Beneficiary designations allow you to name someone to receive a specific asset when you die. Sometimes this is referred to as a beneficial designation, or pay-on-death designation, or transfer-on-death designation. Making a beneficiary designation can be useful...
When would your parent or grandparent need a guardianship?
As your parents and grandparents become older, there may come a time when they can no longer care for their own financial or healthcare affairs. In these situations, it is important to take proper steps to confirm their ability or inability to make their own choices....
How can a trust help your estate plan?
You may have heard of the term “trusts” when contemplating your estate plan. The concept of executing a trust may seem confusing to some. However, the reality is that most people who establish an estate plan can benefit greatly from creating a trust that is not overly...
How can I leave money to charity in my estate plan?
Charitable giving can be an important part of an estate plan for those who are charitably inclined. Depending on the extent of these gifts and the financial circumstances of the donor, there are various ways to leave assets to charity. Additionally, the donor should...
Which estate documents should you update following your spouse’s death?
Life is quite unpredictable. Each day, Nevada residents die unexpectedly. These untimely deaths are difficult to process and cope with. They also serve as examples of the importance of having a current estate plan. Adults should have estate plans that they update at...
Should asset protection be part of your estate plans?
Asset protection is an integral part of the estate planning process. All kinds of creditors can potentially stake a claim to your assets both before and after your death, yet proper asset protection planning can keep most of what you have out of their reach. Asset...
Beneficiaries and heirs: Understanding the difference
People often use the words “heir” and “beneficiary” interchangeably, but they aren’t really the same — especially when you’re talking about estates and inheritances. Both testators and their personal representatives should understand the difference between the two...
I am not “rich” so do I need a will?
One question you may have had is why you need a will if you are not “wealthy” or “rich.” Many people have the misconception that just because they have modest estates that their assets will somehow pass to their heirs without much time or cost. Some people also tend...
How asset protection and estate planning go hand-in-hand
When people think of estate planning, they often think of it in the context of what happens to their estate after they die. While that is a crucial part to estate planning, it is not the only consideration. Estate planning can also include planning while you are...
Own a family business? Make succession planning a priority
If you are a business owner, your business is part of who you are. You have worked tirelessly to make it successful. You likely rely on your business for your support and the support of your family. But what happens to your business when you are gone or if you want to...