How Does Divorce Impact Your Will Beneficiary Designations
Divorce happens. And, if it is happening to you, you will want to know how it affects your will beneficiary designations. Divorce and Will Beneficiary Designation The last thing on your mind might be your death. But, your will and beneficiary designation is a serious part of your divorce. Take the time to do some proper…
The Single Mom’s Guide to Estate Planning
Today, 1 in 4 children under the age of 18 are being raised without a father. As a single mother, you carry the tremendous responsibility for making sure your children are healthy, happy, and well-protected. From diapers to college applications, you are there for your kids for the rest of their lives. Estate planning helps provide the…
Your Questions About Setting Up a Trust, Answered: Who, Why, When & How?
Do you want the wealth and property you have accumulated to really help make a difference in the lives of people and institutions you care about? Have you thought about what would happen to your assets in the event of your death? Wills can be helpful, but setting up a trust may just be an iron-clad…
What is a Meretricious Relationship?
What is a meretricious relationship? While many couples will split up between their first and second year, others will live together for years or even decades without marriage. If both parties can not agree or do not believe in the traditions of marriage, they might still be regarded under the law as in a meretricious…
Aretha Franklin Did Not Leave a Will
Many of us were saddened by the news Aretha Franklin died and were surprised she did not leave a will. What did this mean for her estimated $80 million estate? Would it go to her sons or other family members? What about her lawyer, agent, and other people who helped her career? Is there such…
What Guardianship Forms Do I Need To Protect My Children?
Anyone with a child should have an estate plan. A fundamental part of your estate planning is setting up the appropriate guardianship forms should something happen to you. Unfortunately, many people do not have an estate plan or guardianship plans because they either have not thought about it or they are unsure how to start….
Tenancy By the Entirety: Transfer Property to Your Partner
First Thing to note – Tenancy by the Entirety is not recognized in Washington State or Idaho. Instead, Washington & Idaho recognize Joint Tenancy which is close to the concept of Tenancy by the Entirety. In this article, we will discuss how to transfer property to your partner if you live in a state that recognizes…
How You Can and Should Educate Your Family About Your Estate Planning Forms
Having an estate plan in order is the best way to protect your family if you unexpectedly die or become disabled. Fundamentally, an estate plan is a collection of necessary forms and instructions for people to use and follow when they eventually become necessary (and they will someday). Once you have estate plan established, and…
What is a Meretricious Relationship?
When working through estate planning, estate transference, or family planning issues, things are not always as clear-cut as we tend to write about here. For instance, what if you and your unmarried partner (in a meretricious relationship) c0-parent a child from one of your earlier relationships and there’s an untimely death, who will be…
Pay For a Loved One’s Education With an Education Trust Fund
Today’s parents are all too familiar with the budget-busting cost of funding a child’s college education. It can be challenging enough to put aside sufficient savings for a single child’s education, but for multiple kids, the price tag can make donating a kidney for extra cash seem downright reasonable! In fact, a survey by…