About half of the population has no kind of estate plan. This means they haven't created anything from a last will and testament, to a trust for their children, or an advance directive that sets out their health care wishes. Why not? There are numerous reasons, but for many people, the reason they haven't started any estate planning efforts comes down to very personal and often difficult to discuss reasons. Reason 1: You find it boring, or worse, hard to understand. Estate planning, at … [Read more...] about Why Don’t You Have An Estate Plan? 2 Key Personal Reasons
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A Brief Checklist For Creating a Durable Power of Attorney For Finances
A durable power of attorney for finances lets you choose someone to take over your financial responsibilities when you become sick or otherwise unable to manage them. Your attorney can tell you what specific steps you need to take to create this important document, but you can get a head start on the process by reviewing our brief checklist. Preparation. Take some time to learn about powers of attorney and what they can do for you. Make a list of questions you have and ask your attorney for … [Read more...] about A Brief Checklist For Creating a Durable Power of Attorney For Finances
Your Estate Planning Trip: A 4-Step Roadmap
Direction 1: Choose your destination. Each of us has our own desires and needs. Whether you want to ensure your adult children share equally from your estate or you want to leave a lot of property to charity, only you can determine what it is you want your plan to accomplish. Sit down, think about what you want and write your goals down. Don't try to edit yourself at first, just write down your goals as they come to you. Direction 2: Draw your map. Once you've got your destination, it's … [Read more...] about Your Estate Planning Trip: A 4-Step Roadmap
MLK Estate Files New Lawsuit
The perils that can arise from an incomplete, or nonexistent estate plan continue to plague the legacy of one of the most revered figures in American history. After his assassination in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King's children struggled with conflicts about how to properly administer their late father's estate. With no will to direct the inheritance, his heirs formed a corporation, The Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc., to protect estate interests. Recently, the corporation filed a … [Read more...] about MLK Estate Files New Lawsuit
Who Will Take Care of Your Funeral Arrangements?
Tip 1: Make your wishes clear. Many of us have very specific desires about our funerals and how our remains are to be handled after we die. However, often we never get around to talking about it, and may even avoid thinking about such difficult topics. Ignoring the situation will only make it harder for your family to handle the funeral arrangements, and will do so at a time when they are emotionally compromised. Take the time to sit down and talk about your wishes with your family as soon as … [Read more...] about Who Will Take Care of Your Funeral Arrangements?
