Without the spending habits of Michael Jackson and the involvement of members of his inner circle, the Jackson estate has been transformed into an efficient multi-million dollar empire. As it stands now, the only factors that might keep the Michael Jackson money machine from moon-walking into eternity are his heirs.…
When all of your time is spent battling the challenges of mental illness or addiction, it’s hard to imagine what the future will bring. However, that’s exactly why estate planning is so important. It’s not an easy issue to discuss with an estate planning attorney for the first time. However,…
The moment you become a parent, you need a will. The same is true once you acquire any kind of asset that you want to give to someone after you die. It’s really that simple. The reasons why so many people don’t think they need a will fall into a…
Inheritances by their very nature, create many mixed emotions. While you are grateful for the inheritance, you are grieving, which is a painful experience that impacts decision-making skills. Perhaps the most important thing to know when you are grieving the loss of a loved one and expect to receive an…
If you’re walking down the aisle again, there are a number of smart steps to take before you say “I do” another time. Just as your life was probably simpler the first time you married, your subsequent marriage, especially if it occurs late in life, can become problematic, if good…
When the greed nerve gets tapped, relationships suffer. There are things you can do now that will lessen the likelihood of family battles after you pass. Every family has its own dynamics, and some siblings that never resolve their differences, no matter how many years go by. When both parents…
Estate planning for entrepreneurs is not complete until it includes a succession plan. Individuals who create successful businesses often find it hard to consider handing over the reins. Entrepreneurs would not succeed without their ability to focus all of their energies on their business. It is not easy for this…
A cautionary tale ends with a will being declared invalid, firings at the local police station and a lesson in elder abuse. A wealthy 92 year old woman suffering from dementia left a $2 million estate to a local police sergeant but after three years of legal wrangling, her will…
You know you need life insurance to protect your loved ones. But do you know that having a will is equally important to protect against risks? Without a will, your family faces a number of potential financial disasters. If you think you don’t need a will because you aren’t wealthy…
A woman’s suit to contest her father’s decision to give his estate to a not-for-profit failed, as his will was found to be valid. The family’s split over religion was never resolved, and there are no winners here. A panel of three judges upheld a previous ruling that Stacy Wolin…