October 21-27 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, which means it’s time to shed light on this often misunderstood and frequently avoided topic. You might think estate planning is only for the wealthy or too complicated and expensive. These are just a few myths surrounding estate planning that I hear often. In reality, estate planning...Read More

For those of us who have pets that would be left behind after we die, there may be a desire to make arrangements for their well-being. Making provisions for pets in your will can only be done through the establishment of a trust. Pets are considered property and, as such, cannot be left money or...Read More

Imagine discovering thousands of dollars that belong to you, only to be told you can’t have it. This frustrating scenario became a reality for a woman named Dale Benerofe, a Georgia resident when she found $23,000 in unclaimed property from her deceased parents. Her tragic story sheds light on a little-known issue that affects millions...Read More

BLENDED FAMILIES + DEATH = A POTENTIAL NIGHTMARE Anyone who’s seen an episode of “Modern Family” knows that families these days come in many different shapes and sizes. Long gone are the days when a “family” was defined as a mother, father and two children (or was it 2.5 children? Where does the .5 come...Read More

If you’ve given any thought about estate planning, you probably associate it with preparing for death. But did you know that there are critical reasons (and significant benefits) for planning while you’re still well and alive? That’s why I refer to my services as Life & Legacy Planning. When done right, planning for your assets...Read More

WHAT IS PROBATE Unless you’ve created a proper estate plan, when you die many of your assets must first pass through the court process known as probate before those assets can be distributed to your heirs. Like most court proceedings, probate can be time-consuming, costly, and open to the public, and because of this, avoiding...Read More

Naming Godparents Does Not Create Legal Guardians As a parent, your top priority is the well-being and future of your children. You plan for their education, health, and happiness, and often this planning includes the tradition of choosing godparents to guide and mentor your children if something happens to you. While selecting godparents is a meaningful...Read More

There are two primary types of trusts, revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts. People often come to us curious or confused about the differences between revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts. Revocable Living Trust A revocable living trust, also known simply as a living trust, is by far the most commonly used form of trust...Read More

By Dana M. Heyde You Are Being Asked To Be A Trustee It is an honor if a family member or friend has asked you to serve as trustee for their trust either during their life, or upon their death. This means they consider you among the most honest, reliable, and responsible people they know....Read More

A living trust is a written legal document that provides for the administration of an estate for the testator’s benefit during life, and then for their beneficiaries benefit upon death. A trust provides the opportunity to dictate how property will be disbursed upon death. It can also help ensure that assets will be managed according...Read More