Downs Law Firm, P.C.
Seventy-seven percent of respondents in a recent survey said estate and legacy strategies were important for everyone, not just wealthy individuals, yet only 24% said they had taken the basic step of designating beneficiaries for all of their accounts.
However, not having the difficult talk sets the table for big family problems later. When financial decisions and medical caretaking are stumbled upon, many unexpressed expectations will likely collide.
Start by thinking of family and friends who share your values and have a loving bond with your children. They should be people you trust to raise your little ones with the care, wisdom, and courage of a legendary hero.
At some point, you’ll want to share your estate plans with your loved ones—and the first step in this process may be to hold a family meeting.
In the realm of estate planning, a common adage rings true: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” As an experienced estate planning attorney, I’ve witnessed firsthand the turmoil and heartache that can ensue when individuals neglect the crucial step of…
While a will is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have, there are things that a will won’t cover.
Dealing with death is never easy and overseeing the estate can be complicated. However, staying organized can help you manage things smoothly.
You should not name a legal minor as a beneficiary. This applies to almost all legal documents, most notably wills and life insurance policies.
A badly in debt woman dies leaving the proceeds of substantial insurance policies to her children only to have her trust contested by relatives who claim an amendment naming the children as beneficiaries is invalid with no witnesses, misspelled names, suspicious signatures and was never given to previous trustees for review as required by agreement. A long, expensive, and protracted legal battle likely is brewing.
While thinking about legacy planning can be unpleasant because it involves discussions about incapacity or mortality, it’s an important aspect of good financial planning that shouldn’t be ignored.
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