People like stories, and I have gathered a few in the years I have practiced law. During the time I have been representing people doing estate planning and handling estates, I have seen many things, both good and bad, that are examples of what to do and what not to...
Professional Service With A Personal Touch
Trusts
Avoiding Probate is a Matter of Trust
“Avoiding probate” is a buzz word that is often used and sometimes confused. Many people don't understand the probate process, even by people who are quite sure it should be avoided. For instance, Wills do not “avoid probate”, and probate does not subject an estate to...
Joint Trust or Separate Trusts?
(c) Can Stock Photo I do a lot of estate planning for spouses, and one topic comes up over and over again. When I have clients who want to make life easier for their loved ones and avoid probate, the best way to do that is to use living trusts. The question, then...
Tale of Two Estate Planning Stories
During the time that I have been representing people doing estate planning, handling probate estates and other estate administration and similar matters, I have come across many, many stories, both good and bad, of examples what to do and what not to do in regard to...
Choosing a Fiduciary
THE EXECUTOR I had a friend who died and he, On earth so loved and trusted me, That ere he quit this earthly shore, He made me his executor. He tasked me through my natural life, To guard the interests of his wife, To see that everything was done, Both for his...
Estate Planning Trend (or the Lack Thereof)
The sign is a clue to what a recent article in the Trusts & Estate section of WealthManagement.com identifies as a trend away from estate planning and, therefore, toward more probating of estates. (The Shift from Estate Planning to Estate Probating) In other...
Five Basic Guidelines for Choosing a Trustee
Other aspects of estate planning are more complex, but choosing a trustee is one of the more difficult decisions to make. People are encouraged to choose several trustees in order of succession, but sometimes choosing any trustees can be difficult in light of family...
The Difference Between Executors & Trustees
People often confuse executors and trustees. Both roles are fundamental to estate planning, but the roles are distinctly different. Understanding the difference between is essential to estate planning. Simply put, executors are to Wills what trustees are to Trusts. An...
“Avoiding Probate”: A Matter of Trust
“Avoiding probate” is a buzz word that is often stated and sometimes confused. The probate process is often misunderstood, even by people who are sure it should be avoided. Wills do not “avoid probate”, and probate does not subject an estate to taxation, though both...