Estate Planning

get ready to write your will

Write Your Will: 8 Things You Need to Get Ready

What things do you need to get ready before you write your will? The estate planning process allows you to decide what will happen to your assets once you are gone. You may also plan for how to manage your debts and other obligations. If you have children, you can designate someone to serve as…

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probate property

Does All Property Have to Go Through Probate When Someone Dies?

Does all property have to go through probate when someone dies? During the estate planning process, you must decide how you would like your assets to be distributed after you die. Your last will and testament will name someone to act as your personal representative. The will may contain all of your instructions on what…

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Ice Cream on ground, title of article above

The Six Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes

What are the biggest estate planning mistakes? Putting together a long-term plan for your family can be overwhelming and challenging to navigate. There are a handful of common estate planning mistakes that you can avoid when making important decisions for your family. 1) Failing to Plan The biggest mistake is failing to create a plan…

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How To Get, Create, or Choose a Health Care Proxy

How To Get, Create, or Choose a Health Care Proxy

How to choose a health care proxy? Planning for your long-term care allows you to decide what you would like to happen if, at some point in the future, you are incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself. With documents like a living will, you can state what you would like doctors to do…

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How long does probate take without a will?

How Long Does Probate Take Without a Will?

How long does probate take without a will? Dealing with the loss of a loved one is already a difficult process, so it’s easy to get frustrated when it comes to going through probate too. This lengthy and often difficult process can add even more stress to your life. The probate process is one in…

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What Is A Holographic Will And Does It Stand Up To Legal Scrutiny?

What Is A Holographic Will And Does It Stand Up To Legal Scrutiny?

What is a holographic will? A holographic will is a handwritten will signed exclusively by the individual making the will. State laws vary regarding the legality of holographic wills. Some states recognize holographic wills only from active members of the military. Other state probate courts require two witness signatures on a holographic will to confirm…

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The Substantial Risk of Writing A Will Without a Lawyer

The Substantial Risk of Writing a Will Without a Lawyer

What is the risk of writing a will without a lawyer? Each state has strict laws that govern the probate of estates—whether with or without a will. Unfortunately, this means that if a will is challenged as invalid and thrown out, the testator will no longer have control over what happens to their estate. Trying…

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Naming a Legal Guardian for Your Kids, What Can Happen to Your Kids If You Die

Naming a Legal Guardian for Your Kids, What Will Happen to Your Kids If You Die

What will happen to your kids if you die? Parents must make difficult decisions all the time. Their children’s health, education, and overall well-being are in their hands, after all. An important part of raising children is the question “What will happen to the children if I die?” No one likes to think about matters like this…

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5 Reasons You Should Have a Will

5 Reasons You Should Have a Will

Why should you have a will? It may feel grim to talk about wills when you are young and healthy. However, it is an essential conversation if you are married, have children, own a business, or possess any number of assets. Let’s explore some of the reasons why adults should have a will. 5 Reasons…

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Reasons Why You Should Set Up a Trust

Reasons Why You Should Set Up a Trust

Why should you set up a trust? Many estates include a trust, in which one party manages and possesses assets on another party’s behalf. It is common for parents to leave a trust for a child and have a responsible family member oversee this trust until the child is of legal age.  What are the…

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