Estate Administration & Probate

OK, perhaps we should concede at the outset of this post that stratospheric pop star Prince did not bequeath an estate planning war in the wake of his recent passing.Indeed, though, acrimony and massive uncertainty have prevailed regarding Prince's financial empire...

It's pretty much like that annual medical check-up or every-so-often teeth cleaning. Or like that periodic oil change and kick-the-tires car inspection at the local auto shop.We're talking revisiting your estate plan after all that initial effort you expended on...

Where elderly loved ones are living in somewhat isolated fashion from other family members, it can be prudent to check on them with sufficient scrutiny and regularity to rest assured that they are not falling prey to the machinations of third parties seeking to...

Considerable common sense prevails across an article recently written by a commentator on estate planning for families.Here's a central bottom line directed toward a planner or planning couple that is communicated in that piece: Make it easy on your loved ones.That...

Uh, sooner is better than later?If money management firm Fidelity was soliciting a short response to indicate understanding of the bottom-line takeaway in its most recent report on family communications between adult kids and parents on key estate planning matters,...

We note the current century in the above-cited blog headline for this reason: In the aggregate, Americans are certainly living longer presently, with that reality bringing immediate -- and material -- implications for estate planning.Here's a key one, as referenced in...

Have you ever paused at the term "elder law" and wondered about its focal concerns and parameters?In other words, have you been more than just a bit confused by what that phrase actually means?If so, know without doubt that your uncertainty is hardly singular; in...

Our blog and multiple other media outlets that seek to provide relevant and timely information to readers regarding estate planning considerations often point out the egalitarian nature surrounding that subject matter.In other words: Truly, estate planning is...

"[Y]ou have the right to do whatever you want to with your estate."That is a widely accepted principle, indeed, a truism, regarding how an individual or couple approaches key administration decisions, such as, well, who gets what.And sometimes even more importantly,...

What does teaching children about money management, fundamental business realities, debt/borrowing, credit, economics and other financial matters have to do, if anything, with estate planning?A great deal, actually, given that an effective estate administration plan...