Estate Planning: Make Sure Your Wishes are Honored

A medical power of attorney and living will are crucial estate planning steps, and like long term care insurance, must be set in place early in life for optimal protection.

Choosing Guardians for Children

The most important decision you'll make in your estate plan is appointing guardians for your minor children. Who you pick will impact not only your children but also the lives of your guardians. While you and your children may feel an affinity for a particular adult(s), that relationship could be strained in a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week environment. Where should you begin in picking a guardian?

Sometimes a Conservator can be a Good Thing!

The thought of having a conservator appointed for a parent or relative - even a friend or neighbor - is something we all seem to loath. It has all sorts of negative connotations, including the fact that a conserved individual will be paraded through the probate courts with psychiatric and medical evaluations open for all to see. But, most of all, it's the loss of dignity that results when the state declares an individual incapable - and takes away his or her right to vote, or marry, or divorce, or write a check, or pay a bill, or make any other meaningful decisions. It's a position that no one wants to come to in this life.

Powers Of Attorney Vs. Successor Trustees - Does One Have More Power Than The Other

Question: I am listed as the Successor trustee, my bother is listed as the Durable Power of Attorney for property management of my father's estate. Does one have more power than the other. Does the POA have the power to sell my dad's property or do I the successor? Thanks ahead of time - really confused. N.H.

Appointing A Financially Literate Executor

Choosing and appointing a financially literate executor is an important consideration when writing your will. He gives you and your beneficiaries peace of mind and the assurance of compensation to his customers.

Probate and Probate Avoidance

When an individual dies in Florida or while owning real property in Florida, probate is the procedure used to transfer his or her assets to the proper heirs. The procedure can be time consuming and expensive. However, with proper planning, the entire procedure can mostly be avoided.

Unsecured Personal Loans

There are many benefits when applying for an unsecured loan. One is the approval for this type of loan is relatively fast. This is because there is no need to look at collateral repayment in case of default. Unsecured loans are perfect for people who don’t own their own property or those with adverse credit. They can be used for a variety of reasons including debt consolidation, vacations, new cars, home improvements, etc.

Estate Tax Planning

Estate tax is the levy by the government against the taxable estate of a deceased person. Taxable estate means gross estate reduced by allowable deductions. Gross estate means total estate comprising the value of all assets owned by the deceased at the time of death. IRS determines taxable estate by subtracting from gross estate certain allowable deductions like funeral expenses paid out of the estate, debts outstanding at the time of death, estate administration expenses, charitable, marital, and deductions

Estate Planning - No Contest Clause in your Will

Over views the consideration of putting a no contest clause into one’s will if they feel the will is going to be heavily contested. Additionally, advises how courts react to such a clause and suggests an alternative consideration.

Estate Planning - Real Property Disbursement Problems

Over views some problems created by evenly splitting an intrest in real property between your heirs.

A Guide to Purchasing Real Estate in Mexico for Americans

For Americans buying their dream property in Mexico, it’s important to understand the differences between Mexico’s real estate system and that of the United States. It’s never safe to assume that any law or process is the same between the two systems, and oftentimes they are completely different.

Estate Planning and Your Pets

You have diligently outlined what should become of your children in the event of your death or disability. You’ve planned your estate, appointed guardians and possibly even shared your estate plan with family members and trusted caretakers. But doesn’t something feel as if it’s missing? Perhaps you need to plan provisions for what should become of your pets once you are no longer able to care for them.

Estate Planning – The Most Common Mistakes

Compiled is a list of some of the most common mistakes individuals make in estate planning. Please review the list, but also plan to meet with a qualified attorney to review your unique estate.

Why, What and When You Need Estate Planning

The modern process of estate planning begins with you making an inventory of all of your assets and creating a will. Often a trust is established to help minimize the tax burden that may be left along with your assets to your heirs.

Free Living Will and Free Living Will Forms Online

Looking for a free living will? If you are preparing your finances and other personal matters for your retirement and want to make sure that your family members are taken care of in the event of your death, you will need one. There are several useful sites online where you can download a free living will form to use for your needs. You can chose generic forms based on your state, as each state has different laws regarding living wills.