Estate battles among high profile celebrities are all over the news, but can a regular person contest a will if they feel that they were unjustly treated? You may have seen a million movies where kids are cut out of a will, but when it happens to you or someone…
Celebrities without wills provide teachable moments for why “regular folks” need to have wills and estate plans in place. When Prince died, he joined the ranks of multi-millionaire celebrities with a shared legacy of failing to plan for life after they pass away. This group lives on in endless articles…
Conferences nationwide mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and explore solutions to a growing concern. The University of Minnesota recently hosted a large conference focused on what is considered to be the next large national crime wave: elder abuse. Attending the conference were social workers, nursing home workers, lawyers, law…
Whether your love is animal rights or protecting the planet, a trust donation creates a legacy that reflects your values and supports the future. A woman’s love for animals was reflected in a significant trust donation given to the Little Rock Zoo, as reported in The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette…
Choosing an executor is not easy, but it is very important. A person who is not capable of managing the tasks can drive even the best estate plan off the path. Part of creating an estate plan is naming an executor who will be responsible for carrying out the wishes…
If a financial institution does not accept a properly prepared power of attorney, you will have to know your rights and be prepared to assert yourself. A power of attorney is an estate planning basic; however, more often than you would expect, people find themselves being told by financial institutions…
If you are old enough to drive, work a job and have a bank account, you need to have an estate plan. It’s part of being a responsible adult. Leaving adolescence behind means a life that includes responsibility for yourself and for those you love. That has traditionally included basics…
A lot of details go into being an executor, and some people find it a thankless task. But knowing that you helped someone you love carry out his or her last wishes holds its own reward. Most people are honored when they learn that they have been named executor of…
Houston Families who are faced with the often overwhelming financial, logistical and emotional challenges that come when a family member has special needs use these trusts to protect their child's quality of life. A young couple who wisely had an estate plan created while their children were very young returned…
The defined-benefit pension is a rare bird today. But if you are lucky enough to have one, don't assume that your distribution will go smoothly. Here's how to protect yourself. For millennials, the idea of a pension plan that pays benefits from the time you retire to the day you…