Every new project has to begin somewhere, and most newcomers to estate planning choose to begin with a will. A will is the most well-known of all estate planning documents, it is generally the simplest and easiest to create (although some wills can be very lengthy and complex), and in most states a will can… Read More »
Posts Tagged: Executor
Simple Steps Now Can Help Your Executor Later On
Being named as the executor of the estate of a deceased loved one comes with many challenges, including dealing with the probate system. But one of the most difficult (and least discussed) challenges is sorting through the plethora of paper and information that people collect over the course of a lifetime. You can save your… Read More »
Understanding Your Last Will and Testament
Although recent news surrounding the estate tax—both its repeal and its reinstatement—has died down, many people are still talking about their estate plans. Most people recognize that now is the time to create their estate plan, or to review and update their existing plan if they have one. This means that many people are asking… Read More »
What Is Probate?
With all the recent news about what will happen with estate taxes, the process of probate has come up quite a bit. Sometimes probate is mentioned in a low-key, matter-of-fact kind of way; at other times it is presented as something scary, and to be avoided at all costs. We know our readers have seen… Read More »
Executors and Agents: Choosing Your Own Replacement
When people think about estate planning they generally think about inheritance, or taxes, or even guardianship—but rarely are the words “executor” or “agent” the first ones that come to mind. And yet, choosing your executor or your agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Your executor is the person who carries… Read More »
Jane Austen’s Will: It Used to Be So Easy
Many clients are shocked when they see the sheer volume of paper in a truly well-done estate plan. A trust by itself can be hundreds of pages, not to mention the other 6 to 16 documents you may or may not have—depending on your family situation. You may find that the “simple” estate plan you… Read More »
How To Choose Your Executor or Personal Representative
Serving as someone’s executor or personal representative under a Last Will and Testament can be a HUGE job, and may not be right for the faint of heart. Although nomination is commonly considered an honor, there is a lot of work involved, and an executor must have a great capacity for organization, attention to detail, the ability… Read More »
Defining Probate
Probate: [from the Middle-English probat, from Latin probatum…] a : the action or process of proving before a competent judicial authority that a document offered for official recognition and registration as the last will and testament of a deceased person is genuine. b : the judicial determination of the validity of a will. This Merriam-Webster… Read More »
Do You Need A Will Or A Trust?
When it comes to estate planning there are two major vehicles for the distribution of property: A will and a trust. Both are very useful tools and can accomplish specific goals—but how do you know which one is best for your family? Which document you will need depends on a number of factors, some of… Read More »
The Importance of Being Earnest
Do you have a will or a trust? Has your will or trust been reviewed or updated in the past 3-5 years? If you answered yes to these questions then you are two steps ahead of 2/3 of the rest of Americans. But the next question is the big one: Does your family or executor… Read More »