There is a common misconception that including a trust in one's estate plan is something that only benefits wealthy individuals. While it is true those with large amounts of assets stand to benefit from using a trust, so too do many other types of people. If you...
Under Virginia law, assets go through probate if the deceased had assets in his or her sole name without a beneficiary form filled out or joint ownership at his or her death. Virginia does allow a limited probate process if the only asset is real estate or if the...
If your Aunt Lucy named you as the executor of her estate, her sudden death may leave you feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility. Even as you deal with your own grief, you must take care of details with which you are unfamiliar. Here are five tips to help you...
An estate plan is a valuable way to ensure that future generations will benefit from your hard work and accompanying wealth. However, an out-of-date estate plan can complicate your final wishes. Here are three situations that warrant an update to your estate plan. 1....
Your wishes may change over the years, which means your will may change as well. There are several ways to update your will including making a whole new will to replace the old one or going through the process of altering your current will. Another method is to make a...
Estate planning goes far beyond writing a will. Creating a thorough estate plan means going through all your belongings and making the transfer of your belongings and accounts go smoothly. It is the best way to ensure that others follow your wishes after death....
Creating a comprehensive estate plan is one of the more effective ways to maintain control over what happens to a person's assets after he or she dies. Nowadays, though, many estate plans also deal with end-of-life matters, such as critical care decision-making,...
It is a proactive and prudent responsibility to set in place a written plan of succession for your business. Many small businesses go under after the death of the original owner because there was no clear plan in place. Business agreements are separate from the will...
There are multitudes of ways to organize your estate, and trusts are a powerful component of that. There are many things that trusts can do that wills cannot, and most estate planners benefit from making use of trusts. The two varieties of a living trust are revocable...
Estate planning can seem like a daunting or depressing task. However, without proper planning, you will not have a say in how the state divides your assets. If the process seems difficult, make small, simple steps to at least cover the basics of estate planning. 1....
