A good estate plan contains many different elements, and as a result it is important to take an organized approach to starting the process. Answering some basic questions can help get your estate planning moving smoothly: • Who is going to take care of your loved ones and minor children? • Will your loved ones…

We all have certain things, like banking records, that we hide away to protect them from predators who might wish to access them and cause us harm. Chances are that you have a variety of confidential records hidden away in safes or safety deposit boxes or filed electronically and password protected. While you may have all this information carefully stored away in the confines of your memory banks, it is important to remember that there will come a time when someone else, like the executor of your estate, will need access to that information.

If you have already done the necessary work of drafting a Will, it is important to remember to review it regularly. Most people seldom bother to review their Wills, causing them to pass up the chance to make any changes and ensure that the document is still an accurate reflection of their wishes. While it may seem easier to tuck your will away and forget about it once it is written, this strategy ignores the fact that circumstances change.

Many people sincerely intend to create a Will, but most do not actually follow through with their intentions. This is unfortunate since a well-written Will addresses many concerns that you and your family members have about your wishes and your estate. There will never be a “perfect time” to draft a will, which is why…

Many people are adding a living will to their estate planning to ensure that correct choices will be made in the event they are incapacitated. This is a difficult situation to consider, but it is necessary since a living will is the only way that you can let your loved ones know what you want in certain medical and health situations.

A common mistake people make when writing a Will is leaving all assets to one family member, usually a spouse. While there may be certain tax benefits to giving all of your estate to your spouse, there are greater benefits to making sure all family members, especially children, are going to be well cared for.…

Many people forgo drafting a will because they think that Wills are only necessary for people who have large estates to divide. This is a mistake for a couple of reasons. First, most people are worth more than they realize. Once you add up your assets, home, vehicle(s), jewelry, any investments or savings accounts, you may be surprised at how much you have to leave to your family.

Probate is the court-supervised process of finalizing a person’s affairs and distributing his or her property after death. This becomes necessary if someone dies without a Will or any other estate planning provisions in place. A special probate court handles all aspects of administering an estate in the absence of other legal planning.

Using only your Will to leave benefits to a child with special needs may actually work against their future financial security. Gifts and funds that are Willed directly to an individual can in reality become an asset for the state. Since such funds are considered to be income, they may cause your loved one to…

If your loved one is in a nursing home, that home is going to be their residence for an indefinite amount of time. It is very important to know that they are truly getting the best care available. Since your loved one will be dependant on the care provided by the nursing home facility, they…