Being named an executor for someone you care about is an honor. It means they trust you and your judgment explicitly. However, it is an honor that comes with responsibilities. The role of an executor varies with the size and complexity of the estate. The executor is charged with making…
Estate planning is not as much fun as vacation planning, but it is something you do for your loved ones to save them a lot of stress. It can also provide a surprising sense of relief to have this task completed. It’s hard for anyone to consider their own mortality.…
Wealth transfer occurs in a number of different ways, and sometimes there are too many choices. How do you decide which strategy to use? Start by educating yourself about some of the fundamentals of lifetime gifting. Gifting strategies are used to minimize the tax burden on estates and preserve assets,…
A will serves several purposes. It gives you the power to distribute your possessions, according to your own wishes. It also lets you name who should take care of your children, if they are minors when you die, and of your pets, if you provide for them in the will.…
Target date funds are growing in popularity, in part because they don’t require investors to do anything in the way of fund management. Are they right for you? That depends. Like any investment, there are pros and cons to using target date funds for retirement savings. The concept is easy…
When you die, the assets you’ve accumulated during your lifetime have to be distributed. If you don’t make a plan, your family may be left to clean up a legal mess, quarrel amongst themselves, or watch as a long-lost family member is given everything by a court decision. An estate…
The progressive nature of dementia makes advance directives necessary to manage the health care needs of the patient. When adult children suspect that one or both of their parents may be suffering from the early symptoms of dementia, it’s a good idea to sit down with an experienced elder care…
The fight over Conrad Prebys’ $1 billion estate continues, three years after the San Diego developer and philanthropist died. When the directors of the Conrad Prebys Foundation decided to give his son Eric $15 million, despite the fact that his father had left him out of the will, Preby’s longtime…
A trust is a complex document, but taking the time to read it a few times will prove enlightening. If you have questions, call your estate planning attorney, so they can help clarify anything you don’t understand. Attorneys do try to simplify documents when they can, so that clients will…
Notice that the title is not “if” you need to update a will, but “when.” A will is like the family pet—it can protect the house and demonstrate your love for your family. However, you have to take care of it. People often comment when they complete their estate planning,…