A special needs trust sets aside funds to benefit a person with a disability. These trusts are common tools for parents of children with special needs, as they improve the beneficiary's quality of life without interfering with his or her eligibility for needs-based...
Wills & Trusts
3 questions to ask if you suspect undue influence in a will
Even though they lead a healthy and active lifestyle, your parents will not live forever. Still, they likely want to have some control over what happens to their assets after they are gone. A well-written will is a good way to achieve this goal. In simple terms, a...
5 mistakes to avoid with respect to beneficiary designations
The naming of beneficiaries for retirement accounts and life insurance policies seems a fairly straightforward process. However, the changes that occur in life may affect the beneficiary designations you have made, or in some cases, have not made. Here are five...
Protecting your aging father’s estate from undue influence
If you have an elderly father, you probably want to encourage him to think about estate planning. With some advance consideration, your aging loved one can keep some control over what happens to his assets after death. You must also ensure that someone does not exert...
Warning signs your parent’s will may be invalid
The reading of the will tends to be a dramatic event in movies and books, typically ending in an unpleasant surprise for the family. Despite the common dramatization, these scenarios do happen in real life, leading loved ones to contest the will. However, the signs...
What you need to know about challenging a will
Your grandmother always said she would leave you a substantial inheritance. But then when the attorney read her Nevada will after she died, it failed to mention you. Instead, she left almost her entire estate to your cousin who had taken care of her the last year of...
Understanding the duties of a trustee
People work hard to obtain their assets. It is only right that those individuals be able to delegate their assets as they desire. A proper estate plan can aid in accomplishing this, and a trust is a beneficial tool within the plan. A trustee is the party in charge of...
How to include a pet in an estate plan
People love their animals, which is why so many stories pop up of rich people who have passed away leaving behind millions of dollars to their dog or cat. Most people just want to make sure someone will look after their pet if they pass away. Typically, ownership of a...
Are you unhappy with the trust administration process?
When your loved one passes away, the trustee is responsible for administering the trust. This individual must adhere to the terms of the trust, communicate with beneficiaries and manage assets properly. Unfortunately, not ever trustee lives up to these expectations....
3 tips for being a good trustee
If you are responsible for managing and administering trust assets, you may be looking for advice. Taking on the role of trustee can be intimidating and confusing at times. Of course, you want to do your best to honor the creator of the trust and beneficiaries. Being...