A major goal of most estate planning is to avoid probate. Probate can provide a major hurdle to your heirs when it comes to accessing your assets after death. As long as your probate ties up your assets, your heirs will not be able to use them. A strategy that some...
Estate Planning Law Blog
Taking advantage of estate tax portability
While the estate planning process may seem complex to many people in Jackson, most might also assume that there are some simple general guidelines governing it. These likely include the need to be specific in one's administration plans, the importance of naming an...
Options for avoiding probate in New Jersey
Probate is the process of locating your assets after you die and distributing them to your heirs. Even when the process is fairly straightforward, e.g., when you have a will, it can take a long time and cost your heirs a lot of money. The amount of hassle that probate...
What can a simple will do for me?
It is easy to think of estate planning as something only for people in their golden years, or those who have high-net-worth. If neither of these apply to you, you may wonder why you need a will at all. In these situations, simple wills are the best choice. According...
The 4 steps to creating your will
Your will is one of the key documents in your estate. The American Bar Association states that your will outlines how to distribute your property after your death and who will receive these items. Creating a will is not a difficult process and will likely be the first...
What Are Your Excuses For Avoiding Estate Planning?
The Covid-19 pandemic has given most Americans a different perspective on their own lives. In general, it has made us all feel a little more vulnerable – physically and financially. Things that we once took for granted, including health and economic stability, are no...
Frequently asked questions about advance directives
Early this year, we discussed advance directives and their role in estate planning. An advance directive should be part of any estate plan, because it gives you the power to designate who should make decisions about your medical care after a major illness or accident...
Who needs a special needs trust?
As parents we will always worry about the well-being of our children. Even when they become adults and can take care of themselves, we still worry about our children. When we have child who has needs that are different we worry about what will happen to them should we...
Identifying an executor for your estate
Estate planning requires a person to evaluate many elements of their lives. It also encompasses a review of one's inner circle or trusted resources when determining who to name as the executor of the estate. Choosing an executor involves an evaluation of many traits...
How can you prevent family feuds over your estate plan?
Most people have heard horror stories about siblings contesting a will or fighting over their inheritance. As a parent, how can you create an estate plan and reduce the chance of your children fighting? There are some clear rules for your estate plan, according to...