Legacy and Estate Planning

Here are some important steps you can take to secure your legacy for your family. Congratulations, Dad!  You’ve raised your children, who now have children of their own.  Despite all the obstacles of recent years, the family is thriving.  YouREAD MORE

Many well-off pet owners have left millions of dollars to their cats, dogs and even chickens—perhaps most notoriously Leona Helmsley, who left US$12 million when she died in 2007 to her white Maltese dog Trouble.

Frequent triggers also include changes in the health of executors and guardians; changes in laws, which may impact tax and legal strategies; and changes in state residence, which can also impact planning.

Here are some important parts of your estate plan that should be reviewed.

There are good reasons why people want their estates to avoid probate, and a lot of ways to do it.

While the number of older Americans with wills has been dropping in recent years, that doesn’t mean you should forego this legal document.

These vacation homes may also comprise a significant portion of the family’s wealth. Therefore, it’s understandable that homeowners want to pass their properties and family traditions to future generations.

The first step in getting your affairs in order is to gather up all your important personal, financial and legal information, so you can arrange it in a format that will benefit you now and your loved ones later.

Trust funds are an important estate planning tool. They can protect your assets while you’re alive and help ensure that you leave money to your children or other loved ones after you die.

What Is Residuary Estate?