The death of a minor child is one of the greatest shocks that life can deliver. No one can ever prepare for the cascade of challenges that will come with such an event. Not only are there legal and financial challenges that you must deal with, but all of these challenges come at a Continue reading
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Can an Estate Plan Include a Right of First Refusal on Certain Property?
Estate planning attorneys are occasionally asked by clients whether an estate plan can include a right of first refusal (ROFR) (sometimes called a first right of refusal) on certain items or parcels of property. The following example helps to illustrate the way this legal tool is Continue reading
Buyer Beware: How to Avoid Estate Planning Scams
Imagine spending thousands of dollars on an estate plan to protect loved ones, only to find that no true protection exists. Unfortunately, this scenario happens on a regular basis to individuals who are victims of estate planning schemes. According to a report conducted by the U.S. Continue reading
All in the Family: Making Sense of Per Stirpes, By Representation, and Per Capita Distributions
“That’s not fair!” In many households, this is the common refrain of children as they advocate for themselves or express what they feel to be unjust. This pursuit of fairness, however, is not limited to arguments between parents and young children.
The notion of fairness often pervades Continue reading
Deeper Dive into Advance Healthcare Directives
When it comes to your healthcare, especially during these uncertain times, you need to ensure that two estate planning documents in particular are up to date. The first is your healthcare power of attorney. This document allows you to name a person to make medical decisions on your Continue reading
Estate Planning After Personal Injury Settlements
In the hectic and sometimes dangerous world that we live in, it is an unfortunate fact of life that accidents happen and people get hurt. The U.S. legal system is designed so that those who suffer injury through the avoidable fault of others can seek compensation for those injuries. Continue reading
Conservation Easements: Preserving a Heritage With Tax Benefits
You may have heard about conservation easements in the news over the past few years and the tax benefits available through the use of them. But what are they and how can they benefit you?
Defining Conservation Easements
A typical conservation easement is created when a landowner makes Continue reading
What Happens If My Beneficiary Dies Before Me?
When planning for death, most people assume they will die before their beneficiaries (e.g., their spouse, children, and grandchildren). While these assumptions are often well-founded, they do not always come to pass. Sometimes a beneficiary of an estate or trust dies before the person Continue reading
Disaster Preparedness Month: How to Prepare for Whatever May Come Your Way
The unpredictable can occur at any time: fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, pandemics—you name it. Because September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, we want you to be prepared for whatever life throws at you. Although none of us can predict the future, there are some Continue reading
Why Your Heirs or Beneficiaries May Receive a Smaller Inheritance Than You Thought
Although it is rare for anyone to look forward to the passing of a loved one, many people cannot help wondering about a future inheritance. Often when a person dies and leaves money or property to heirs or beneficiaries, the first thing the heirs or beneficiaries want to know is the Continue reading