Author Archives: Linda Fisher
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 »
Can You Protect Your Home If You Need Medicaid?
Anyone who owns a home, whether a magnificent mansion or a modest ranch, worries about the possibility of losing the home because of long-term care. How can they keep the home for their spouse or even for their family, if they need to apply to Medicaid for long-term nursing care costs? The problem, reports… Read More »
Are You Considering the Impact of Your Estate Plan on your Heirs?
When thinking about an estate plan, the top priority is usually devising strategies on how to transfer assets to heirs. It’s rare that a person really considers the consequences for the beneficiaries. Kiplinger’s recent article asks, “Are You Forcing Unintended Consequences on Your Heirs?” An estate plan should bring about a positive outcome. However,… Read More »