Estate Planning Articles

You might look at your eighteen-year-old and see an average teenager, but, legally speaking, eighteen means adulthood. When your child turns eighteen, you no longer have the right to manage their property, access their medical records, or do any number of things you’ve taken for granted until now. Learn about the practical problems this can present and how you can plan around them.

For most people, dying without an estate plan means burdening loved ones with added inconvenience, delay and expense. For same-sex couples, however, dying without an estate plan can spell disaster. Find out why and learn what you can do about it.

As you review your vacation checklist, make sure you’re not forgetting your estate plan. Without an up-to-date estate plan, a vacation emergency could leave you and your loved ones vulnerable. Here’s what you need to know.

A loved one has given you the honor and responsibility of serving as a successor Trustee. But what does this really mean? Keep reading to learn about the responsibilities involved in administering a Trust.

Sopranos star James Gandolfini died in 2013 at the age of 51. Within weeks of his death, his Will was made public and put under a media microscope. Why did this happen and, more importantly, what lessons can you learn from it to protect yourself and your family?

Your estate plan covers your real estate, your financial accounts, and your family heirlooms, but what about your digital assets? Learn what your digital assets are and how to protect them.

Does your child with Down syndrome receive government benefits? If yes, using your Will to leave money directly to your child can jeopardize his or her government benefits. Learn how a Special Needs Trust can provide long-term protection for your child.

With college costs at an all-time high and no relief in sight, parents and grandparents are looking for ways to maximize their education savings dollars. Learn how you can combine the savings from an education trust with the tax savings feature of a deferred annuity to increase your college spending power.

The living trust is an incredibly popular estate planning option, but what is it exactly? Explore the uses and benefits of a living trust as you decide whether this planning tool is the right option for you.

A simple way to reduce your estate tax bill is to make financial gifts during your lifetime. Children and grandchildren are natural recipients of our generosity, but there are a few things you’ll want to consider if they are still minors. Here are some common strategies for sharing your wealth with the children in your lives.