Digital storage

Digital Storage We are increasingly relying on digital access and storage to manage our lives. It’s important for everyone involved in your estate to accept this and be knowledgeable about digital assets and how to manage them. As you begin to organize this digital information, remember the many websites where you’ve left a digital footprint […]

The Old-fashioned Way

The Old-Fashioned Way Although we are trending toward a paperless society, much of your life is probably on paper. Storing paper documents, passports, personal information such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, Social Security cards, military records, receipts and bills, vaccination records, and other files requires a lot of space and keeping them organized is a […]

Options for Storing Documents, Information, and Files

Options for Storing Documents, Information, and Files Updated: September 25. 2023 The Old-Fashioned Way Digital Storage Resources State-specific Digital Estate Planning Laws. everplans website. General References Digital Cheat Sheet: How To Create A Digital Estate Plan. everplans website. Accessed: September 25, 2023. Digital Estate Planning: How To Organize All Your Digital Property and Assets. everplans […]

Contesting Your Will

Twenty-five states are “categorically needy” or “income cap” states where Miller Trusts can be used to qualify for these benefits. Miller Trusts may be called Medicaid Income Trusts, Income Diversion Trusts, Income Cap Trusts, Irrevocable Income Trusts, Income Trusts, d4B trusts, or Income Only Trusts. Some states require that you be 65 years or older […]

Dying without a Will – Laws of Intestate Succession

What are the consequences if you don’t arrange a will before passing away? Everything about the fate of your estate will be out of your hands and your assets are distributed to your next of kin (i.e. your closest family members) even if that is not what you wanted. In other words, any non-family member or charity you would have wanted to be a beneficiary would not receive anything. In the case that you have no next of kin, your assets are taken by the state.

Updating Your Will

Updating Your Will Updated: January 15, 2024 Creating a New Will Revoking a Will Altering a Will Using Codicils (Addenda or Additions) Creating your will is only half the work. You must keep it up to date with any changes that will alter your estate plans. You may need to add a few things or […]

Guardians/Conservators

Guardians and Conservators Updated: January 12, 2024 Choosing a Guardian Your Children’s Guardian Guardianship of Incapacitated or Disabled Persons Tasks of the Guardian Ending a Guardianship After you pass away and you either have no surviving spouse or your spouse dies at the same time, there may be minor children or other dependents such as […]

Your Executor/Personal Representative

Your Personal Representative/Executor Updated: January 11, 2024 Choosing an Executor Tasks of an Executor The Estate Account Digital Executor A personal representative, also know as an executor, is the person or persons you name to settle your will. They have the most important role in seeing that your estate is handled according to your directions […]

What Should be Included in a Will

What Should be Included in a Will Updated: January 2, 2024 Your Beneficiaries Your Choice of Executor/Personal Representative Your Choice of Guardians for Minor Children or Dependent Adults Your Assets Your will should include basic personal information such as your full name, birthdate, and address. You should include any other names you go by, as […]

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries Updated: October 16, 2023 Primary Beneficiaries Contingent Beneficiaries Trust as a Beneficiary in Your Will or Retirement Plan Beneficiaries are the people you choose to inherit part or all of your estate after your death. Adult beneficiaries can be named as executors and/or trustees, but shouldn’t sign as witnesses of any estate documents. They […]