Estate Planning

If you are a parent, the hardest part of estate planning is considering who will care for your minor children if you die. If you die and your children are without a surviving parent, a probate court makes that choice. We give you five tips for naming a guardian and five mistakes to avoid when making the choice.

In the wake of Queen Elizabeth's passing, many are wondering about her pets. The late monarch was known for her penchant for Pembroke Welsh Corgis. At her death, she left behind four dogs. There was speculation that family members or staff may take in the dogs. But it was unclear. Her son Prince Andrew and former daughter-in-law Sarah Ferguson stepped up to care for the Queen's corgis. But was this arranged before her death? Did the queen have a plan for the care of her dogs?

Raising children is difficult these days. Was it ever easy? However, it is even more challenging if you are a single parent. Not only are your kids dependent on you during your life, but you must also plan for someone to care for them if you die or are incapacitated due to a significant illness or injury. It is a common situation. In the United States, 23% of children under 18 live in single-parent households. If you are not around, who will care for your children? Having the right legal documents is critically important for single parents to protect their loved ones.

Before his death in 2018, Marvel comic co-creator Stan Lee was the victim of alleged financial abuse. Police charged Lee's manager with fraud, forgery, and false imprisonment of his client. There are also allegations that the manager mismanaged over $5 million of Lee's money and moved Lee out of his home and hired security guards to keep his family away. If a celebrity can be taken in with all of their money and visibility, how can you protect your aging parents from falling victim to financial exploitation?

The most common reason someone does not have a will is procrastination. The second-most common reason people do not have a will is that they do not think it is worth it. They think, "I'm not rich, so what is the big deal?" However, there are many reasons why making a last will and testament is critical to protect your family, your money, and your assets.

When writing a last will and testament, if you are married or in a domestic partnership, you may wonder what property is "yours" to give to beneficiaries. Property ownership is confusing, especially if you are married or in a community property state.