Does a Couple without Children Need a Last Will?

While estate planning for couples with no children seems like it would be very simple, the opposite is almost always the case, according to this informative article titled “Three keys to estate planning for couples without children” from The News-Enterprise. If...

Do You Pay Tax when You Sell Inherited Property?

From the description above, it’s clear the family had a plan for their land. However, from the question posed in a recent article titled “I inherited land that recently sold. What will I owe in taxes?” from The Washington Post, it’s clear the plan ended with the sale...

How Is Life Insurance Used in Estate Planning?

It’s possible that life insurance may play a much bigger role in your estate planning than you might have thought, says a recent article in Kiplinger titled “Other Uses for Life Insurance You May Not Know About.” If you own a life insurance policy, you’re in good...

How Important Is a Power of Attorney?

People are often surprised to learn a power of attorney is one of the most urgently needed estate planning documents to have, with a last will and health care proxy close behind in order of importance. Everyone over age 18 should have these documents, explains a...

What Is a Testamentary Trust?

Trusts are created to hold assets, and money in a trust is managed according to the instructions of the person who created it. A testamentary trust is a trust that’s created by a will after death, explains WTOP’s article entitled “What Is a Testamentary Trust and How...

LGBTQ+ Families and Estate Planning

Of course, it can be incredibly hard to experience a period of mourning, loss and grief, and then also be forced to navigate the legal complexities and probate and estate planning and try to determine these complicated issues. Fox 17’s recent article entitled “Estate...

Can I Learn from Bad Estate Planning of Celebs?

Forbes’s recent article entitled “Lessons to Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates” gives us some great examples of bad estate planning decisions by stars that left their families in a mess, estate planning-wise. Here are three: James Gandolfini of Sopranos fame...

Estate Planning for Singles

Pauls Valley Democrat’s recent article entitled “Even ‘singles’ need estate plans” tells us what might happen if you die intestate (without a last will and testament). In that case, your any assets without a surviving joint owner or designated beneficiary...

What are the Basics of a Successful Estate Plan?

Whether you have a whole lot of money or a little, an estate plan is essential. It protects you and your loved ones, and can also minimize taxes, expenses, fees and the loss of your privacy. A solid estate plan is created by an experienced estate planning attorney who...

How to Address an Estranged Child in Estate Plan

For most families, estate planning is a relatively straightforward task, protecting loved ones and preparing to distribute assets. But when parent-child relationships have frayed or fractured, estate planning becomes more complicated and emotional, according to the...