What Happens After I Die? Your Will and the Probate Process
If you have a Will when you pass away, the Will must be validated so that your final wishes can be legally honored and carried out. The Will must go through a process called probate before your estate is distributed. What is Probate? This is a legal procedure of the probate court reviewing and verifying […]
Your Guide to Probate: All You Need to Know
Unfortunately, most of us will have to go through the probate process at some point in our lives. Whether you are to be the beneficiary of your family’s estate, or if you’re just curious about the process, it is always handy to have an understanding of how the system works just so you can be […]
What Happens to Your Bank Account When You Die?
Have you ever thought about what happens to your bank account when you die? If you are the sole account owner and don’t have a Will, there’s going to be a problem. Sole Account Owner – Access Denied “A bank account in an individual’s name alone will require a court order to access it,” explains […]
Last Will & Testament vs. Living Will: What’s the Difference?
Since they share similar names, there is often confusion about the difference between a Will and a Living Will. They are both important estate planning documents but they serve two quite different purposes. A Will becomes effective when you die while a Living Will serves – as its name implies – while you are living. […]
Estate Planning: Your Guide to Get Started, Conversations to Have, and More
It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day. After all, we spend our entire lives caring for the people we love. And, when it comes to family planning, we want to make sure they have everything they need. According to the AARP, today more than half of the adults in the country […]
Estate Planning and Charitable Donations
Watch the Webinar If you regularly donate to your church or favorite charity, you may be considering gifting a part of your estate when you pass. As part of your Estate Plan, you can specify what, who, and how much when it comes to charitable donations. Three Legal Documents Power of Attorney, a Will, and […]
The Importance of Ownership in Estate Planning
When creating your Estate Plan, an often overlooked but critical element is to make an inventory of what you own and how you own it. What does that mean? Sometimes you do not own all your assets individually, and sometimes you own them jointly with a spouse or someone else. With some assets, you may […]
Remote Notarizations During Covid-19
States are allowing remote notarization as an emergency measure during the Covid-19 pandemic.