The period following the death of a loved one is an emotional time. Dealing with the death and receiving an inheritance brings mixed emotions. The loss of a loved one is sad but the influx of funds can bring joy or relief. It can be hard to think and plan objectively. After receiving an inheritance,
Inheritance Mistakes to Avoid Read More »
When creating a special needs trust (SNT) for a loved one with a disability, the grantor (the person funding the trust) often serves as the first trustee. However, choosing a successor trustee is just as important. This person will manage the trust long-term and must act in the beneficiary’s best interest. Trusts usually operate on
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Getting a divorce is rarely easy. It can be emotional, stressful, and complex. The decisions you make during this process will affect your financial future, family relationships, and long-term plans. For younger couples, child custody and support may be the biggest concerns. For older couples, the focus often shifts to homes, retirement accounts, trusts, inherited
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There are many situations in which equal division of assets among children is the obvious and right choice. Yet, in some families, each child receiving the same inheritance can be inappropriate, deplete the estate’s assets due to ensuing litigation, or cause other family issues after you are gone. While the answers depend on your family
Should Each Child Receive the Same Inheritance? Read More »
Protecting Loved Ones from Undue Influence As people age or face serious illness, they can become vulnerable to manipulation by those seeking to defraud or exploit them. When someone pressures or deceives an older person into changing their estate plan, attorneys call it “undue influence.” This is a serious form of elder abuse. Undue influence
Estate Planning and Undue Influence Over a Will-maker Read More »