I am asked this important question several times each week. There is no right answer to the question. Consider the following guidelines to determine when and how often your estate plan should be reviewed. At a minimum, I recommend you review the basic terms of your...
Firm News
Do I Have To Tell My Family About My Estate Plan?
No. The short answer is that you do not have to tell your family (or your friends, your priest, your best friend or anyone else) what provisions you made in your estate planning documents. Your estate planning documents are private, and you can decide to keep them...
Important Questions to Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney
Hiring an estate planning attorney is often the first opportunity an individual has had to hire an attorney to assist them. The process can seem overwhelming if one does not know what questions to ask. Asking the right questions can help you determine if you are...
Charitable Giving With Retirement Assets
Frequently clients are interested in making a gift to one or more charities they supported during their lifetime, such as their college, church or synagogue, or a charitable organization where they volunteered their time. Properly funding the gift is an important...
Are Your Children Heading Off To College?
If you are like most parents with college-bound children, the last thing on your mind is estate planning. You may be sad to see your baby leave for college, or you may be dismantling their room so you can have your own space. You may also be lamenting the fact that...
Selecting A Caregiver For Your Pet
Last week, I covered some considerations in selecting a guardian for minor children. For some people, their “children” are of the furry variety, and those “fur babies” will need care when their beloved owners are deceased. Selecting a caregiver for a beloved pet can...
Considerations In Selecting A Guardian For Your Children
One of the most difficult estate planning decisions people face is selecting the person (or persons) to appoint as guardian of their minor children. Here are issues to keep in mind as you weigh your options: Consider the age of the person you are naming. ...
Top 5 Challenges In Estate Planning For Blended Families
Blended families (those where at least one spouse has children from a prior relationship) face challenges in creating estate plans that balance the competing needs and desires of family members. This guide explains the top challenges blended families face. 1. ...