A pet trust designates a new guardian for companion animals and sets aside funds for their care. Better yet, it’s legally binding. In 2016, Tracy Jennings received shocking news: A lifelong friend, a woman who had a farm with animals great and small, had died suddenly in an accident. A circle of grieving friends hastily arranged new homes for the woman’s beloved animals, including three … [Read more...] about After Your Death, Who Takes Care of the Dog?
Estate Planning Blog
Surviving Spouses May Not Be Responsible for Partners’ Medical Bills
A call from a debt collector may add to the challenges that bereaved people are already dealing with. But spouses “should not assume that they have to pay.” The death of a spouse can be devastating, and in the aftermath, calls from collection agencies about medical bills and other debts could not come at a worse time. But surviving spouses may not be responsible for unpaid medical bills, … [Read more...] about Surviving Spouses May Not Be Responsible for Partners’ Medical Bills
Estate Administration Details that TV and Movies Get Wrong
While television and movies provide great entertainment, they are not always factual. Even shows based on real events are not entirely accurate. Creators of television programs and movies will often alter details of a story or situation to provide an enjoyable experience. Because of these widespread embellishments, people often develop misconceptions about many industries and professions, … [Read more...] about Estate Administration Details that TV and Movies Get Wrong
To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now
As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and addresses the things that matter most to you. The following are some important steps you need to take to … [Read more...] about To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now
Could a Will Be Right For You?
The term last will dates back more than a millennium to English common law, in which a person expressed what they “willed” to have happen to their property. The use of what we now know as a will dates back even further, to ancient Romans, who, under the Code of Justinian, recognized documents that transferred possessions from deceased male citizens to their heirs. While some of the specific … [Read more...] about Could a Will Be Right For You?
Debunking Common Misconceptions About Wills
The majority of Americans do not have a will, and the number of US households with a will has been in steady decline. At the outset, it is important to dispel a recurring myth about estate planning: It is not just for the wealthy—or older adults, married couples, or any other single category of individual. Estate planning is beneficial for everyone. But this is just one of the many … [Read more...] about Debunking Common Misconceptions About Wills
