It has taken you years to build your business, so you naturally want to leave it in good hands when retiring. That is the goal of succession planning, which is the process of choosing people to fill essential positions long before the need arises. Creating a...
Estate Planning
What should your estate plan include?
An estate plan can benefit people of all ages, no matter where you may be in life. Additionally, a good estate plan will include certain items to ensure you remain protected. While professional assistance is a must, you should also be aware of these essential items....
Avoid these mistakes when making a business succession plan
If you want your business to continue after you retire, a solid succession plan could be essential. Given that some small businesses fail because of poor planning, you should know which mistakes to avoid as you compose a strategy to pass your business to a new owner....
Isolated seniors may be vulnerable to undue influence
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,...
How to choose a power of attorney
A Power of Attorney plays a very important role in your estate planning. The person you designate must act in your best interests and can make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. Choosing the right person for this role can be difficult. This...
How important is a power of attorney?
The idea of people using your money without your consent can feel like a major violation. However, this is what often happens during emergency situations when no power of attorney is in place. Your decision to name a power of attorney as part of your estate plan can...
What is the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
Planning for your death is important, but it is equally important to plan what should happen if you are still living but unable to make critical decisions for yourself. A key step in this process is assigning power of attorney to an agent you trust to make decisions...
How soon is too soon to write a will?
A will is a legal document that provides instructions on what to do after your death. More specifically, wills deal with things like the distribution of assets and who to have custody of your children. This document makes it easier on grieving family members, as it...
3 ways to minimize the impact of probate on your estate
As in other states, in Virginia, your estate may have to pass through probate before distributing to your heirs and beneficiaries. This is the process the government uses to confirm that your will is valid and ensure the transfer of your assets according to your...
7 traits that make a good executor
As you create your will, you must make many decisions – some of them are easy and swift, while others take a greater amount of thought. One such decision in the latter category is choosing an executor. Not just anyone can complete the many duties of this important and...


