If you and your spouse are pondering how you're going to develop your estate plan ahead of retaining an attorney, you may picture your assets being handed down in a fairly linear fashion. When one of you dies, the other one gets everything. When they die, your children will inherit everything. If you don't have children, maybe you decide that your assets will go to your favorite nonprofit organization or the college where you met decade ago.
How do you plan for simultaneous family member deaths?
Protecting a deceased loved one from identity theft
If a loved one has passed away, you're likely dealing with a host of responsibilities involving their estate -- particularly if you're the executor. You're handling all of this while you're still in the grieving process.
Don't forget your student loan debt in your estate planning
As the cost of higher education increases, so does the amount of student loan debt held by Americans. Some people are paying off their student loans even after they've retired. Others are still paying off loans they've taken out for their children.
Aretha Franklin's family still fighting for control of her estate
When people with considerable assets and complicated families pass away without an estate plan in place, loved ones and others often engage in expensive, lengthy, contentious legal battles. That's probably not what the deceased person would have wanted. Unfortunately, people don't want to think about their ultimate passing, so they don't take steps that would help avoid these disputes.
Why your estate planning should begin when you're a young adult
Many people don't begin to think about estate planning until they're nearing -- or already in -- retirement. However, younger adults are starting to see the advantages of at least beginning to build an estate plan. According to a survey by Caring.com, about a third of adults in their mid-30s to mid-40s have drafted a will.
Don't forget your digital assets when developing your estate plan
As you work on your estate plan, much of your focus will be on what will happen to your assets when you die. Who will get the money in your accounts, your home, your antiques and more?
What is inheritance theft?
Inheritance theft takes many forms. It's often not as simple as someone taking possession of a deceased loved one's wedding ring from the hospital or walking out of the house with a set of fine china because it was "promised" to them.
Certain actions call for a removal of a trustee from their role
Individuals who set up trusts do so to protect their funds from being overtaxed, easily squandered and to protect a loved one's eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid. It can be unnerving for you to find out that your trustee isn't carrying out their assigned duties or acting in a financially prudent way. Many signs may send a message to you that it's time to replace your trustee.
Should I contest my relative's will?
Your rich relative died and left everything to charity. You were hoping for a windfall. Can you contest the will?
Common examples of unintentional executor misconduct
Most people who are chosen to be executors of a loved one's estate aren't estate planning attorneys. However, they have legal obligations under Ohio probate laws. You don't want to run afoul of those laws.
