After the memorial service has ended, and every casserole or ham has been served to grieving friends and family, the decedent’s surviving spouse begins a new role. As difficult as it may be, there are actions that a surviving spouse should take as soon as possible after a death. Contact Stuart probate lawyer John Mangan Hopefully...
People come to estate planning with different goals, different estate problems, and different family circumstances. Some people have very simple estates that require very simple estate planning while others need advanced planning. Trusts are a common estate planning tool. If you are unsure how a living trust might help you, read on to learn eight reasons...
Skyrocketing senior care costs can ruin an estate plan by depleting assets. Long-term care insurance is a hedge against the cost of senior care. We insure our homes, our businesses, our boats, and even our lives. We buy insurance in anticipation of future risk – damage to property, loss of income, or loss of life. Long-term...
Your Will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. So, it makes sense to have a Will that is complete. To do so, you will need to understand the most important elements of a valid Will. The Testator and the Elements of a Valid Will For a Will to be valid, the...
About 10 million households in the United States own recreational vehicles. The purpose of owning a recreational vehicle is usually to have fun or visit friends. But since the average purchase price for recreational vehicles ranges from $6,000 for a small camping trailer to $500,000 for a motorhome, the RV may end up being adding to...
Gary served as executor of his dad’s estate. Molly prepared a complete estate plan, which she updated every year. James was concerned that the executor of his mother’s estate was not doing a good job. All three of these people at some point probably asked themselves, “What is a probate estate asset?” Frankly, it is not...
Malcolm decided it was time. He knew he needed a Will and was thinking about writing it himself. I mean, how hard could it be, right? His friend, Peter, talked to him about why he needed to hire an estate planning lawyer. Using the Right Asset Protection Some estates greatly benefit from estate planning strategies that...
DIY estate planning mistakes can destroy your legacy, leave the most important people in your life destitute, or shred relationships. Some say a man who represents himself in a legal proceeding has a fool for a client. Chief Justice Warren Burger probably heard that saying, as it is very common in the legal field. However, if...
Summer Travel, That Special Time of The Year Vacationers have so many things to do before they leave home. Between summer travel reservations, packing, and asking someone to pick up your mail, it may be hard to get it all done. There’s another matter that should be added to your to-do list, however. It’s not an...
Maria has a small child, a daughter named Alyssa. Lionel is an unmarried business owner. Simon is a college student with few possessions or debts. They all have something in common: they don’t have estate plans. In fact, when asked why they don’t have Wills, they all engage in the same estate planning excuses. They don’t...
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