Signing up for life insurance and a 401(k) can be an important part of your estate plan. These assets allow you to designate someone to receive the proceeds from the account or insurance policy. However, you will likely have to revisit your choice of beneficiary later...
Estate Planning
3 tips for choosing the right executor for your will
Writing a will is an important step toward completing your estate plan and ensuring that your loved ones will be well cared for in the event of an untimely tragedy. Before your will is complete, however, you must name a trusted individual who will oversee the...
How can you update your will?
Creating a will is one of the essential steps to estate planning. Without it, you leave your assets up to state law. But what if you need to edit your original will? As you get older, your circumstances change, so you will want to account for those changes. Adjusting...
What exactly happens if you die without a will?
While you undoubtedly understand the importance of showing up to work, eating healthy meals and taking your medication, other things are easy to put off. Writing a will falls into this category, as it may not seem particularly pressing. In fact, about 54% of Americans...
What are the responsibilities of an executor to a will?
When an individual makes a will, he or she chooses an executor, or personal representative, to handle his or her estate after death. While many people choose a trusted family member or friend as executor, it is important to know the role may take a considerable amount...
Equal vs. equitable: Why the distinction matters in estate plans
Inheritances are among the most commonly disputed elements of an estate plan. If you are a parent, you can make decisions that minimize the chances of fighting among your children. One way to do this is to be mindful of whether you leave equal or equitable gifts to...
Thinking about estate planning? How to get started
We are living in uncertain times, and with that can come feelings of fear and loss of control. Although we cannot predict the future, we can make a plan to help us navigate it under various circumstances and cope with these feelings. Creating an estate plan is one way...
What estate planning moves do you need to make in divorce?
There is nothing easy about divorce, but if you already have an estate plan in place, you may find that your divorce is more complicated than others. In addition to trying to meet your legal obligations as a divorcee, you also need to exercise as much control over...
Creating an estate plan? Use this checklist
January is over, but you still have time to take care of one major resolution for the new year: creating an estate plan. Nobody likes to think about the end of their life, especially after a rousing holiday season of fun, family and cheer. But an estate plan is...