Before appointing someone—or accepting an appointment, as it relates to the Executor of a Will, it’s important to know the duties and responsibilities that come with that role. As an Executor, perhaps the most important thing to know is that the process will take time and it will require good organizational skills. Essentially, as an […]
It’s a common misconception that some people assume if they are in possession of someone’s Will, and especially if they are the named Executor of said Will, that they can start acting immediately upon that person’s passing. This can include taking actions like removing personal property from the decedent’s home, selling vehicles or other possessions, […]
In our latest blog post of the “Get to Know” series, we are featuring someone very near and dear to my heart. I know, I say that about everyone here, but Hillary just so happens to be my personal assistant and she is quite literally my right hand woman. I have never met someone so […]
According to various resources, an estimated 17 to 22 million Americans currently live in Mobile homes, making it a valid asset for many people to consider when creating their estate plan. Planning for the devise of a mobile home requires some special attention, as legally they can be viewed as real estate in some situations. […]
When the time comes for you to get your estate plan in order, the two most important questions you’ll need to answer is (1) who are you going to appoint as your Executor (and ideally a successor Executor)? And (2) how are you going to distribute your assets? In short, the gifting of your property […]
As we all know, family dynamics can make estate planning challenging. When I have clients that are concerned about a specific individual challenging the validity of their will or trust, they often ask me if they should add a no-contest clause provision in their estate plan. In theory these clauses are designed to prevent unhappy […]
Believe it or not, almost 1/3 of the estate planning documents I draft—whether it’s a standard Will or a Living Trust—have pet provisions. Just like provisions in estate planning documents that dictate where your personal property goes upon your passing, you can put language in place to ensure that your beloved pets are provided for […]
I’ve been practicing for long enough at this point in my life that I can tell a real life story for almost every situation that occurs and boy, do I have stories about mishaps regarding the storage of vital estate planning documents. From Wills being locked in safety deposit boxes to Health Care documents being […]
One of the things that struck me the most when I joined the firm was how kind and helpful all of the staff were and Kim Silva was no exception. From day one, she has helped “show me the ropes” and is always eager to offer her services if anyone needs assistance. I’ve yet to […]
A common misconception that often arises in my practice is that someone who is cognitively “stable” automatically has testamentary capacity and is capable of drafting (or directing someone to draft) their estate planning documents. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 Americans in 2023 have some form of a disability and according to the Alzheimer’s […]