Dear Jonathan: Based on my research, I feel like I’m pretty well versed in what I am supposed to do when it comes to creating an estate plan for myself. Everything I have read says that I should have a will, powers of...more
2/7/2025
/ Asset Management ,
Beneficiaries ,
Durable Power of Attorney ,
Estate Planning ,
Estate Tax ,
Inheritance ,
Power of Attorney ,
Probate ,
Trustees ,
Trusts ,
Wills
Dear Jonathan: I just completed the probate of my late brother’s will. I was the personal representative he appointed to act on behalf of his estate. This was not a pleasant experience and in fact, was quite the opposite and...more
Dear Jonathan: My parents just updated their estate plan and told me that they named me in their wills, their trust and their financial and health care durable powers of attorney to act for them when they can no longer act...more
Dear Jonathan: I am thinking about preparing my own estate planning documents, including a will, powers of attorney and a trust. A close friend of mine just went through this process and it cost her thousands of dollars and I...more
This is the second of three articles addressing the topic of what needs to be done when a spouse or loved one passes away. My last article addressed the immediate things that need to be done prior to the decedent’s funeral...more
6/14/2024
/ Annuities ,
Death Certificates ,
Deceased ,
Deeds ,
Estate Planning ,
Financial Statements ,
Funerals ,
Investment ,
Motor Vehicles ,
Pensions ,
Social Security ,
Tax Returns ,
Trusts ,
Wills
This is my third and final article addressing what needs to be done after a person passes away. Part 1 addressed what a person needs to do prior to the decedent’s funeral. Part 2 addressed those things that don’t typically...more
6/14/2024
/ 401k ,
Credit Cards ,
Death Benefits ,
Estate Planning ,
Funerals ,
Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ,
Investment ,
Life Insurance ,
Probate ,
Social Security Administration (SSA) ,
Survivor Benefits ,
Trusts ,
Wills
Dear Jonathan: Can you provide a general summary of what needs to be done when a person’s spouse or loved one passes away?
Jonathan: When a spouse or loved one dies there are many things that need to be addressed by the...more
The primary reason most people engage in estate planning is to name who they want to receive their assets when they pass away. Beneficiaries can be named in a will, a trust or pursuant to a beneficiary designation. When...more
When someone dies there are many important things that need to be addressed by the survivor or survivors, and some of those things that need to be addressed are time sensitive.
...more