- 7 Tips for Blended Family Estate Planning
An estate plan for a blended family can be complex and lead to tensions if it’s unclear. This can involve children from previous relationships and a new spouse, and require careful consideration to address fairness and your desired outcome. Here are seven general tips to help you create an estate plan for your blended family’s… read more…
- Differences Between a Family Limited Partnership vs. Trust
Family limited partnerships (FLPs) and trusts are both tools used in estate planning, but they serve different purposes and offer distinct advantages. An FLP is primarily designed to hold and manage family-owned assets while providing potential tax benefits and asset protection. It also enables parents to transfer wealth to their children while retaining some control… read more…
- Marital Trust vs. Family Trust
When considering estate planning, knowing the differences between a marital trust and a family trust is important. A marital trust provides income and principal distributions while deferring estate taxes, while a family trust maximizes estate tax exemptions by distributing assets to children or other family members. Both types of trusts can be customized for specific… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Ohio
A small estate affidavit in Ohio is a legal document that allows an estate to be settled without going through the lengthy probate process. In Ohio, an estate qualifies as “small” if the total value of the assets does not exceed a certain threshold, which can vary depending on the circumstances. The affidavit process is… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Tennessee
Completing a small estate affidavit in Tennessee allows heirs to simplify the probate process when dealing with a deceased person’s assets. This legal document is typically used when the estate’s total value falls below a certain threshold – $50,000 in Tennessee. The affidavit allows heirs to claim the decedent’s property without going through the more… read more…
- 5 Generational Wealth Transfer Strategies
As you build and manage wealth, consider how that wealth will be passed on to your heirs and beneficiaries. Without a clear plan, significant portions of your estate could be lost to taxes, legal fees or mismanagement. That’s why it’s important to understand how you can use generational wealth transfer strategies to facilitate the process.… read more…
- How to Create an Advance Healthcare Directive in California
Creating an advance healthcare directive in California can be an important part of planning for your future medical care. This legal document enables you to specify your medical treatment preferences and designate a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions for you should you become incapacitated. For many people, having an advance healthcare directive in California… read more…
- How to Create an Advance Healthcare Directive in Georgia
An advance healthcare directive is a type of legal document that allows you to state your wishes regarding future medical care. You can appoint someone – often a trusted friend or family member – to make medical decisions for you in the event that you become incapacitated. This not only gives you peace of mind,… read more…
- How to Create a Will Online in Florida
Creating a will is vital for safeguarding your loved ones and ensuring your estate is managed as you intend after your passing. While you can meet with a professional to draft your will, it’s also possible to write your own will. If you want to learn how to create a will online in Florida, numerous… read more…
- How to Create a Will Online in Texas
Having a will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. Creating a will is usually a straightforward process, especially with the availability of online tools that guide you through each step. If you are looking to learn how to create a will online in Texas, there are a… read more…
- Generational Wealth Transfer Strategies to Consider
Transferring wealth across generations is a multifaceted process requiring careful planning and a deep understanding of tax implications, asset protection and family dynamics. Effective generational wealth transfer strategies can help ensure that financial legacies are preserved and aligned with personal values and family goals. These strategies might include establishing trusts, gifting assets during one’s lifetime… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Missouri
When the estate of a deceased loved one is required to go through probate, the process can be lengthy, costly and demanding in terms of energy and attention. In Missouri, as in other states, this process sometimes can be bypassed by using a small estate affidavit. A small estate affidavit is a legal document that… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Oklahoma
When a loved one passes away in Oklahoma, a small estate affidavit may be used to bypass the probate process used to settle the estate. A small estate affidavit can help heirs and beneficiaries by speeding the release of estate assets that may be needed to pay essential expenses. It can also save money and… read more…
- How Limited Guardianship Works in Illinois
Limited guardianship in Illinois is a legal arrangement designed to protect individuals who are unable to fully manage their personal affairs due to physical or mental limitations. This type of guardianship grants the guardian specific court-defined powers rather than complete control over the individual’s life. Whether you are considering limited guardianship in Illinois for a… read more…
- How Limited Guardianship Works in Florida
A limited guardianship in Florida is a legal arrangement where a court grants specific decision-making powers to a guardian for an individual who is partially incapacitated. Unlike full guardianship, where all rights are transferred, limited guardianship provides a balance between autonomy and necessary support. As a result, guardians may need to consult a financial advisor… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Oregon
A small estate affidavit in Oregon allows heirs to transfer a deceased person’s assets without going through a lengthy probate process. This can facilitate asset distribution in a way that minimizes time and legal expenses. To initiate the process, the heir or executor must file a small estate affidavit with the probate court at least… read more…
- How to Avoid Probate in Nebraska
Avoiding probate can help you simplify the inheritance process. There are several estate planning strategies that Nebraska residents can use to manage and distribute assets efficiently. These can include creating a living trust and using transfer-on-death deeds, among others. Working with a financial advisor can also help you build a personalized estate plan for your… read more…
- How to Avoid Probate in Montana
Avoiding probate can save time, money and stress for your beneficiaries. If you do not have an estate plan before death, the state may direct the probate process to determine beneficiaries based on your will, if you have one, or laws that may not align with your last wishes. Working with a financial advisor can… read more…
- How Much Does Probate Cost in Arkansas?
Probate costs in Arkansas typically include court fees, attorney fees and executor fees, though the total of what you spend will depend on the size and value of the estate. Other potential costs might include appraisal fees for real estate or personal property, as well as miscellaneous expenses such as postage and copies. Consulting a… read more…
- How Much Probate Costs in Wisconsin
The cost of probate in Wisconsin will largely depend on the size and complexity of the estate. Expenses typically include filing and legal fees, as well as compensation for the executor. To manage these costs, you can plan your estate in advance by creating a will or a living trust, and designating beneficiaries. If you… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Michigan
A small estate affidavit can simplify the process of transferring property when someone dies. This legal document allows heirs to bypass probate, which could save both time and money. To qualify for a small estate affidavit, the estate must be valued under a certain limit, you will need a death certificate and proof that the… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Arizona
Completing a small estate affidavit in Arizona can speed up and simplify the process of managing a deceased person’s estate without the need for formal probate. It can be used only for estates with a relatively low total value, and also has to meet other criteria. When it is allowed, this process can save significant… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in Washington
In the state of Washington, the small estate affidavit process offers a streamlined method for transferring assets of a deceased person without going through the full probate process. This legal tool can save time, reduce costs and simplify the handling of an estate as long as the total value of the assets falls below a… read more…
- Completing a Small Estate Affidavit in New York
Completing a small estate affidavit in New York is a streamlined way to settle a deceased person’s estate when it falls below a certain monetary threshold. This process, also known as a Voluntary Administration, is less costly and time-consuming than formal probate, making it ideal for estates worth $50,000 or less. While completing a small… read more…
- How Limited Guardianship for Adults Works
When an adult is unable to make all decisions independently, whether due to physical or mental incapacity, limited guardianship may be beneficial. Limited guardianship for adults is a legal arrangement that grants a guardian authority to make specific decisions on behalf of an individual. Meanwhile, this individual, also known as the ward, retains some independence.… read more…