There is a very good chance that, at some point in your life, you will be directly involved in the probate of an estate and will, therefore, need to know some basics about the probate process. You might find yourself involved in the probate of an estate because the decedent appointed you to be the Executor of the estate or because the decedent died intestate (without executing a Last Will and Testament prior to dying) and you volunteer to be the Personal Representative of the estate. You might … [Read more...] about 5 Things You Need to Know about Missouri Probate Laws
What Type of St. Louis Trusts Are Best to Protect My Estate from Creditors?
A comprehensive estate plan will not only decide what happens to your assets when you are gone, but will also help protect and grow those assets while you are alive. In order to do that, you may need to include additional estate planning tools and strategies in your plan above and beyond your Last Will and Testament. One common addition to a well thought out estate plan is a trust. Although trusts were once used primarily by the wealthy, they are now often found in the average person’s estate … [Read more...] about What Type of St. Louis Trusts Are Best to Protect My Estate from Creditors?
Can a St. Louis Estate Planning Attorney Help Me Decide How to Split Up My Estate among My Children?
For a parent, estate planning can require some difficult decisions to be made. This is particularly true if you are the parent of adult children because you must decide how you divide your estate among your children. Do you simply split the estate evenly without regard to any additional factors worth considering or do you consider those factors and split the estate unevenly among your children? There is no “right” or “wrong” answer, nor is there a simple way to make your decision. If you find … [Read more...] about Can a St. Louis Estate Planning Attorney Help Me Decide How to Split Up My Estate among My Children?
Have Researchers Found a Way to Stop Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Patients?
Given how prevalent the disease is, it is rare to find someone who is not at least indirectly affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Whether you have a parent, a neighbor, a friend, or even yourself, who has been diagnosed with the disease, you likely have a stake in finding a cure or at least finding a way to slow the disease’s progression. Despite the advancements in medicine and science over the last century, Alzheimer’s remains the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and is the only … [Read more...] about Have Researchers Found a Way to Stop Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Patients?
Resident on Resident Abuse Common in Nursing Homes
If you have a parent, or other elderly loved one, in nursing home you undoubtedly worry about the care they are receiving. Sadly, you may also need to worry about your loved one becoming the victim of abuse while living in a nursing home. What may be more shocking is that instead of a staff member, it may be another resident who is abusing your loved one, according to a recent study conducted by physicians who are affiliated with the Center for Aging Research and Clinical Care. Although it may … [Read more...] about Resident on Resident Abuse Common in Nursing Homes
Are You Entitled to Veterans Benefits?
All of us living in the United States owe our freedom and out way of life to the selfless service of millions of men and women who have served in the United States military. If you are one of those people, or are the spouse of a veteran, you may be entitled to a wide range of veterans benefits. All too often, veterans and their dependents are unaware of the type and/or extent of the benefits to which they are entitled as a result of their service to their country. Moreover, the benefits you … [Read more...] about Are You Entitled to Veterans Benefits?
How Are Wills Probated in St. Louis?
There is a very good chance that you will be directly involved in the probate of a Last Will and Testament at some time during your lifetime. For example, you might be appointed as the Executor in a decedent’s Will or be named as a beneficiary in a Will. In both cases, it will certainly be helpful if you know something about the probate process ahead of time. Even if you are never named as an Executor or beneficiary in someone else’s Will, you will undoubtedly include a Will in your own estate … [Read more...] about How Are Wills Probated in St. Louis?
Missouri Voters ID Bill Might Negatively Impact Seniors
For the second time in as many weeks, a contentious bill up for vote in Missouri is stalled. The bill would require that Missouri voters show a photo ID before they cast ballots. Opponents of the bill argue that requiring a photo identification will lead to trouble and confusion for an estimated 220,000 Missouri registered voters who lack a photo ID. State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, cast the voter ID debate as a civil rights issue, saying that the law would “disenfranchise African … [Read more...] about Missouri Voters ID Bill Might Negatively Impact Seniors
Why Do You Need an Estate Planning Attorney?
Hopefully, you are aware of the need to have an estate plan in place. Contrary to what many people believe, this need applies whether you are 25 or 55 and whether you have a relatively modest estate or a large one. You may wonder, however, whether you really need an estate planning attorney to help you create your estate plan. The answer is “yes,” it is in your best interest to have an experienced estate planning attorney on your side when you create your estate plan. Moreover, you will likely … [Read more...] about Why Do You Need an Estate Planning Attorney?
Can You Ever Modify an Irrevocable Trust?
When you decide to create a comprehensive estate plan you will likely consider including a wide variety of estate planning documents beyond a simple Last Will and Testament. A trust is among the most common additions to a well thought out estate plan. If you decide to add a trust to your estate plan you will need to decide what type of trust you wish to establish, including whether you want a revocable or an irrevocable trust. Although an irrevocable trust is generally thought of as being unable … [Read more...] about Can You Ever Modify an Irrevocable Trust?
