Dementia is an illness that usually strikes in old age. It robs a person of their memory and can lead to the afflicted person becoming a danger to themselves. In advanced stages, dementia can lead to the body’s “forgetting” even involuntary actions, such as how to...

Naming your beneficiaries is a crucial step in ensuring your property passes to your intended parties after you pass away. You can name beneficiaries in your will, trust, insurance policies, and retirement accounts. However, naming your beneficiaries is just one part...

The short answer to the question above is, Yes. The slightly longer answer is that it is possible to avoid probate, but only under certain circumstances and only if parties take specific steps. How to avoid probate The necessity of the probate process is determined...

Leaving a gift to a charitable organization may very well be a crucial goal for you as you develop your estate plan. Establishing a trust could be one way to accomplish this, but there are several different options to consider. One such option is a charitable...

One of the top estate planning priorities people have is to protect their assets from seizure and maximize their value. They want their property to benefit their loved ones, not creditors. If you have assets you want to shield from creditors, as well as lawsuits and...

It can be complicated to put real estate into your estate plan to pass on to your loved ones. But it’s also true that your real property may comprise some of the most valuable and expensive assets that you own. You certainly need to know how to pass this on to the...

A will serves as a person's legal declaration of their wishes for the distribution of their estate. However, for too many willmakers with diminished capacity, a will becomes a tool for someone else to use for their own financial gain. Under these circumstances,...

When you think about inheritance, you might imagine a large sum of money or some valuable property that someone hands down to grateful beneficiaries. However, the fact is that not all property is desirable. In fact, some can create problems or financial demands that...

The limited liability company (LLC) is a popular business structure that offers liability protection and avoidance of double taxation. Trusts are popular asset transfer vehicles that allow you to avoid probate and keep assets out of the hands of creditors. By placing...

When making your estate plan, you want to be sure it is comprehensive and legally enforceable. But does it also accurately reflect your values and beliefs? Following are some tips for ensuring it does. Think beyond logistics The details of your estate plan—everything...