There are two sides to consider when you think about the subject of last will challenges. The first thought that may come to mind is that some disgruntled party is unwilling to accept the final wishes of a deceased individual. To prevent successful challenges when you know that there could be those who are not happy with your decisions you should explain your concerns to your estate planning attorney. He or she will gain an understanding of the situation and take this into consideration when … [Read more...] about Challenging a Last Will
Wills and Trusts
Steps Involved in Creating a Trust
Throughout your life, you will likely review and revise your estate plan numerous times to reflect the changes to your family and to your assets. At some point, there is a good chance that you will consider adding a living trust to your estate plan. Working with an experienced trust attorney is the best way to ensure that your trust is drafted and executed correctly. In the meantime, however, a Warren living trust attorney explains the steps involved in creating a living trust. Narrow down … [Read more...] about Steps Involved in Creating a Trust
Trust Administration 101 for the First-Time Trustee
Although a Last Will and Testament remains the most common estate planning document, a trust agreement isn’t far behind in terms of popularity. One reason trusts have become so common within the average estate plan is that there are numerous different types of trusts that are each geared to help achieve a specific estate planning goal. One thing all trusts have in common, however, is the need for a Trustee to administer the trust. If you recently learned that someone named you as the Trustee of … [Read more...] about Trust Administration 101 for the First-Time Trustee
What Is a Trust and How Can It Enhance My Estate Plan?
Estate planning can be an exciting process, but there’s no denying that it can be complex and confusing too. For many people who lack familiarity with estate planning techniques, various tools like powers of attorney and trusts can often seem like foreign concepts. Still, those tools can often mean the difference between an inefficient plan and one that can resolve a wide variety of different planning needs. And since the trust is one of the most important tools in any estate planning arsenal, … [Read more...] about What Is a Trust and How Can It Enhance My Estate Plan?
Key Facts About the Medicaid Special Needs Trust
Long-term care is something that large numbers of us will eventually need at some point in the future. Unfortunately, nursing home costs have been rising for many years now, and current forecasts for future costs suggest that there’s likely to be little relief for those retire in the next few decades. And with most Americans having less than $10,000 in retirement savings, it’s fair to assume that many of us will struggle to come up with viable ways to pay for our long-term care needs when they … [Read more...] about Key Facts About the Medicaid Special Needs Trust
Read Our Report to Learn About Trust Administration
Postmortem planning is something that you must take into consideration if you want to leave behind a self-actualizing estate dynamic. Working with an estate planning lawyer to construct legally binding documents is part of the process, but you also have to plan ahead with the eventual administration of the estate in mind. Certain steps must be taken after your passing to get the wheels in motion. If you utilize a last will to express your final wishes you choose an executor or executrix, and … [Read more...] about Read Our Report to Learn About Trust Administration
Obtain Our Report Examining DIY Last Wills
There are various options available to you when you are looking ahead toward the inevitable, and you really should not automatically assume that a last will is the best choice for you. However, many individuals make assumptions and they go forward without professional advice. As a result they sometimes choose courses of action that yield unintended negative consequences. You should certainly discuss your unique situation with a good estate planning lawyer before you decide on a last will as a … [Read more...] about Obtain Our Report Examining DIY Last Wills
Estate Planning as a Grandparent
Estate planning as a grandparent can include providing educational opportunities if you have grandchildren who are still of school age. People who are exposed to the federal estate tax can gain tax efficiency by doing this, and of course providing your grandchildren with the opportunity to help themselves is certainly a good investment. Why would paying for education provide tax benefits? This is because of the fact that you may pay the college tuition of students without incurring any gift … [Read more...] about Estate Planning as a Grandparent
Providing for Individuals With Disabilities
Deciding how you will arrange for asset transfers for the benefit of those that you love is part of the estate planning process. You don't have to give direct inheritances to each individual, and in many cases this is actually not the best course of action. Every family is unique, and this is why it is important to discuss your future with a good central New Jersey estate planning lawyer. Experienced professional guidance is the key to a well constructed estate plan that covers all your bases … [Read more...] about Providing for Individuals With Disabilities
Living Trusts, Asset Protection, & Medicaid Eligibility
People sometimes make inaccurate assumptions about various estate planning instruments. With this in mind we would like to take a look at a couple of misconceptions that are harbored by some individuals about revocable living trusts. The perception is that you are divesting yourself of personal ownership of the resources that you place into the trust. This can lead some people to believe that assets that have been placed into the trust are not subject to attachment by creditors or … [Read more...] about Living Trusts, Asset Protection, & Medicaid Eligibility