We Understand The Ins And Outs Of Real Estate Law
Estate planning isn’t just about the distribution of property when a person dies. A thorough estate plan can also help protect people when they are at their most vulnerable. Older adults who are about to retire often sit down to create an estate plan if they haven’t already or update...
Passing down inherited antique artwork can be emotionally and financially complex. These items often carry deep personal meaning, along with considerable market value. Including such pieces in your estate plan is essential to help ensure their proper care, preservation and distribution. Thoughtful planning also minimizes disputes among heirs and helps...
Inheritance disputes can happen for many reasons. In general, the higher the stakes, the more likely some dispute may arise. Estate litigation requires calculated legal strategies to protect your inheritance rights and financial interests. Understanding what to expect during estate litigation helps you prepare for the challenges ahead and make...
Planning for the future of loved ones—especially children and those living with disabilities—requires both heart and strategy. Trusts can be one of the most powerful tools available to help ensure their financial well-being and access to care. Whether the guardian is a parent or a grandparent, understanding how trusts work...
As you work on your estate plan, one area to consider may be using a power of attorney. There could come a time when someone else needs to make medical, financial or legal decisions on your behalf. A power of attorney allows you to choose your agent in advance to...
With joint tenancy, two people can share ownership of the same real estate, with equal ownership shares. While co-owners don’t need to be related, it is common for parents to use joint tenancy with their children. The primary reason for this is to simplify the transfer of property after the...
If you have never made an estate plan before, then now is the time. An estate plan can help ensure your assets are managed after you pass away. You can also instruct how your medical care should be taken care of with the use of an estate plan. Estate planning...
If you do not have an estate plan, you are not alone. Only about a third of Americans have estate plans. What is stopping you from making your estate plan? It could be because you do not know if it is the right time to make your estate plan. However,...
Like many people, you may have created an estate plan earlier in adulthood – maybe when you started a family. Unfortunately, it may fail to address your needs as you enter your senior years, even if you regularly update your documents. Many things about your life can change as you...
No one wants to imagine the possibility of someone else raising their child. But life has its share of uncertainties. As difficult as it is, the decision to designate a guardian for your child is one that you should never overlook. A guardian is basically an individual you nominate in...
One of the things people don’t always realize when making an estate plan is that their plan can be updated. While an estate plan isn’t at risk of expiring, an out-of-date estate plan may make your wishes unclear for your executor and heirs. Some people schedule to update their estate...
Inheriting a home – particularly one you don’t plan to live in – can be a mixed blessing. Chances are that eventually you’ll be able to sell it for an amount that more than makes up for any time and expense you put into fixing it up and dealing with...
Estate planning is a complex matter and it can only seem more daunting when misinformation is believed. To help you as you make an estate plan, you may need to debunk some old myths. Here’s what you should know: Myth 1: You must be over 50 years of age to...
The passing of a loved one is undoubtedly a difficult time for anyone. It becomes even more challenging when suspicions arise regarding the legitimacy of their will. Undue influence occurs when an individual manipulates or coerces a testator into creating or altering their will to benefit themselves. Identifying signs of...
Will creation is a crucial part of the estate planning process. By dedicating time to creating one, you are taking full control of your legacy as well as your loved ones’ futures. Better still, you will be taking the guesswork out of the picture as far as your wishes regarding...
Being a trustee comes with enormous responsibilities. These individuals are responsible for administering the trust upon the grantor’s demise. This involves ensuring that the grantor’s wishes are executed per the provisions of the trust instrument. To effectively execute their role, a trustee must put the interests of the trust as...
Your estate plan is more than just a will. It includes multiple documents that outline what should happen to your estate after you pass away, and if you have advance directives or living wills, it outlines what your heirs can do while you are living. What you include in your...
Older Americans sometimes delay their estate planning for far too long. This can backfire on them — and even more so on their surviving spouses and any dependent children. You want to do the right thing for your heirs and beneficiaries, but in these uncertain times, you hesitate to put...
If someone in your family has certain disabilities, they may qualify for Medicaid and other government benefits based on their financial situation. However, to ensure they continue receiving the care they need, you may want to give them an inheritance after you pass. If you don’t do this properly, the...
You just found the perfect property to invest in. Unfortunately, you won’t be around to finalize the purchase. Now you’re conflicted about whether you should stay home to finalize an investment or go on your overseas trip. Instead of being split between traveling and investing in property, you may have...
You may have started your estate planning by looking at the financial assets and the sentimental items that you know your children are going to want. However, you also need to deal with your real estate in your plan. This could be a family home, for instance, or a cabin...
A will is one of the most important legal documents you can ever create during your lifetime. If you die without one (intestate), the New Jersey laws will determine how your hard-earned assets are distributed. A properly written will, on the other hand, can give you peace of mind knowing...
When you create a will, you do so to eliminate potential confusions and conflicts that may arise regarding the fate of your assets. However, if you have concerns about someone disputing your will, it helps to figure out how you can protect it. One of the steps you can take...
Planning your estate gives you control over what happens to your property and also allows you to provide support for your loved ones when you can no longer physically be with them. What happens to your home will matter to the people who live with you and to those who...
Talking about your mortality and what you want to happen to your wealth when you are gone may seem awkward. In fact, talking about death and money at the same time can be taboo in most households – so this conversation rarely happens. However, no matter how controversial and uncomfortable...
Creating your estate plan gives you a chance to dictate what happens to your assets when you pass away. People can pass along assets through their will, but many opt to establish trusts for doing this for a variety of reasons. When you look into trusts, you’ll notice that every...
Thinking about a time when you are ill or nearing the end of life is uncomfortable but crucial. Most people want to retain control over their healthcare for as long as possible. However, not enough realize that estate planning can help you do just that. In estate planning, you have...
An estate plan is more than a will. It’s a collection of documents dictating what will happen to your estate after your passing and, in the case of living wills or advance directives, what your heirs can do when you’re still alive. In theory, whatever you put in your estate...
A properly written estate plan can give you peace of mind knowing that your loved ones, assets and interests will be protected after your passing. But, your estate plan can also be a fertile ground for potentially costly mistakes. Whether due to improper planning or oversight, estate planning missteps can...
