Crossing Borders: When Your Estate Plan Does Not Travel with You
If you travel internationally, you may not realize that your estate plan will not automatically follow you across
foreign borders. Plans written around US laws may not be recognized or function as intended in other countries.
Making Sense of Per Stirpes, by Representation, and Per Capita Distributions
The terms used in estate planning such as per stirpes, by representation, and the various forms of per capita distribution are most easily understood by examining how each method treats the share of a beneficiary who does not survive the testator.
Snowbirds: What You Need to Know About Renting Out Your Property
Snowbirds, before heading south and renting your home, be sure to consider the financial, legal, tax, insurance, and practical responsibilities involved.
Considerations Before You Head South for the Winter
For many snowbirds, cooler weather means it is time to head south. If you are thinking about heading for warmer weather this winter, there are a few things you should consider before hitting the road.
How to Protect Your Great Ideas or Works for Your Family
Your money, home, and vehicles are not the only assets that should be addressed in your estate plan. You should also consider your intellectual property, including any rights and income associated with it. Here is how to protect it.
Dorms, Leases, and Liability: The Hidden Risks of College Housing Contracts
When a child heads off to college, You may no longer physically be your college student’s “roommate,” but when you sign their housing documents, you may be agreeing to share legal and financial responsibility for the space even though, as their parent, you no longer have the legal right to oversee what happens there. Know the risks!
The Invisible Estate: Do Not Let Your Loyalty Points Die with You
Rewards and loyalty points rarely make it into an estate plan either, even though their accumulated worth may represent real financial value. To keep your points from expiring when you do, they should be inventoried, documented, and directly addressed in your estate plan.
A Dementia Diagnosis Changes More Than Healthcare: Legal Moves to Make While You Still Can
A dementia diagnosis is not just medical; it also carries legal implications. Depending on the diagnosis and its progression, there may still be time to act while legal capacity remains.
Estate Planning After Remarriage
Remarriage offers another chance at love and stability. It also introduces estate planning risks that need to be addressed before walking down the aisle.
When an Adult Child Has a Crisis: How an Emergency Can Reshape Your Estate Plan
There may be times when your adult children need you just as much. Helping them through a crisis, however, may require a different kind of support than it once did—one that protects both their future and yours.
Legal Steps to Take When You First Notice Memory Problems
If someone is experiencing early stages of dementia or another cognitive condition, it raises an urgent question: What can you do right now, while they can still participate in making decisions?
Types of Life Insurance and How They Can Be Used in Estate Planning
Because there are several types of life insurance available, it is important to understand the primary options and how they differ.