Most people don’t think of a storage unit as part of their estate. It’s just a place where extra furniture goes, or holiday decorations, or boxes from the last move that never quite got unpacked. But here’s what happens when the person paying rent on that unit passes away: the rental agreement doesn’t end. Rent keeps accruing. The facility’s … [Read more...]
How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
I’m going to answer this question like a good lawyer. It depends. :-) It depends on if you and your family have experienced major changes - thus, updating your estate plan for some, might be one year after you create it and for others it could be 3 or 5 years. But ultimately, what is most important is to keep your estate plan up-to-date. Which … [Read more...]
Lets Get Started! Grab Your Paper & Pen And Create Your Estate Plan Here
So… you’ve been thinking about doing an estate plan, but every time you hear the words “will” or “trust,” your eyes glaze over, pictures of lawyers and complicated documents dance through your head, and your brain whispers, "Ugh…Not today, I can do that later." You are not alone. Most people put off estate planning because they assume it’s … [Read more...]
What Happens to Your Social Media Accounts When You Die?
In today’s hyper-connected and screen focused world, most of us in the United States live a portion of our lives online. We are sharing photos, communicating with friends, building professional networks and storing digitally uploaded memories - all on social media platforms. But what happens to your social media and digital accounts when you … [Read more...]
Can I Fund My Trust Using My Life Insurance?
No one wants to think about their death. But raise your hand if you are immortal? Correct, unless you are a character in an Anne Rice novel or some other fantasy story you are a regular human being with a set amount of days to walk in this physical realm. In other words, you are going to die. It is the only thing we can depend on in this life - … [Read more...]
Should I Transfer My House To My Child While I Am Still Alive?
Before going into details, I’m just going to start out by answering this question. “Absolutely not!” Transferring property into your child’s name while you are still alive is probably one of the most horrible ideas of your life. I’m serious. Real estate transfers are not a DIY, or quick and done kind of matter, as there are many ways that the … [Read more...]
The 4 Methods of Property Transfer and How They Work Together After You Die
Very frequently, individuals call my office and say - Angel, I just need a Simple Will. I don’t have much, and I’m leaving everything to my kids and/or my spouse. I don’t need anything fancy. Or I hear, more rarely, but still sometimes - I just need a Revocable Trust for all my property - I don’t a Will or any of those other documents. I … [Read more...]
Who Should Have an Estate Plan? Do I Need One?
Right out of the gate, the resounding answer to this question is EVERYONE above the age of 18 needs an estate plan. And thus, Yes!! YOU NEED AN ESTATE PLAN. The only person who does not need an estate plan is immortal. And I would make an argument that even an immortal should have an estate plan as how else will they transfer their amassed wealth … [Read more...]
Benefits of Working With An Estate Planning Attorney Vs. Doing It Yourself (DIY) Online
It may seem cheap, quick and easy to get your estate plan done using an online do-it-yourself legal document creation service. But the downside of these DIY services is that there is NO ONE to guide you and guarantee that you have accurate, complete or even semi-functional legal estate documents in place. (Which means what you print may not even … [Read more...]
How to Appoint Long and Short Term Guardians For Your Children
Most parents of young children think - “I need a will so that I can tell the state who should parent my children if I die.” But a guardian nomination in a will can only do part of the job, as it does not actually appoint parental substitutes to act in case of emergency. Here I will explain what you need to do to ensure you have appointed long … [Read more...]
The difference between a Will and a Living Trust
What is the difference between a Will and Trust? And why do I need one or the other? This is the most frequently asked question I get from clients and potential clients. The short answer is - you need both, because they do two different things for a comprehensive estate plan. Wills: Your Last Testimony A will (i.e. a Last Will and … [Read more...]
Should I Have A Will Or A Trust In My Estate Plan?
There are many different ways to prepare for your future with your estate planning attorney. There are many different types of documents, plans, and decisions that you have to make when deciding how you want to distribute your estate. When looking at the options and deciding what estate plan is best for your situation, you may find yourself … [Read more...]