It is hard to know what documents to trash and when. Before you know it, your spare room, office, basement, or garage is overflowing with boxes of papers that all seem important. Trying to weed through the mess and figure out what to toss? Keep reading. Which Documents Should I Keep? There are some documents that you will want to hang on to forever and some that you should keep for a few years. Consider the Read More
What You Should Consider Before Scattering a Loved One’s Ashes
Saying goodbye to a loved one is heartbreaking. Making final arrangements can be overwhelming, and knowing what you are allowed to do to fulfill your loved one's wishes is important, but it can also be confusing. If the person you lost wanted to be cremated and have their ashes spread, you should know where you can scatter their ashes to make sure that putting your loved one to rest is done appropriately. If you Read More
The Ins and Outs of Estate Sales
Following the death of a family member, you may find yourself needing to sort through many possessions accumulated over the deceased’s lifetime. An estate sale is one quick and efficient way to distribute those items that you do not want or need. While selling someone’s furniture, jewelry, artwork, antiques, and other belongings yourself can mean a great deal of time and effort on your part, there are Read More
Keeping Your Emergency Contacts and Medical Information Updated for First Responders
If medical personnel are able to access your medical history during an emergency, it could mean the difference between life and death. But if, for example, you are injured, in shock, suffering from dementia, or are otherwise incapacitated, you may not be able to provide that information yourself. There are several systems readily available to help make crucial contact and medical history information available to Read More
Three Estate Planning Options for Your Art Collection
Are you a collector? Is someone in your family a collector? Collecting art or other valuable items can be a passion for many people. Often such a pastime is more about enjoying the art or the medium itself than about ensuring financial gain. However, once you have accumulated a sizable collection, what do you want to happen to it after you pass away? It is important that your estate plan address your Read More
What to Do If You Are Appointed Guardian of an Older Adult
Being appointed guardian of a loved one is a serious responsibility. As guardian, you are in charge of your loved one's well-being and you have a duty to act in his or her best interest. If an adult becomes mentally incapacitated and is incapable of making responsible decisions, the court will appoint a substitute decision maker, often called a "guardian," but in some states called a "conservator" or Read More
The Wealth of Your Life: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will
When you hear about a Will or a Last Will and Testament, you probably think of the document that says who you want to receive your assets (your "beneifiaries") and who you want to make sure your wishes are carried out (your "executor"). To be sure, most everyone needs a Will. (If you're not sure why, please be sure to check out the other blog content contained here). However, financial and physical assets Read More
What Will Happen When the Gift and Estate Tax Exemption Gets Cut in Half?
Although the vast majority of Americans have estates that fall under the estate and gift tax exemption, the exemption is set to be cut in half in 2026. Proper planning may be necessary to make sure you are taking full advantage of the current exemption and aren’t negatively affected when it decreases. The federal estate tax threshold has increased to $12.06 million in 2022. (We'll call it $12 Read More
What to Do If You Want to Leave Your Children Unequal Inheritances
Parents usually want to leave their children equal shares of their estate, but equal isn’t always fair. If you plan to provide more (or less) for one child in your estate plan, preparation and clarity are important. It is natural for parents to want to treat their children equally in their estate plan, but there are some circumstances in which a parent might want to leave children unequal shares. For Read More
How Do I File for a Guardianship?
No one wants to see a loved one become unable to make decisions for him or herself. If this happens, however, the court may appoint a substitute decision maker, often called a "guardian," but in some states called a "conservator" or other term. A guardian is only appointed as a last resort if other, less restrictive, alternatives, such as a power of attorney, are not in place or are not working. In most states, Read More