Thinking about incapacitation and death and having sensitive conversations with your family can make estate planning emotional. You may have a fear of mortality, losing control over your assets or family conflict. You may also be anxious about the financial skills of...
You might have heard people talk about their loved one’s wills going through probate. You might also have heard people saying how they are taking specific estate planning actions to avoid their estate passing through probate. If you are thinking about making your...
Many people try to keep their estate plans as simple as possible. They may draft wills and no other documents. While a will can help address certain estate planning needs, it only takes effect after its author dies. Thorough estate plans generally include documents...
A will is one of the most important legal documents you'll ever create, serving as your voice for distributing assets after death. Yet simple oversights during creation or maintenance can render it invalid. Understanding common mistakes can help you avoid...
As a beneficiary of someone’s will in Virginia, you might wonder how long it will take to settle the estate so that you can receive your inheritance. Knowing the duration sets your expectations and helps you plan accordingly. The answer to your question depends on a...
If you already have an estate plan – even just a will – in place when you decide to divorce, you’re ahead of most people. While you may not want to deal with more legal matters than you already are, it’s important to know what changes you’ll need to make to your...
One way to allow specific assets to pass directly to your intended beneficiaries after you pass away without going through probate is to establish joint ownership if you don’t already own an asset jointly. This is particularly crucial when someone is widowed, divorced...
When creating a will, the person you choose to act as executor will be responsible for managing your estate and ensuring your wishes are fulfilled when the time comes. As such, you need to appoint someone well-suited to handle the complexities of the probate process...
It’s no secret that some people will waste their inheritance. You may have spent decades saving money that you want to pass on to your grandchildren or your own adult children. But you’re concerned that the money is just going to pay down their extensive debt or that...
Written by attorney Jesse Baez My aunt is fighting for her life right now against COVID-19 with the help of a ventilator, sedation, and non-stop medical care in the ICU. Unfortunately, doctors are unsure of her prognosis. Her entire situation highlights the importance...