10 Simple Steps to a Foolproof Estate Plan
Many individuals never think about how their possessions will be distributed once they die—perhaps because they simply lack knowledge about how estate planning is supposed to work. In this post, we’ll provide 10 simple steps you can use for creating an estate plan—and while these steps don’t cover every possible contingency, they will certainly provide […]
5 Reasons to Have an Estate Plan
When it comes to the benefits of estate planning, it’s important to not be too reductive. While it’s true that many individuals pursue estate planning for one simple reason—that is, to ensure their assets are properly transferred to their heirs—that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, there are a number of benefits […]
Napa Valley Wineries and Vineyards: Estate Planning for Farmers
Estate planning encompasses many different segments of the populations—from “ordinary” folks through the rich and famous. In fact, we’d contend that everyone needs to think seriously about estate planning—but estate planning needs can vary greatly from one segment of the population to the next. The agrarian business is a good example of this, and one […]
Even Celebrities Make Basic Estate Planning Mistakes, But You Don’t Have To
Statistics show that basic estate planning mistakes are common—and not just among “ordinary” people. Even the rich and famous can err, sometimes gravely. In recent years, we’ve seen headlines about celebrities who died without any estate planning measures in place at all—celebrities like Aretha Franklin and Prince, whose deaths came with no written will. And […]
Estate Planning Strategies to Keep Assets Within Your Family
Generally speaking, people want their material assets to remain in the family and passed down to a surviving spouse, children, or grandchildren. What may surprise you is just how often this doesn’t happen. Indeed, assets are sometimes lost over time, due to a wide variety of factors—but this fate can be avoided with the right […]
When End of Life Planning Becomes Urgent
Receiving a sudden, terminal diagnosis can come as a shock—not just emotionally, but also financially. These effects are made worse when the individual doesn’t have any kind of end of life estate planning in place, making it necessary to quickly make key legal and financial decisions while also coping with medical care. The good news […]
Understanding Living Wills
Estate planning isn’t just about having a will—though that’s certainly an important first step! It’s also not just about determining who gets what once you die—though again, that’s part of the equation. There’s actually a lot of further complexity to the estate planning process, including guardianship of children, and a number of other documents you […]
The Estate Executor’s Duties
Estate planning isn’t just about divvying up your assets or deciding who will become the guardian of your minor children should you die unexpectedly. It’s also about naming the individuals you trust to carry out your legal and financial affairs if you die or become incapacitated. This includes naming the estate executor. The executor is […]
Estate Planning for New Parents
Estate planning is all about preparing for the future—and that means more than just ensuring your finances are in order. It means being certain that the people you love and care for will be fully supported, even if you die unexpectedly. For new parents, there are some obvious implications here. Simply put, if you’ve had […]
Leaving a Legacy—Even if You Don’t Have Kids
All of us are interested in leaving a legacy, and somehow making our mark on the world. That’s true even for those of us who don’t have kids—whether by choice or due to circumstances beyond our control. (These days, fewer families in the U.S. choose to have children.) Certainly, you don’t have to have children […]
