Often, when we think about estate planning, we just think about the people who are getting money and assets: the heirs. The goal is to transfer the estate to them smoothly and efficiently. The plan focuses on the family's well-being for years and even generations to...
Is your estate plan ready for a devastating natural event?
You likely watched the news or saw updates about the recent devastating wildfires in other parts of the country, leading to the complete devastation and ruin of entire communities. Many people in the path of these fires lost everything in their homes in a matter of a...
Can your family get rid of your do-not-resuscitate order?
End-of-life decisions can be complicated when someone's family members don't agree. Consider this scenario: You decide you want a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR), feeling that if it's your time, it's your time. You don't want the doctors to revive you when there is...
Does a will override a beneficiary designation?
Your parents have passed away, and you are reviewing their will with your siblings to see how they designated that their assets should be divided among you. You note that one significant asset that your parents had was a life insurance policy. However, it's a source...
Lack of communication can cost you in estate planning
When doing any type of estate planning and setting up assets for your heirs, make sure that you communicate with them about your wishes and your plans for the future. A lack of communication can lead to some critical errors that may prove very costly. For instance,...
