Estate Planning Basics
Learn the essentials around planning and protecting the future for your family and loved ones.
-
Trust vs. Will: Key Differences
Understanding trusts, wills, and how they differ can help you protect your legacy long after you're gone.
· 10 min read
-
Will vs. Living Trust: Which Is Best for Your Estate Planning?
Wills and trusts can help you shape an estate plan to fit your needs. Knowing the differences between wills vs. living trusts can help you decide whether you need just one or both.
· 9 min read
-
When Is an Estate Planning Attorney Crucial to Your Estate Plan?
An estate planning attorney helps protect your beneficiaries from dealing with the probate court and ensures your wishes are followed after you're gone.
· 7 min read
-
What You Need to Know About Your Spouse's Finances
No one likes to think about losing a spouse, but it's important to be prepared for unfortunate circumstances. Being unprepared only makes a difficult situation more difficult. Talk to your spouse now so you're both prepared in the event of a tragedy.
· 3 min read
-
What Is a Trustee and What Do They Do?
Part asset manager, part legal representative, a trustee is responsible for carrying out the deceased’s final wishes and protecting their beneficiaries.
· 8 min read
-
What Changes Should You Make to Your Estate Plan During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
As the death toll from coronavirus continues to rise around the world, many people have drafted or revised their estate plans, as a safety precaution during these unprecedented times.
· 4 min read
-
What Is a Transfer on Death Deed and How Does It Work?
A transfer on death deed specifies who inherits property after the owner’s death, offering a simple and inexpensive way to avoid probate for real estate.
· 7 min read
-
Understanding a Healthcare Proxy
An essential element of your estate plan, a healthcare proxy takes effect when you're temporarily incapacitated—but requirements vary by state.
· 5 min read
-
Run Your Home Like a Business: Your Estate Planning Checklist
An estate plan allows you to express what you want to happen should you become incapacitated, as well as make sure your possessions end up in the right hands after your death.
· 4 min read
-
How to Get a Death Certificate
You may need a copy of your loved one's death certificate as you begin to wrap up their affairs. Here's what you need to know to take the necessary steps to finish handling your loved one's estate.
· 7 min read
