Estate planning attorneys are often asked where original estate planning documents—wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives—should be stored for safekeeping. While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, consider the following: Should you store your original estate planning documents in your safe deposit box? Some people believe that the best place to store their original…[...]

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Fighting over provisions in your will or trust can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your financial legacy, and tear your loved ones apart. However, with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a potentially disastrous fight. If you are concerned about challenges to your estate plan, consider the following: 1. Do not attempt do-it-yourself solutions If you are…[...]

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Many estate plans contain revocable living trusts that will become irrevocable (cannot be easily changed or terminated) when the grantor dies. Such trusts may benefit the surviving spouse during their lifetime and may continue for the benefit of several additional generations. Because these trusts can be designed to span multiple decades, it is crucial to choose the right succession of…[...]

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Even if the process is amicable, divorce can be one of life’s most stressful events. With so many major changes taking place, it’s easy to forget to update your estate plan—or simply put it off until it’s too late. After all, dealing with yet another lawyer is probably the last thing you want to do. However, neglecting to update your…[...]

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After the excitement of Valentine’s Day fades away and the last indulgence of chocolate is savored, it’s crucial to turn our attention to a topic that may not be as thrilling as the idea of everlasting love: the reality that all relationships come to an end one day. Before you stop reading, hear me out. Whether it’s a breakup, divorce,…[...]

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The July 2024 passing of beloved Gen X actress Shannen Doherty offers important lessons about estate planning during divorce. Known for her iconic roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Heathers” and “Charmed,” Doherty not only faced a courageous and public battle with breast cancer but also raced against time to finalize her divorce and protect her estate. Her story shows why…[...]

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Many people believe that once they’ve created a trust, they can simply file it away and forget about it. But just like your health needs regular check-ups, your whole estate plan, including your trust, requires periodic reviews to ensure your plan will work for your loved ones, and not fail when they need it. Think about it this way: Would…[...]

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A common misconception is that only wealthy individuals and people in high-risk professions, such as doctors or lawyers, need an asset protection plan. However, anyone can be sued. A car accident, foreclosure, unpaid medical bills, or an injured tenant can result in a monetary judgment that could crush your finances. What Is Asset Protection Planning? Asset protection planning uses legal…[...]

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Many people believe that once they set up a revocable living trust and change the ownership of their accounts and property from themselves as individuals to their trust, those accounts and property are protected from lawsuits. This is not true. While trusts commonly protect a beneficiary’s inheritance, few trusts protect assets (accounts and property) previously owned by the trustmaker from the trustmaker’s creditors.…[...]

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It has been said that the only thing harder than being an addict is loving one. It can be particularly difficult for a parent to bring a child into the world, full of hopes and dreams about their future, and then watch them spiral down into addiction. Having someone in your life who struggles with substance abuse is never easy,…[...]

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