When you create a will, you shouldn’t think of that as a final document. Instead, think of it as a living document that you need to reflect on over time. When you first create a will, there may be people included that aren’t around you in another five or 10 years. You...

There are generally two kinds of personal information you need when creating your estate plan. Beyond understanding basic probate laws, you also need information about your assets and about the people whom you wish to inherit your property. Your heirs or beneficiaries...

Many parents who have a child with special needs have to concern themselves with: - Ensuring that they've earmarked someone to take care of their child if they are unable to do so - Ensuring they remain eligible for government benefits such as Medicaid - Ensuring...

The process in which a court oversees and administers a decedent’s estate is known as “probate,” and many people know very little about this process. All you might have heard about probate is that you should avoid it, but not what you should know about it. Proper...

Maybe a doctor recently diagnosed your child with autism. Perhaps you have become the caretaker for your sibling with Down Syndrome now that your parents have died. When someone you love has special needs, you will likely do everything in your power to take care of...

If you go through a divorce, one of the things you will need to do is revise your estate plan to address your divorce.  Prior to your divorce, you may have identified your ex-spouse as your beneficiary or designated him or her as the heir to your estate.  If after...

If your child is going off to college and is already 18, now is the right time to talk to them about setting up a health care directive. Now that they’re over the age of 18, you no longer have the right to see their medical documents or make decisions on their behalf...

Estate planning helps you protect the people you love the most. When your relationships change, the plans that you have in place may also need to change. After all, it is likely that you don't want your ex to receive most of your property if you die after you divorce....

One reason that many people avoid or delay starting their estate plans is that they believe that it’s too expensive.  Some people may also believe they don’t have enough assets to worry about protecting or they may have no heirs or beneficiaries to speak of. Estate...

People have different motivations for creating an estate plan. Some want to make sure that their house or business will pass to a specific person. Others worry about estate taxes or naming a guardian for their child. However, one of the most common reasons for people...