Legacy Design Strategies
Omaha, NE, Minot, ND and Iowa Fall, IA Estate Planning and Elder Law Firm

Estate Planning and Elder Law Blog

Sort by Category:

Why Do I Need a Will?

Just under half of Americans have a will, according to data from Gallup. J.P. Morgan Wealth Management data suggests that this number may even be lower, especially among Black and Hispanic investors.

Posted on: March 28, 2023

What Makes Americans Worry about Estate Planning?

One-quarter of Americans said inflation has caused them to think about estate planning, the survey said. Two out of three Americans said they don’t have any kind of estate planning documents.

Posted on: March 27, 2023

Do I Need a Will If I’m Leaving Insurance Policy to a Beneficiary?

Estate planning is crucial to leaving your beneficiaries with your possessions as you intend.

Posted on: March 24, 2023

What Should I Ask a Prospective Estate Planning Attorney?

While more than half of Americans believe estate planning is essential, a mere 33% actually have a living trust or will. And one out of three respondents who don’t have a will reason that they don’t think they have sufficient assets to warrant estate planning.

Posted on: March 23, 2023

Do Family Secrets Hurt Estate Planning?

A study by the financial services research firm reveals just how big a problem family secrets can be, as reported in Financial Advisor’s recent article “Family Wealth Transfers Undermined by Secrecy.” Most asset holders plan to share their wishes and intentions with family members before they die. However, the research reveals only about half actually…

Posted on: March 22, 2023

Probate: What Is it? How Does it Work?

In certain instances, particularly when there is no Will, the system ensures that all accounts and property are distributed in accordance with state law.

Posted on: March 21, 2023

How Should I Handle Memorabilia in My Estate Planning?

Memorabilia collections, by their nature, are specialized and unique. When considering your estate planning, it's important to think about what you require of your beneficiaries — if you’re not planning on selling your collection — and how you can make that process as easy as possible for your family. What will your spouse or children have to deal with as they dispose of the items?

Posted on: March 20, 2023

What Documents are in an Estate Plan?

There are frequently asked questions that people have about revocable living trusts, wills, supported decision making agreements (new), powers of attorney and advance health care directives.

Posted on: March 17, 2023

Beneficiary Battle over Presley Estate Reveals Possible Problems in Estate Planning

A badly in debt woman dies leaving the proceeds of substantial insurance policies to her children only to have her trust contested by relatives who claim an amendment naming the children as beneficiaries is invalid with no witnesses, misspelled names, suspicious signatures and was never given to previous trustees for review as required by agreement. A long, expensive, and protracted legal battle likely is brewing.

Posted on: March 16, 2023