Where to Store Your Will or Trust (According to an Estate Planning Lawyer)
Creating a will or trust can be a laborious process. There’s a lot to think through: who gets what, when they get it, and how that happens. And there is a ton of related paperwork. You must keep these documents in a safe place, be sure you don’t lose them, and make sure your executor […]
Becoming The Family Banker
Family members sometimes loan money to each other. These “related party” loans are given with the best intentions and, most of the time, are repaid timely and without any problems. However, there are many things to think about before lending or borrowing money to or from a family member. Consider Your Personal Relationship Related party […]
When A Loved One Passes
Dealing with the death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult challenges we face. 1. Grieving And Family Is A Priority It is natural to feel a sense of urgency in handling a loved one’s financial affairs; however, in most cases, matters can wait. Do not rush into making changes or […]
Trust & Estate
The administration of Trusts and Estates for deceased and incapacitated persons is more complicated than you might think. Whether a person has a Revocable Trust, a simple Last Will, or no estate planning documents, action must be taken to handle his or her affairs. The assets must be inventoried, and liabilities resolved. Decisions must be […]
Revocable Living Trust
A Revocable Living Trust is a written document in which you, the grantor of the Trust, set forth in detail the arrangements for the management and distribution of your property during your lifetime and after your death. Typically, you will serve as the trustee (or manager) of the Trust property until you are unable or […]
How to Start an Estate Planning Law Practice
Congratulations. You’ve graduated from law school and passed the bar. Now you’re debating between working for a firm or starting your own practice, and there are a lot of factors to consider. There are about 90 unique practice areas, and you only have time to become proficient in a few of them. Starting an estate […]
How to Fund a Revocable Trust
In order for your Revocable Living Trust to carry out your estate plan, you must legally transfer all your property, assets, and accounts to it. This is a critical step to finalizing your Trust. We’re going to briefly cover what a trust is and then explore the details behind funding your trust with each major […]
Getting Affairs in Order Before Death: A Complete Checklist
The phrase “get your affairs in order” probably makes you think of death, but that’s actually not when or why most people do it. Death is a common motivator, and people often become motivated to organize everything when they lose a friend or family member, but most people think about ordering their affairs when crossing […]
How to Share Passwords After Death
It’s not the most fun thing to think about, but an increasingly important part of getting your affairs in order involves figuring out what to do with all your digital assets and online accounts when you die. And what does every account require? A password. It’s weird to think about your Facebook account existing after […]
Marketing for Estate Planning Attorneys (10 Tips)
As much as attorneys would like to focus on only doing billable work, marketing is a constant in any entrepreneurial role, and you need to view investing time into growing your estate planning practice as an integral part of your weekly to-dos. The Bad News First Selling estate planning services has become increasingly difficult for […]
