Estate Planning Archives - Page 3 of 3

Estate Planning | Your Assets – Your Plan or Someone Else’s?

March 25, 2018

If the distribution of your property is important to you, you can use a will or a trust to give instructions about who gets what when you die. If you die without a properly executed estate plan, state law will determine how the probate court will divide and distribute the things you own. Of course, the state of Georgia’s estate plan won’t take your particular wishes into account. So, most people prefer to put their own plan into place.

Estate Planning | A New Year’s Resolution That Doesn’t Involve Working Out or Dieting

January 29, 2018

It’s that time of year again. Yes, it is New Year’s resolution time. Was making a will one of your unfulfilled resolutions from past years? Is it on your “to-do” list for 2018?

The Essential Tools for Estate Planning

September 1, 2017

The numbers vary somewhat from survey to survey, but each new study that is released reveals that large numbers of Americans do not have a will. Not having a will is shorthand for not having any estate planning in place.

Out of date benificiary designations can spell disaster

July 27, 2017

Many accounts, like retirement and investment accounts, allow you to designate the beneficiaries of the account upon your death. It’s a convenient way to distribute these accounts, and typically you make the selection when you open the account.

Lets Talk Estate Planning – Death, Taxes and Disability?

April 9, 2017

The largest obstacle to effective estate planning is procrastination. Sitting down to prepare a Last Will and Testament is not at the top of anyone’s “this is a fun thing to do” list. Yet death, like taxes is a certainty.

On a recent Wednesday morning, Attorney Jim Miskell held an estate planning workshop for a group interested in learning about options available to protect their assets and loved ones, during their lifetime, in the event of being incapacitated, and in the best interest of their beneficiaries after their death.

A little planning means a lot of love for your family

April 9, 2017

Everybody has a story, or has heard a story, about the nightmare that unfolded when a loved one’s life was tragically interrupted or cut short by injury or illness. Such a time in any family is fraught with fear, chaos and indecision.

Unequal inheritances and no-contest clauses

April 7, 2014

If a man dies and leaves his estate in an uncertain condition, the lawyers become his heirs. Edgar Watson

Things ain’t like they used to be

August 16, 2013

In previous generations, folks lived—and then they died—in close proximity to family. With advances in technology and medical care, people are now living longer. While there is still no miracle cure for aging—no fountain of youth— on average, we live longer and have access to greater resources that increase the quality of life. Rather than an abrupt end, more of us will face some period of gradual decline requiring skilled care.

Various types of probate and administration of estates

May 29, 2013

An estate may need to be administered where there is property of the deceased to be transferred. Jointly owned real property or bank accounts, without survivorship, are some of the types of property that call for administration of an estate. If there is a will, it would be probated. If there is no will, the estate is intestate, and a petition for administration must be filed. A personal representative for the estate must be appointed by the Probate Court.