Incapacity Planning and Pets
Few US adults have an estate plan. Even fewer have included a pet in their plan. Perhaps you have an estate plan that addresses who will take your pet when you die. But does it address the possibility of your incapacity and the need for a temporary pet caretaker?
Things to Consider When a Parent Is Out of Town
Your estate plan may include powers of attorney that allow a trusted person to act on your behalf and advocate for you with regard to medical and financial matters when you cannot do so yourself. But do you have a similar document in place that gives someone the authority to care for your minor children when you are not able to? What if you are traveling or away on business or vacation?
3 More Famous Pet Trust Cases and the Lessons We Can Learn from Them
3 More Famous Pet Trust Cases and the Lessons We Can Learn from Them. Sometimes, pet owners can get a bit creative when providing for their pets’ future care. The following three famous cases involving pet trusts offer some important lessons.
Can I Leave My Spouse Out of My Estate Plan?
The relationship between spouses is special in all contexts, not the least of which is the estate planning context. In many instances, you can exclude people from your estate plan, including your parents, siblings, and adult children. But there are special protections built into the law that may help protect a spouse from being disinherited.
A Trust for Fluffy or Fido? Why Every Pet Parent Needs to Consider a Pet Trust Today
Estate planning is about protecting what is important to you. Although much of the traditional estate planning conversation focuses on surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, and charities, many pet parents wonder what could happen to their “furry children” after their death.
What Is a General Power of Appointment?
Your family, the economy, the law, and society can change rapidly and unexpectedly, affecting your best-laid estate plans in unpredictable ways. To achieve your estate planning goals, you need a plan that can keep up with the changes. What is a General Power of Appointment, how does it work and reasons to use it.
Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Go Up in Smoke
Fewer people are creating estate plans today than in years past. Every adult—whether they are 19 or 99—should have a will at a minimum. Many people can also benefit from estate planning documents such as trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives. But even if you have created a comprehensive estate plan, it may no longer align with your objectives if it is not up to date.
Why Snow White’s Father Should Have Had an Estate Plan
Many of us are familiar with the story of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Central to the story is the relationship between Snow White and her stepmother. While things were peaceful for a while, once the king passed away, the Queen’s true colors came to light. This fairy tale shows the conflict that can exist when the unifying member of the family dies without an estate plan.
Estate Planning Is About Knowing Your Priorities
Thinking about the world and how our loved ones will fare after we pass away can be very difficult. However, by proactively planning and prioritizing your goals, you can craft an estate plan that allows your wish to provide the best future for your loved ones to become a reality. The first step in creating an estate plan is to consider your priorities. Your goals and wishes will be unique to your circumstances, the needs of your loved ones, and your desires to support your favorite charities.
To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now
As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and addresses the things that matter most to you.
Navigating the Fiscal Year 2025 Greenbook: Key Trust and Estate Tax Proposals
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released its General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue Proposals. Commonly referred to as the Greenbook, this document lays out tax proposals that would support President Biden’s policy priorities if he is reelected to a second term.
Wrongful Death and Probate
Wrongful death lawsuits and probate proceedings are both civil legal matters that occur after somebody has died. While probate proceedings are fairly common when a person dies, very few deaths give rise to a wrongful death claim. However, wrongful death and probate can intersect if somebody dies due to another’s misconduct.