Estate planning typically involves a number of tools and strategies above and beyond a basic Last Will and Testament. One of the most common of those tools is a trust. Though once used primarily by the wealthy as a method by which the family wealth was passed down, trusts have evolved to the point where they are now found in the average person’s estate plan. You may know enough about trusts to believe your estate  plan might benefit from the addition of one; however, you may not know what type … [Read more...] about Can Trust Lawyers Help Me Choose the Right Trust for Me?

A comprehensive estate plan typically begins with the execution of a Last Will and Testament; however, in order to address the various goals and objectives that are usually found in an estate plan, additional estate planning tools and strategies are often needed as well. One of the most common of those additional tools is a living trust. Whether you are just now working on the creation of your estate plan, or are planning to review and revise your plan soon, you may wish to discuss how a trust … [Read more...] about 3 Scenarios When a Living Trust Can Help

Your comprehensive estate plan should include much more than just your Last Will and Testament. For many people, a living trust is also part of their estate plan, due in large part to the numerous and varied goals that can be reached using a living trust. If you have decided to include a trust in your estate plan, you will need to decide who to appoint as the Trustee of your living trust. Do not make the mistake many people make of failing to take the time necessary to choose the right Trustee … [Read more...] about Why You Should Consider a Professional Trustee for Your Living Trust

Comprehensive estate planning can accomplish a number of different goals and objectives beyond simply deciding who will receive which estate assets when you die. In order to achieve those goals and objectives, however, you will likely need to incorporate additional estate planning tools and strategies into your estate plan in addition to your Last Will and Testament. One of the most popular additions to a comprehensive estate plan is a living trust. Only your Missouri estate planning attorney … [Read more...] about What Is a Living Trust?

You have worked hard all your life, saved faithfully, and invested prudently with the intention of being able to pass down a sizeable estate to your children and grandchildren at the end of your life. Understandably, you are wary of any threats to your plans. Unfortunately, you have recently realized that the biggest threat may come from inside the family in the form of your son-in-law. Your biggest fear is that he will end up with your assets after you are gone. The good news is that there are … [Read more...] about How Do I Keep My Son-in-Law from Winding Up with My Assets?

In the electronic world we now live in, almost anything can be located with the click of a few buttons on the average laptop. Even legal forms and documents are now easy to find online. Understandably, this makes it very tempting to simply download the legal document you need, fill in the blanks, and be done with it, thereby avoiding the time and money it takes to have an attorney prepare the document. If you are planning on creating a trust in the near future, you may be tempted to go this … [Read more...] about Can’t I Just Use a Trust Agreement I Found Online?

When you think about estate planning do you immediately think about creating a Last Will and Testament? If so, you are not alone. Most people consider a Will to be the primary, or even the only, estate planning document they need when creating an estate plan. Often, however, a Will is either insufficient to accomplish all of your estate planning needs or is not the ideal tool to accomplish your estate planning goals. When either is the case, it may be time to consider establishing a trust … [Read more...] about Creating a Trust — Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts

If you are fortunate enough to have amassed a moderate to large estate, chances are good that your future didn’t occur as a result of luck. Instead, you have likely worked hard, invested wisely, and saved prudently throughout your lifetime. Understandably, you now want to protect those assets you have from a wide range of potential threats. Your estate plan is the perfect mechanism for doing just that. By including an asset protection trust in your estate plan you will ensure that the assets you … [Read more...] about Can a Trust Help Me with Asset Protection?