’s article “Do You Have a Will or a Trust? Why?” Many families who have estate plans incorporate trusts to ensure that their directions are… Read More »