American adults increasingly manage many of their affairs online – from bill payments to banking and even business deals. When considering where best to secure an estate plan, online solutions like cloud drives and dropboxes might seem like the perfect fit. However,...
From chaos to clarity: Master the art of estate administration
Being chosen as an executor means the deceased trusted you enough to believe you will ensure their final wishes come true. It is an immense honor to be chosen, but the intricacies of estate administration can sometimes be overwhelming. Fortunately, an approach...
Is it time to review your estate plan?
Despite the importance of drafting an estate plan, it is something that many Americans have yet to do. In fact, over half of all eligible adults have no estate plan. Even if you have made that step and drafted a plan, estate planning is a constant process. Your estate...
Should you really wait to make an estate plan?
When you ask someone if they’ve made an estate plan, they may tell you that they haven’t done it yet. After all, most people do not have a plan right now. Many people give excuses for why they’re putting it off or procrastinating. Let’s look at two common reasons and...
Do estate distributions have to be equal?
You always assumed that your parents would make things roughly equal when they left their assets to you and your sibling. That’s why you’re so shocked when they pass away and the estate plan reveals that your sibling gets 90% of the assets that your parents owned....
How long might creditor claims delay estate administration?
The probate process in Indiana is relatively complex. Those who have never lost a loved one before may not be familiar with the rules that apply to probate proceedings. Most people only know that probate court can reduce how much someone inherits and may require a...
How digital assets complicate estate planning
A few decades ago, someone who had a movie collection may have bought numerous VHS tapes. Someone who was interested in building up a nice music collection may have purchased thousands of dollars worth of records, along with a record player. These collections could be...
Safeguarding your legacy: Minimize the chances of will disputes
When writing a will, you envision a smooth transition of your assets to loved ones after you are gone. However, even with a meticulously drafted will, disputes may still arise among family members. Will disputes can tear families apart, causing deep rifts and...
What if an heir or other beneficiary can’t be located?
These days, it’s typically easy to locate an old high school or college buddy, a neighbor from your childhood or just about anyone you need to reconnect with. If someone really can’t be found, it may be that they don’t want to be. Sometimes, estate executors are...
Overwhelmed estate executors, should you decline to serve?
Say that a parent or other loved one recently passed away, and you found out they named you their estate executor. At first, you felt honored and eager to take on the responsibility. Now, only days later, you feel overwhelmed by the scope of your duties. It is a...