7 Reasons Not to Avoid Estate Planning
1.My family and I don’t own much. Can’t we put off planning until we can afford it? You shouldn’t. It is crucial to give legal authority to a person of your choice, to care for your children if anything should…
Discussing the Probate Process
The legal process for authenticating a deceased person's will, reviewing their assets, paying their outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to their inheritors is called Probate. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint a valid will's executor…
Gift Giving and Medicaid
If there is a possibility that a loved one might need Medicaid assistance in the foreseeable future, that person should not be giving gifts. This can be sad if that person gets joy out of generosity. But gifts in that…
What is the “For the 99.5% Act”?
A new bill, “For the 99.5% Act”, proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Jimmy Gomez was introduced to congress on March 25th, 2021. The bill's current form is only 18 pages long, but its potential impact on federal estate…
Having a Will is Vital
According to a caring.com survey, the number of Americans that have written their wills had only increased 2.5 percent in one year. Overall, the percentage of those with a will continues to decline, 33 percent in 2021 versus 42 percent…
Discussing an Estate Plan with your Aging Parent
It’s essential to have conversations with your aging parents about their finances. To broach the topic, you might bring up current events like the coronavirus pandemic, its effect on economic conditions, and how it relates to the security of their…
The Issues with Do-It Yourself Estate Plans
We hear this question all the time: “Can’t I just grab a will off the internet, do a transfer-on-death deed for my land, put my kids on my bank account, and be done with my estate plan?” It’s just…
The Need for Affordable Long-Term Care in the US
AARP reports that, between 2015 and 2050, the population age 85+ will more than likely triple. Due to the growth of this demographic, we will face many challenges ahead as more people than ever will need long-term care. Elected leaders…
VA Benefits for Aging Veterans
The US Census Bureau reports that, in the United States, 38 percent of the 18.2 million military veterans are 65 and older. Additionally, the Census Bureau reports that more than 9 million veterans receive services from the Department of Veteran's…
The Duty of a Probate Lawyer
Knowing the probate lawyer’s role is one of the first steps you should take at the beginning of the probate process, regardless of whether you are the Executor or an heir of the estate. One of the biggest sources of…