What Happens if I Die Without a Will? Most people own some form of property when they die. Whether it is real property (real estate), personal property (jewelry, furniture, art, collectibles, etc.), securities or any other form of property, the property owned by the deceased must go to someone else. But what happens if they…
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What Do I Need to Know About Choosing a Guardian for My Minor Children? A lot of the decisions people have to make when they create their estate plan are relatively easy. The house goes to this person, the money goes to that person, the jewelry and heirlooms get split up between the children, etc. …
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The bad news: When someone passes away and their estate (all of their money and property) has to go through probate (the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s money and property), it can get expensive with court costs, attorneys, accountants, appraisers, personal representatives and the like. Depending on the probate’s complexity and the state’s…
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One of the most common reasons people cite for preparing their estate plan is that they want to avoid probate and keep their affairs private. What is probate? Probate is the court process of confirming the validity of the deceased persons’ will (if any) and transferring the assets from the deceased person to the heirs. …
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As the coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life and leave Americans uncertain of the future, you don’t have to feel helpless during this pandemic. In fact, now is a great time to be proactive and plan ahead should you or a loved one fall ill. One of the most important and relatively easy things you…
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You have recently divorced your spouse and the judge has signed the divorce decree. Now what? Although you may feel as though you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney. Estate planning after divorce is critical to ensure your wishes…
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Your spouse: your other half. You have searched for and found the love of your life, maybe your first love, or maybe after a previous marriage. As you have built your life together, you have probably weathered your fair share of storms and grown stronger because of them. To prepare for the future and the…
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On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. It will have a positive impact for many older Americans but could have negative tax consequences for many…
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Welcome to 2020! A new year is a time for optimism and new opportunities. It is a time to start fresh and make sure you are headed in the right direction. But making New Year’s resolutions is not enough: Take action now to ensure that you and your family or loved ones are prepared for…
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November is National Adoption Month, aimed at raising awareness about adoption and the children who need permanent, loving homes. Thousands of children are adopted each year, bringing much joy to their adoptive families. If you are in the process of adopting or have recently adopted a child, it is a great time to create or…
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An estate plan will help ease your anxieties and worries, giving you the peace of mind knowing that your family will be taken care of. In 2008, Congress recognized the need for the public to understand the importance and benefits of estate planning by passing House Resolution 1499, which designated the third week of October…
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Planning your summer vacation (or any vacation!) is a stressful task. You have to coordinate across various times and places, and usually, you also have to work with companies that may or may not be helpful (hello, every airline ever). All of this is can be a headache, but what about the travel anxieties that…
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