Failing to Appoint Trusted Decision Makers

While Halloween, The Exorcist, or The Shining may top your list as some of the scariest horror films ever, I Care a Lot is the stuff of real-life nightmares. The movie I...

What Happens if Your Account and Property Ownership Do Not Match Your Estate Plan?

Have you been lulled into a false sense of security because you have “done” your estate plan? Unfortunately, one of the dirtiest tricks that...

Hold an inheritance in trust instead of giving it to a beneficiary outright. Had the brokerage account in the above scenario been held by a properly drafted trust of which your child was the beneficiary instead of being left to your...

A traffic ticket can be expensive, but it is important to understand that ignoring a traffic ticket does not make it go away and could actually result in additional fines, suspension of your license, or even a warrant for your arrest....

Keep calm and still, with your hands on the steering wheel. You should stay in your vehicle, avoid making any sudden movements, and keep your hands in sight on the steering wheel. If you need to move, you should tell the...

#1 Establish a Comprehensive Plan Most estate planning attorneys will say that no person should use a “do-it-yourself” will kit to establish their estate plan.  If you have a child with special needs, it is extremely important to seek competent legal counsel from an...

Preparing for the future is an uncertain business, but there are steps you can take during your lifetime to simplify matters for your loved ones after you pass, and to ensure your final wishes are carried out. Planning for what happens to your property, or who...

If you are married for the first time and are working on your estate plan, the decisions about where the assets go are usually easy. Most parents in that situation want their entire estate to go to the surviving spouse, and upon the death of the...

Properly drafted estate planning documents are integral to the success of your legacy and end-of-life wishes.  Iron-clad estate planning documents, written by a knowledgeable attorney can make the difference between the success and failure of having your wishes carried out.  However, there’s more to estate planning...

Glossary of Estate Planning Terms Will - a written document specifying a person’s wishes concerning his or her property distribution upon his or her death. In order to be enforced by a court of law, a will must be signed in accordance...