A personal representative named in a Last Testament is allowed to be an out of state resident only if that individual is a blood relative or a relative through an existing marriage. If a representative does not satisfy this criteria, a person is still able to use an alternative to estate…
One of the most common myths that exists about trust asset protection is that it is something that only the very wealthy need to worry about. In reality, many different types of individuals should consider using trusts to protect a person’s assets. Asset protection trusts are one of the best…
Since obtaining the right to marry, same-sex couples have experienced some significant advancements. There are some special considerations, however, that same sex couples must pay attention to when estate planning. For one, same-sex couples must often perform extra planning to fully address. As a result, the assistance of an estate…
Tax preparation is one of the most important considerations when creating an estate plan. Whenever a person or business creates an estate plan, there are multiple types of taxes to avoid – inheritance taxes, estate taxes, and income taxes, to name a few. Without a proper estate plan, these taxes…
Although passing an estate through probate can be an unnecessarily long and expensive process, it is usually an administrative task through which heirs receive their inheritance as the deceased saw fit to award. However, family dynamics can complicate the expediency at which executors are able to pass some estates through…
Under state and federal laws, nursing homes can only evict patients for a limited set of reasons and are supposed to face serious civil penalties if they break the law to force residents out on the street. However, these same caregivers have very intimate knowledge of the regulatory system and…
Acting as the executor to an estate is an important duty with many responsibilities. While it may seem overwhelming and confusing at first, there are some very simple and basic first steps executors need to take that can help acclimate them to the process and help ensure that the deceased’s…
A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) claims state and federal agencies tasked with evaluating experimental programs from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Studies (CMS) fail to properly evaluate the initiatives. According to the report, some states can take years to finish evaluations and complete reports on…
A new study recently published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine suggests that doctors and patients could make use of the time old “bucket list” to make improved decisions on end of life care. The bucket list is typically understood as a list of accomplishments or experiences an individual wishes…
Comprehensive estate planning should be a continuing process. It is important to review your estate plan periodically, especially after major life events occur. An experienced estate planning attorney that helps you review your comprehensive estate plan as part of their service can make sure that you address changing needs and…