If you have strong preferences regarding burial or cremation, it’s a good idea to put these in writing in your will or in your health care power of attorney. You may have expressed your wishes verbally to your loved ones, but people can become uncertain in a time of crisis, and family members might have differing views. If there is ever a dispute, having a written direction will be vital evidence of your intent.  Also, if

 If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with a serious disease, it’s a good idea to review your estate planning documents and adjust them to reflect the diagnosis. For instance, if someone is diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease – or any other disease that could affect cognitive functioning down the road – it’s wise to expedite your estate planning. Sign documents as soon as possible, while mental competency is not

Many people are concerned about their aging parents and want to talk with them about estate planning, but this can be a difficult conversation to have. Frequently, parents don’t want to discuss the subject because they don’t like thinking about their own death, and because they’re afraid that estate planning will involve a loss of independence and control. Also, children may be afraid that bringing up the topic will make them seem greedy. Yet this is

When it comes to making a will, most people have a sense of how they want to divide their major financial assets among their heirs. But people often don’t put much thought into how to divide their personal property – particularly property that isn’t worth much economically but is rich in sentimental value, such as a wedding dress, a war medal, or a photo album.

If you’re thinking of signing a prenuptial agreement – or if you know someone who is – it’s a good idea to have an estate planner review the document. Most people think of prenuptial agreements as spelling out what will happen if a couple get divorced. But in fact, most prenuptial agreements also state what will happen if one spouse dies while the couple is still married. In actual practice, prenuptial agreements come into play as much as

People often move to another state after they retire. In the past, this was usually to take advantage of a better climate or to be closer to friends and family. But these days, moving is often a good form of estate planning. One reason is state estate taxes. These used to be tied closely into the federal estate tax system and largely a non-issue. But for several years now state estate taxes have been “uncoupled” from

Almost three million children in the U.S. between the ages of 5 and 15 have special needs, according to the latest Census figures.  Parents of these children need to use extra care in planning their estates. For most people, estate planning is about making sure your assets go where you want them to, and minimizing inconvenience and taxes along the way.  But parents of special needs children face an additional challenge because they have to make