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Credit shelter trusts are a way to take full advantage of state and federal estate tax exemptions. Although such trusts may appear needless unless you …

Congress sets the amount that an individual can transfer tax-free either during life or at death. The current estate tax exemption is so high that …

Gifting assets to your grandchildren can help them get a good start in life — it can also reduce the size of your estate and …

For most people, the durable power of attorney is the most important estate planning document available. What Is a Power of Attorney? When you have …

Estate administration is the process of managing and distributing a person’s property (the “estate”) after death.  If the person had a will, the will goes …

While it is important to have an updated estate plan, there is a great deal of information that your heirs should know that does not …

Being a trustee is a big responsibility and if you don't perform your duties properly, you could be personally liable. That's why it's important to …

Many movies and television shows feature a scene where family members gather after a relative has died to listen to the reading of the will. …

Having power of attorney over a family member is a big responsibility and sometimes it makes sense to share that responsibility with someone else. But …

Although your life insurance policy may pass to your heirs income tax-free, it can affect your estate tax. If you are the owner of the …

A power of attorney is a very important estate planning tool, but in fact there are several different kinds of powers of attorney that can …

Last Will and Testaments determine who gets an individual’s assets upon death. Generally, people can use wills to pass their estate to whomever they wish. …

Once you've taken the step to create a will and get your estate plan in order, you need to figure out what to do with …

You had a loving relationship with your mother and she always said she would leave everything to you and your siblings, but after she died, …

Being the executor of an estate is not a task to take lightly. The time and effort involved will vary with the size of the …

No one wants to face the fact that our loved ones will not be with us forever. Facing our own mortality is frightening as well. …

If you have been appointed the trustee of a trust, it is a strong vote of confidence in your judgment and trustworthiness. It is also …

Do you have a will? A durable power of attorney? A health care proxy? If so, no reason to read on. If not, why not? …

All trusts should be reviewed every few years to make sure that they are up-to-date with the law and meet your current goals. Following is …

When planning your estate it is important to understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets. What Is Probate? Probate is the process through which …

More and more, we are conducting our business on the Internet, whether that's online banking, shopping at Amazon and other sites, uploading documents and files to the …

When you inherit property, such as a house or stocks, the property is usually worth more than it was when the original owner purchased it. …

If you own property -- whether houses, bank accounts, or vehicles -- in more than one state, do you need estate planning documents for each …

"Will the State take my home if I go into a nursing home?" I am asked this question more than any other. Many people are …

The last thing anyone wants after the death of a family member is calls from debt collectors dunning the loved one's estate. While some family …

According to the 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Survey by Caring.com, only 34 percent of Americans have an estate plan. The primary reasons respondents gave for not …

Starting an estate plan can be overwhelming, and you probably have many questions. You are not alone. Below are eight questions people often ask about …

When people pass away, they leave behind assets, property, and possessions that can have sentimental and real value for surviving family members and loved ones. …

A trust is a legal document that you can set up to give assets to someone else. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable. If you …

The aging population is expected to transfer $30 trillion in the coming years, per Forbes. According to the Survey of Consumer Finances, the median inheritance is $69,000; the …

Although in many situations the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when selecting beneficiaries, there are always exceptions. What Is a Beneficiary? Beneficiaries are individuals who you select …

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, and impacted personal income taxes, small businesses, estate tax rules, capital gains …