Estate Planning Basics

Learn the essentials around planning and protecting the future for your family and loved ones.

How a pooled trust protects your family
If your family member qualifies for Medicaid and SSI, how can they acquire additional income without being disqualified from these government programs? Find out how your family member can own additional assets without being disqualified.
February 14, 2023 · 3 min read
Creating an irrevocable burial trust
When creating an estate plan, be sure to consider the possibility of setting up an irrevocable burial trust. This fairly simple legal document may enable you to both pay funeral costs and secure Medicaid benefits for long-term care.
February 14, 2023 · 4 min read
When is it time to use a trustee deed?
Find out how a trustee deed is used to transfer ownership of real property in a foreclosure sale.
February 14, 2023 · 3 min read
Use your estate plan to take care of children with special needs
Children with special needs require a great deal of resources and support. Parents often worry about what will happen to their children with special needs after they are gone. Setting up a special needs trust can help ease your worry.
February 14, 2023 · 4 min read
9 things to avoid when naming your beneficiaries
Don't make these common mistakes when naming beneficiaries.
February 13, 2023 · 6 min read
When your digital existence outlives you: How to manage the digital afterlife
So much of modern life happens online, but most people don't have a plan for managing their digital accounts and assets if they're no longer able to. Learn why you need a plan for the digital afterlife and how to make one.
February 10, 2023 · 4 min read
Living trust: Trustor vs. trustee
Are you thinking about setting up a living trust? If so, you need to understand the difference between the trustor and trustee, how the two are related, and the role of each.
February 6, 2023 · 3 min read
Using a survivorship deed
If you want to avoid the probate process, consider using a survivorship deed. Is this estate planning tool right for you?
February 3, 2023 · 2 min read
Why you should consider creating a testamentary trust
Testamentary trusts are common estate planning tools for those with minor children. Find out whether this type of trust is right for your situation and how to go about setting one up.
February 2, 2023 · 3 min read
Using an intentionally defective grantor trust to protect your assets
An intentionally defective grantor trust (IDGT) is an estate planning tool that can help preserve your assets for your beneficiaries. Get the details on how they work—and how they might save your beneficiaries from paying exorbitant estate taxes.
February 2, 2023 · 4 min read