During the initial stages of estate planning, one of the early questions you may face could be deciding between a will or a trust. Each person’s situation is unique, and your specific facts will determine the best course of action for you. It’s essential to note that estate planning is for all estates, so even…
Last week, my sister-in-law asked my husband and I to be the godparents of her soon-to-be-born daughter. Of course, we ecstatically agreed! We excitedly began discussing details surrounding the role we had just accepted – flying to California for the baptism, and future anticipated events – including her eventual wedding. Needless to say, we are…
“First comes love, then comes marriage…” is an old adage that no longer rings true in today’s society. Couples who are in committed, long term relationships do not always marry, for a multitude of reasons. Perhaps one partner, or both, have been married before and do not wish to marry again. Maybe marriage is not…
There are numerous benefits to estate planning, but one that cannot be discounted is the peace of mind that comes with having an estate plan in place. No matter how large or modest your estate, it is inevitable to question what will happen with your hard earned assets should something unexpected happen to you. The…
If you are wondering when you should start your estate planning…the answer is, “NOW!” When individuals ask me when a good time to star their estate plan is, I always advise that there is no such thing as starting your estate plan too early. And no, I do not just say that because it is…
I recently had the privilege of working with a husband and wife to complete their estate plan. The couple was young, with a daughter who had just turned two before they came to meet with me. Similar to many couples I work with who have children, they explained that it was the birth of their…
Estate planning is important for anyone to do – it provides peace of mind and security regarding the future of you and your loved ones. However, for first responders, estate planning is particularly important as their careers, by nature, carry a greater risk to their health and lives. Firefighters and police officers, for example, work…
Every parent wants to ensure that their children are provided for should something unexpected happen to them while their children are still young. Oftentimes, relatives wish to leave assets to young children, such as their nieces or grandchildren, as well. However, good intentions coupled with poor planning often have unintended results. Without a will in…
As an estate planning attorney, I have worked with individuals and couples who put off completing their estate plan out of anxiety regarding the process. Oftentimes, they anticipate that the process of completing their estate plan will require a lot of paperwork and legwork on their end. They are overwhelmed by the idea of planning…
