Can My Spouse be a Trustee of the Family or Marital Trusts?
April 05, 2017Yes, but naming the surviving spouse, as a Trustee should be done only after reviewing all the facts and counseling with your advisors. In a “first time” marriage where both spouses have great confidence in each other, it is common for the surviving spouse to be designated as a Trustee of the Family and Marital… Read more »
How Else Can I Use a Living Trust to Plan for My Spouse?
April 03, 2017Using a Living Trust to Plan for Your Spouse’s Financial Future Living trusts can be used to plan for a spouse’s well-being in a variety of ways. The decision about separate or joint trusts is not as straightforward as you might think. A revocable living trust is a popular way to pass assets to heirs. Assets titled… Read more »
What Are Some of the Things My Estate Plan Should Include for my Spouse?
March 30, 2017My Estate Plan Should Include for My Spouse What should be included in an estate plan? The goals that we hear most often from clients regarding what an estate plan should include for my spouse: I want my spouse to be able to maintain the lifestyle that we currently enjoy after I’m gone. I want… Read more »
What Are Some of the Things My Estate Plan Should Provide for After My Death?
March 28, 2017After my Death, What Does My Estate Plan Do? Many people believe that having an estate plan simply means drafting a will or a trust. However, there is much more to include in your estate planning to make certain all of your assets are transferred seamlessly to your heirs after your death. There are specific… Read more »
What Happens in a Guardianship or Conservatorship?
March 24, 2017Guardianship or Conservatorship What Do They Do? Guardianships and conservatorships are both court-ordered requests. When a loved one can no longer care for themselves a family member will hire an attorney to discuss options. The attorney helps the family ask the court to appoint a guardian or conservator when their loved one can no longer… Read more »
What is “Living Probate?”
March 22, 2017Explaining living probate: Living Probate is a term used to describe what happens to those who become mentally incapacitated without proper planning in place. Living probate is the legal proceeding required to put a guardianship in place for a person who can no longer manage his own affairs or make decisions about his care. If a… Read more »
How Can I Use a Living Trust to Plan for my Possible Disability?
March 20, 2017One of the most important reasons for having a revocable living trust is to plan for a possible incapacity. With improvements in health care and lifestyle, more people are living longer. With this increase in lifespan, the likelihood of becoming incapacitated some time before death is greater than ever. The most important part of estate… Read more »
Should I Name a Family Member as My Trustee?
March 16, 2017Family Member as Trustee Choosing a trustee is crucial whether establishing a new trust, modifying an existing trust or dealing with a transition of the incumbent trustee. Selecting the person or institution who will act as your trustee is one of the most important decisions you and your family will make. Naming a family member… Read more »
What are the Advantages of Using a Corporate Trustee?
March 14, 2017Using a Corporate Trustee A corporate fiduciary manages trusts professionally every day. They have experience in the area, and they know what they are doing. They act very objectively to follow the instructions set forth in the trust document. They have investment experience and record-keeping skills. They know the law, and follow the prudent investor… Read more »
Who Should I Select as Trustee of My Trust?
March 10, 2017How To Selecting Someone as Trustee of Your Trust What is a Trustee and How do you Choose One? Select as trustee anyone you feel can do the job. But how do you figure that out. Having someone to manage your estate when you are gone is an important decision, and one that should not… Read more »