Estate Planning – The Most Common Mistakes

Compiled is a list of some of the most common mistakes individuals make in estate planning. Please review the list, but also plan to meet with a qualified attorney to review your unique estate.

Estate Planning - Protecting Your Spouse

Over views advance protection measures one takes to protect their spouse when doing estate planning above and beyound joint tenancy laws.

A Guide to Purchasing Real Estate in Mexico for Americans

For Americans buying their dream property in Mexico, it’s important to understand the differences between Mexico’s real estate system and that of the United States. It’s never safe to assume that any law or process is the same between the two systems, and oftentimes they are completely different.

Living Wills and Healthcare Power of Attorneys Help to Make Sure Your Wishes are Met

No one can foresee problems that may arise should he become incapacitated. Yet, you can avoid negative consequences of unforeseen problems by creating Living Wills and Healthcare Power of Attorneys (HCPOA).

Estate Planning - Capacity Challenges

Over views the elements of capacity used to contest the legality of a will. Looks at mental deficiency, insane delusion and mental derangement characteristics that have been used to invalidate a will.

Estate Planning - Rules and Trustees

Reviews problems associated with forming a trust such as deciding the powers which the trustee(s) have and do not have relative to the assets placed into a trust.

Estate Planning - Undue Influence

Over views common means of contesting a will such as undue influence, lack of capacity, psychological domination and/or degenerated mental state.

Write Before You Cannot Speak!

Design appears everywhere. From spider web to bridge spans, structure supports purpose. Trees have it, bees live it, and the earth orbits around it. Designs in nature inspire some while others procra...

Three Advantages a Roth IRA May Offer Your Estate Plan

Many may not consider the possibilities that a Roth IRA can offer an estate plan. But, there are three advantages that a Roth IRA can offer if your estate value is under the Applicable Exclusion Amount ($1.5 million in 2005, and $2 million in years 2006 & 2007) and if one of your planning goals is to leave as much money as possible to your heirs.

Probate: A Simple Explanation of a Daunting Topic

Always wondered what probate is and what it's for? Get a straight-forward explanation here.

Sometimes a Conservator can be a Good Thing!

The thought of having a conservator appointed for a parent or relative - even a friend or neighbor - is something we all seem to loath. It has all sorts of negative connotations, including the fact that a conserved individual will be paraded through the probate courts with psychiatric and medical evaluations open for all to see. But, most of all, it's the loss of dignity that results when the state declares an individual incapable - and takes away his or her right to vote, or marry, or divorce, or write a check, or pay a bill, or make any other meaningful decisions. It's a position that no one wants to come to in this life.

Some Simple Strategies For Protecting Your Assets

There are many small steps to take that will add up to big savings in the end. If you value the assets you have accumulated, or if you feel you should be accumulating more, take this advice and make some minor changes.

Estate Planning in Light of a Remarriage - Ensuring the Care of Your Children

The staggering amount of divorces that occur in today’s society is all too well known. Depending upon the circumstances that lead to the break-up of any marriage, one may think that getting into another such arrangement would be out of the question. However, this is not always the case. In fact, the Stepfamily Association of America reports that about 43% of all marriages are remarriages for at least one of the adults, and of these, about 65% involve children from a prior marriage.

Selecting Trustees and Executors - Some Considerations and Ideas

Selecting an executor or trustee is often the last consideration when preparing an estate plan. When planning out a will or trust, it seems so much more important and interesting to decide how the property is to be given away! Oftentimes, the issue of who takes the reins as the executor or trustee takes a back seat to these other issues. But little is more important.