The Lesson Behind Estate Planning We Must Not Forget

Estate Planning, Trust, Wills

I write these columns primarily to encourage people to prepare their estate plan before it is too late.  Without preparation, many families must deal with terribly difficult situations that could have been avoided.  Proper planning means more than simply listing what...

Are you Prepared to Step In?

Estate Planning, Trust, Wills

I read an article published in the Wall Street Journal® titled “The Difficult, Delicate Untangling of Our Parents’ Lives.”   The author and his wife were in their 50s and dealing with the challenges of parents too incapacitated to handle their own affairs. ...

Divorce and Your (or Your Child’s) Estate Plan

Deeds, Real Estate, Wills

Last article I addressed what would happen if your Will leaves everything to your spouse, but you later divorce and do not change the Will. Idaho law prohibits an ex-spouse from receiving assets just because he or she was named in a Will created prior to the divorce....

Your Best Intentions Will Not Be Enough

Estate Planning, Wills

I recall a few years ago when a client passed away.  His assets were not insignificant.  His passing was sudden, and left serious issues affecting his family and his estate.    His health had begun to deteriorate, but he thought there was still time.  Nevertheless, he...

All Wills Are Not Created Equal(ly)

Estate Planning, Wills

It is hard to believe that it has been almost five years since we lost the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. However, you may have noticed that she was in the news quite recently. More accurately, a fight over her estate was in the news. Ms. Franklin left a 2010 Will....

Can I Stay in the House?

Asset Protection, Trust, Wills

Without preparation, the passing of a loved one can result in difficult and unexpected challenges.  In recent columns, I have addressed this point with the example of a second marriage in which the husband moved into the house already owned by his new spouse.  Upon...