Helping You Through Times of Change
Nowadays, many people find happiness in a new marriage following a divorce or death of a spouse. In fact, approximately 40% of all marriages involve at least one partner who is entering a second marriage. In some of these families, either or both partners may have...
Skipping a generation when transferring your assets can prevent paying the federal estate taxes twice. However, this process is not entirely tax-exempt. A generation-skipping transfer tax applies to transfers to relatives more than one generation younger and gifts to...
If you pass away without a will, the state considers you to have died “intestate.” This means that the court will decide the distribution of your properties among your heirs. Depending on the complexity of your assets and the response of your beneficiaries, the...
It is no secret that probate is a complex process and involved parties come across issues more often than not. Nonetheless, anticipating potential roadblocks in probate allows for better preparation. It can lead to a smoother process and potentially reduce the time...
Your pet is more than just an animal, they are your family. They are a living, furry confidant who has provided you joy like no other. Yet, have you considered what may happen to your animal companion if something unexpected happens to you? Few people do. In...
Talks on creating trusts, wills and estate plans often involve people aged 50 and above. They usually have worked for many years, bought properties or are supporting dependents. Estate planning, though, doesn’t only apply to experienced individuals. Any adult in...
When creating their estate plan, many individuals believe that a will is sufficient to ensure their wishes are carried out after their passing. However, this is a common misconception in estate planning. While a will is an essential component of an estate plan, it is...
Probate is often a complex process involving various parties, making it more challenging to navigate based on the circumstances. If the deceased left a will, it could provide direction on what to do with the estate. However, this document can also have different legal...
An essential part of the duties of an estate’s personal representative is to diligently search, identify and notify all interested parties, such as heirs and beneficiaries, of the probate filing. The personal representative must practice due diligence in locating all...
Wills play a crucial role in probate since they specify deceased estate owners’ wishes as to the distribution of their assets. However, it is not uncommon in probate cases for wills to go missing or for a deceased individual to not leave one at all. When these happen,...
