Estate Planning

There may be a situation in which you want to leave one of your heirs out of the will, meaning that they will not inherit anything. In some cases, parents do this because they’ve had a falling out with one of their children. But it could also be something positive,...

You may not realize it, but an important step in estate planning doesn’t involve any estate planning documents. It’s your beneficiary designations on your various accounts. This includes retirement accounts. If you’re a federal employee or retiree, you likely have a...

When you leave a will behind, your heirs will not take over the estate immediately after your demise. Your estate has to pass through probate, a court process that every estate has to go through. During probate, the court validates the will and oversees the estate's...

Not many milestones are as exciting as bringing a child into this world. However, many changes come with the arrival of a new baby.  One of the most important steps you need to take when you become a new parent is updating your estate plan. Keep in mind that as your...

When you create instructions for your estate, your children will probably be your main focus. Most parents want to pass along property that has emotional significance to their children while also providing them with financial support. You may imagine that your...

Did you know that some people create several wills over their lifetimes? When the contents of a will no longer meet their needs, many people just make a new one. You do not need to make a new will every time your life undergoes significant changes. Instead, you can...

Making an estate plan is a responsible thing to do as an adult, especially if you have children. With an estate plan, you can ensure that your spouse and kids receive your assets when you pass away. However, things in life change. When they do, your estate plan needs...

Whether you started your company or inherited it from a family member, it may be more valuable than any other single asset included in your estate plan. Like any other particularly valuable asset, a business requires careful consideration. Do you want it to remain...

Estate planning is important at any stage in your life, but some people believe that it isn't as important when they have young children. A lot of this has to do with their own age. They assume that they have years to worry about how they will pass their assets on to...

You are certainly not on your own if you don't have a will or any other documents for your estate plan. Studies have found that most people in the United States do not have a plan in place. It is more common for older individuals to have an estate plan, but even a lot...