A Last Will and Testament remains the cornerstone for most comprehensive estate plans; however, additional tools, strategies, and techniques are commonly used to help reach various estate planning goals and objectives within the overall estate plan. In recent years, including a trust in an overall estate plan has become increasingly popular. Trusts are broadly divided first into “testamentary” and “living” trusts. A testamentary trust is one that does not become active until the death of the … [Read more...] about Who Should Be the Trustee of My Living Trust?
Can Faith Play a Part in Your Estate Plan?
For many people, faith plays an integral role in their daily life. If you are one of them, you may have wondered how to integrate your faith into your estate planning endeavors. More importantly can faith play a part in your estate plan? The answer to that question is “yes,” faith can play a significant role in your estate plan by working with an experienced Missouri estate planning attorney who is aware of your beliefs and who can help you integrate those beliefs into your estate plan. If your … [Read more...] about Can Faith Play a Part in Your Estate Plan?
Understanding Life Insurance
A comprehensive estate plan is one that takes you from today through the end of your life and beyond. It should contemplate the protection and growth of assets throughout your lifetime as well as provide for loved ones after you death. Given the highly personal nature of estate planning, no two estate plans are even exactly the same; however, there are some common components, such as life insurance. If you are relatively new to estate planning, understanding life insurance and how the different … [Read more...] about Understanding Life Insurance
How Are Trust Assets Invested?
A modern day estate plan typically includes a wide variety of estate planning tools and strategies that go beyond a simple Last Will and Testament. One of the most common of those tools is a trust agreement. Trusts have evolved over the past century or so to the point where there is a specialized trust for almost any estate planning objective. All trust, however, have a few basic elements in common, starting with the need to appoint a Trustee. The Trustee of any trust is responsible for … [Read more...] about How Are Trust Assets Invested?
Financial Abuse of the Elderly Is Among the Fastest Growing Crimes in America
Over the last several decades the elderly population in the United States has grown considerably, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, experts predict that by the year 2050 the number of older Americans (65 and older) will outnumber the number of younger Americans (under 21) for the first time in history. As the elderly population continues to grow, so do the incidences of elder abuse. Elder abuse can take many different forms, including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and … [Read more...] about Financial Abuse of the Elderly Is Among the Fastest Growing Crimes in America
Why Co-Habitating Couples Need an Estate Plan
Not all that long ago in the United States society frowned on couples who lived together outside of the bonds of matrimony. In the 21st century though, more and more couples are choosing to put off marriage until later in life, or forego the formality of marriage altogether. If you have decided to postpone marriage but are living with a partner you need to know why estate planning is so important for co-habitating couples. The institution of marriage has both an emotional and a legal component. … [Read more...] about Why Co-Habitating Couples Need an Estate Plan
Life Events that Should Trigger an Estate Plan Update
In the United States it is estimated that less than half of all adults have an estate plan in place. If you are among that minority you are to be commended; however, do not make the mistake that people so often make of forgetting about your estate plan after it is created. Often, an outdated estate plan creates far more problems than it solves when the time comes to probate the estate. To ensure that your estate plan is accurate and current you should take the time to review your plan at regular … [Read more...] about Life Events that Should Trigger an Estate Plan Update
Top Five Estate Planning Mistakes
Your estate plan may very well be the most important set of documents you create during your lifetime. With that in mind it certainly makes sense to do everything possible to avoid making mistakes within the plan or during the planning stage. The best way to avoid making a mistake with your estate plan is to work closely with an experienced Missouri estate planning attorney. It may also help to keep the following top five estate planning mistakes in mind throughout the planning process and … [Read more...] about Top Five Estate Planning Mistakes
What Inheritance Rights Does a Child Conceived after Death Have?
Not all that long ago, an infertile couple’s only real option for becoming parents was to adopt a child. Not so today. Thanks to advances in medicine and technology, seemingly infertile couples now have a wide variety of potential pathways to parenthood. Though the link between infertility treatments and estate planning may not seem obvious at first glance, it is there. One fertility related estate planning question the law has been struggling with in recent years is “What inheritance rights … [Read more...] about What Inheritance Rights Does a Child Conceived after Death Have?
Free Report: Contesting a Last Will and Testament in Missouri
Your Last Will and Testament is intended to be your opportunity to decide what will happen to your estate assets after your death. Because you will not be around when the validity of your Will is potentially questioned, it is imperative that you do everything possible to ensure your Will can withstand a challenge if necessary. Because the average person has never been involved in challenging a Will during the probate of an estate most people do not realize the financial cost and emotional toll … [Read more...] about Free Report: Contesting a Last Will and Testament in Missouri
