As you make your will, you may be given the option to name an executor of the estate. An executor is responsible for fulfilling your last wishes and settling your estate. Anyone of legal age can be your executor. However, you may want to pick someone who is trusted...
Learning you have developed a terminal illness is both emotional and challenging, to say the least. Once the immediate shock fades, it is not uncommon to begin thinking about more practical matters. For instance, how you want your final days to pass and how to provide...
Did you know that you can add a beneficiary designation to your bank account? You can turn it into a payable-on-death account. When you pass away, then the beneficiary takes over control. Of course, you could always just list the money from that bank account in your...
Family members and other beneficiaries or heirs often take some comfort in inheriting from an estate. Individuals planning for the future often go to great lengths to leave the resources that their loved ones may require along with assets that may have emotional value...
As people age, it’s not unusual to face serious illnesses, and understanding the range of care options that are available can help you plan for the future. Two commonly confused forms of patient care that are often used are palliative care and hospice. Although they...
One of the primary goals of estate planning for many people is avoiding probate. It can be a long, stressful, potentially costly process for loved ones. It also makes the details of your estate public to anyone who wants to see them. There are numerous ways to pass...
Many couples choose not to marry, but they remain lifelong, committed partners. While they may not feel the need to codify their relationship with a marriage certificate, they nonetheless need to take some legal steps to protect and provide for each other if one...
There is more to estate planning than outlining your instructions in a will. You want to ensure your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes while providing for your loved ones’ future needs. Integrating a trust into your estate plan can help...
Most older adults want to live comfortably after they retire. Frequently, the goal is to stay at home for as long as possible in their golden years. Too many older adults assume that they can maintain their health instead of preparing for the worst-case scenario in...
When you’re setting up a trust, you can certainly choose specific instructions that you want to give to the trustee. A common example is saying that they can only pay the beneficiary for college tuition or other educational costs. You may have set it up this way...