Browse Estate Planning Basics Articles

Annual Checkup: Is Your Estate Plan Up-to-Date?

Having an estate plan is an important step toward protecting your family for the future. Keeping it up-to-date is just as important as having one in place, especially if your wishes and circumstances have recently changed. more...

Bilal Kaiser - Feb 2012 - Estate Planning Basics
The Probate Process: Four Simple Steps

The last thing family and friends want is to have estate matters drawn out for months after someone dies. Knowing what probate actually involves will help ease fears about the process—one that isn’t always as complex as you might think. more...

Renee M. Hykel, Esq. - Oct 2011 - Last Wills
Living Trusts 101: Funding and Managing a Living Trust

A living trust gives you one of the most flexible ways to plan your estate. But once you get a living trust, then what? There are a few important steps to follow to make sure your living trust does what you intended it to do—distribute your assets based on your wishes while avoiding probate. Find out how to fund your living trust, how long it lasts and whether or not it’s the only estate planning tool you’ll need. more...

Michelle Fabio, Esq. - Jul 2011 - Living Trusts
Simple Estate Planning Tool for Couples: The Mirror Will

Whether married or unmarried, chances are, you’ve thought about how to plan your estate. While you have several estate planning tools at your disposal, there is one—mirror wills—that could work if you mostly agree on how to handle your estate. Read on for more information about mirror wills—including what they are, how they work and who they protect—to help you determine if this simple estate planning tool is right for you. more...

Renee Hykel, Esq. - Jun 2011 - Estate Planning Basics
Don’t Have a Will? 10 Common But Misguided Excuses

Although making a will might seem like a big task—it isn’t. A will is simple and straightforward, and something that everyone should have. Yet, many people don’t. And why not? Read on for the 10 most common excuses along with some common sense tips to help overcome them. more...

Heleigh Bostwick - Jun 2011 - Estate Planning Basics
Top 10 Considerations When Naming a Guardian in Your Will

Planning your last will is an important task—but even more so when there are children involved. Without specifying a legal guardian in your will, you are leaving this hugely important decision up to strangers. Suggestions to consider include if you want your children to live together, coguardians, and whether or not your child would have to change schools. more...

Michelle Fabio, Esq. - May 2011 - Last Wills
2011 Estate Tax Update—Including How AB Trusts are Affected

This year, the estate tax law has changed again. After last year’s record 0% tax rate and no exemption, the estate tax was scheduled to pop back up to 55%, what it had been in 2001. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, but neither did a repeat of last year’s rate and exemption. Find out the latest on estate taxes—including how AB Trusts are affected—as well as how long this estate tax law is scheduled to remain in effect. more...

Michelle Fabio, Esq. - Apr 2011 - Living Trusts
Should Your Power of Attorney Be Updated?

Whether you’re planning your estate or need someone to handle important financial or legal matters for you while you’re away, a power of attorney is an important legal document to have. If you don’t have one yet, now is a great time to get one—the laws in many states have been revised to reflect a uniform standard. If you already have a power of attorney, check if your state has revised the laws and update your power of attorney to include the current best practices. more...

Lisa C. Johnson, Esq. - Jan 2011 - Estate Planning Basics
Update Your Estate Planning Documents for the New Year

The beginning of the year is an ideal time to review your estate planning documents to make sure they still represent your wishes and circumstances accurately. It’s not only important to consider your property and assets, but the people involved—beneficiaries, executor, trustee, guardian and more. This list of possible events can help you ensure your estate documents are the most up to date. more...

Michelle Fabio, Esq. - Jan 2011 - Estate Planning Basics
Understanding the Gift Tax

While December is the season of giving, it’s also the season of estate planning. That’s because December is the last month of the year to take advantage of the low gift tax rate. So while you’re planning what gifts to give, you can think about giving gifts of your estate, which can help reduce the potential estate tax burden to your family in the future. more...

Heleigh Bostwick - Dec 2010 - Estate Taxes