Estate Planning

The executor who has been tasked with handling an estate has a lot of responsibilities. They have to locate all of someone's property, repay their creditors, file their final income tax return and distribute the remaining property to the beneficiaries of the estate....

The company that you purchased, built or inherited may be part of the legacy you have dreamed of leaving for your children. You may have chosen someone, perhaps your oldest child, as your ideal successor for the business. You might intend to leave the company to them...

You’ve always been a responsible person, and you consider your estate plans to be the last, loving act that you can do for your family.  Should you, then, invest in a prepaid funeral and burial (or cremation) plan? It seems like that would take some burdens off your...

Thinking about your death is never an easy thing for most people. The very thought that you will one day pass on is usually a challenge for even the strongest among us. However, if you have assets and wish to pass those on in a particular fashion, then it is important...

It is important that you have the ability to tell others how you want to be treated if you need medical care. If you’re unable to speak on your own behalf, will the people around you know what you want?  If you’re not sure that those who surround you will listen to...

You’re getting up there in years -- but so are your adult children. While your family has always been a long-lived bunch, there is still the possibility that one of your children won’t live long enough to receive their inheritance (especially if probate drags on)....

When you open up a financial account, you answer specific questions. One of these has to do with what you want to happen to the account if you pass away. The bank sets up a payable on death designation based on your wishes. This is formally known as a Totten trust. ...

Having a well-developed estate plan can give you a sense of peace that you never expected. Many in Bakersfield, California, have expressed surprise over how good it feels to complete this critical stage in preparing for the end of one’s life. At first, estate planning...

Estate planning allows someone to create a will, trust and other end-of-life plans. It also keeps the person’s estate from going through probate after their death. That’s not the only purpose of an estate plan, however. Here are three ways having your estate plan...

Your estate plan outlines what you want to happen to your assets when you pass away. It’s imperative that you have this in place since you never know what the future holds. Working with someone familiar with estate planning can help you be prepared. While you’re...