attorney erik eastham
Should you have Co-trustees when preparing your Estate Planning
When clients select a successor trustee for their trust, they frequently choose one person to serve as a successor trustee at a…
Basis: What You Need to Know
“Basis” is a term used frequently in tax law. But for many, the term is unfamiliar and intimidating—perhaps something they feel is…
Caught in the Undertow: How No Estate Plan (or a Bad One) Could Leave Your Family Overwhelmed
Many people love to spend part of their summer vacation at the beach, enjoying the ocean and sunshine. But there may be…
Living, Testamentary, and Constructive Trusts: Are They All the Same?
In the world of estate planning, terms that refer to legal documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives…
What Are the Rights of a Child Born Outside of Marriage?
Despite the prevailing view, children born to unmarried parents are commonplace. Historically, children in this category were treated poorly by both society…
Legal Requirements to Consider When Selecting an Executor
The person you choose to be your executor (sometimes called a personal representative) will play an extremely important role, as that person…
Selling a Deceased Loved One’s Real Estate: Things You Need to Know
After the death of a loved one, such as a parent, there are a variety of tasks that must be handled to…
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…
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…