FAQs About Dying Without A Will

Will The State Get All My Assets If I Die Without A Will?

The law gives you the freedom to decide how and to whom your assets are distributed when you die by making a Will. If you die without…

Planning for Special Circumstances

Can Your Spouse Handle Your Financial Affairs?

Often in marriages, one spouse ends up handling most of the couple’s financial affairs. The division of responsibilities doesn’t always fall along gender lines. Typically, the…

Odds and Ends

In Memory of Jake

My family experienced the full spectrum of emotions last week. We started the week celebrating my brother’s wedding, and ended it grieving the death of my father-in-law,…

FAQs About Estate Planning

You’ve Signed Your Estate Planning Documents…Now What?

Once you’ve signed your estate planning documents—your will, powers of attorney and other important paperwork—you’re more prepared than most Americans. However, you’re not out of the woods…

Planning for Special Circumstances

Three Dangerous Consequences of Putting Off Estate Planning

Any attorney can tell you it’s best to create your will while you’re healthy and in full command of all your resources. Unfortunately, though, some people just…

FAQs About Estate Planning

Does an IRA Beneficiary Designation Override a Will?

I recently received a note from a woman whose mother had recently passed away. Her mother’s Will directed that her estate be divided equally among her three…

Newsworthy

How To Talk With A Friend Who Is Sick

At some point in our lives, most of us will know someone who is facing a life-threatening illness. We’ll want to help, but may not know just…

Special Needs Trusts

Guidance For Trustees of Special Needs Trusts

If you have been named as the trustee of a special needs trust, you likely have many questions about how to administer the trust. You can…

Special Needs Trusts

Should I Disinherit My Disabled Child to Protect His Benefits?

Parents whose children are receiving government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid, know that those benefits are means-tested. Those with countable assets greater than…

Medical Powers of Attorney and Directives

Can a Comatose Patient Communicate End-Of-Life Wishes?

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned an article I read recently about a study that suggested 20 percent of the tens of…