Top 3 Reasons You Need an Up-to-Date Estate Plan

There are some common beliefs you may have about estate planning that may be inaccurate: that having a will avoids probate, being married means everything a spouse owns goes to their surviving spouse, and a person does not need an estate plan if they own few assets. Understand the importance of having an up-to-date estate plan and learn how it not only contemplates what happens after your death, but also protects you and your loved ones if you become incapacitated. While there are many reasons to establish and update an estate plan, this article is going to focus on the top three.

Five Mistakes Successor Trustees Make (and How to Prevent Them)

When establishing a trust, you must give serious thought to who you choose as your successor trustee—the person who will manage, invest, and hand out the trust’s accounts and property once you are no longer able to do so. Even the most capable, well-intentioned successor trustees can make mistakes when managing affairs, however. Here are five surprisingly common mistakes along with steps to take to prevent them from happening.

Why Title Matters

Real estate can take on different forms of ownership depending upon the number of parties and the unique circumstances involved. Understanding how your real estate is owned, or “titled,” is necessary because this determines the extent of control you have over your real estate, how susceptible your property is to creditors, and what will happen to it upon your death.

The Importance of You and Your Loved Ones Having an Estate Plan

An estate plan can provide significant peace of mind by ensuring that your money and property are protected, plans are in place in the event you become ill, and your accounts and property pass down according to your wishes. Read this article to learn more about the key elements of an estate plan you should consider and how to talk to your loved ones about creating an estate plan.

Which life events require an immediate estate plan update?

Because your family’s needs and circumstances are constantly changing, so too must your estate plan. Your plan must be updated when certain life changes occur. These include, but are not limited to: marriage, the birth or adoption of a new family member, divorce, the death of a loved one, a significant change in assets, and a move to a new state or country.