What Happens If My Beneficiary Dies Before Me?
When planning for death, most people assume they will die before their beneficiaries (e.g., their spouse, children, and grandchildren). While these assumptions…
Seven Ways to Avoid Family Fights over Your Property
Ask a group of friends if they have experienced a family fight over property after a loved one has died, and you…
How to Talk to Mom and Dad about Creating an Estate Plan
Conversations about death and dying are rarely fun. Most people avoid them because they invoke feelings about our inevitable demise. Broaching this…
Estate Tax Returns—Not as Scary as They Sound
When an individual passes away, tax issues are one of the many things that must be considered. For most individuals who pass…
Why Your Heirs or Beneficiaries May Receive a Smaller Inheritance Than You Thought
Although it is rare for anyone to look forward to the passing of a loved one, many people cannot help wondering about…
Should You Own Your Timeshare in Your Trust?
Timeshares have come a long way since they first arrived in the real estate market back in the ’70s. In the early…
Ways to Leave Your Real Estate to Your Loved Ones (and the Pros and Cons)
Owning real estate continues to be a very popular investment vehicle for individuals and couples alike. One attractive feature of investing in…
You Inherited a Retirement Account: Now What?
For decades, common financial planning wisdom has encouraged almost all American workers to maximize their contributions to qualified retirement accounts. Indeed, doing…
Severing Joint Ownership of Property
One of the most common forms of property ownership in the United States is joint tenancy with rights of survivorship (JTWROS or…
My Loved One Has Died: As an Heir or Beneficiary, Do I Need an Attorney?
You just found out that your favorite aunt, Aunt Melba, has died. In the midst of your grief and sadness, you receive…