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What Is the HEMS Standard?

The ‘HEMS’ (health, education, maintenance, support) standard in estate planning is used to guide trustees in how/when they should release funds to a beneficiary.

Posted on: February 8, 2022

Who Should I Name as Trustee?

You created your revocable living trust to hold your assets. You did so because of the probate avoidance and other benefits. You may have included sophisticated tax-planning provisions in your trust.

Posted on: December 21, 2021

Aging Parents and Blended Families Create Estate Planning Challenges

We have seen some step siblings able to all get along fine but they seem to be the exception. More likely, one sibling feels divided loyalty to the birth parent, not the step-parent.

Posted on: July 28, 2021

Can Family Members Contest a Will?

The death of a loved one results in an emotional grief that, when combined with large sums of money on the line, can cause the beneficiaries of the will or trust or the heirs of the deceased to challenge the validity, interpretation, or administration of the will or trust.

Posted on: July 6, 2021

Does Executor have to Be a Family Member?

What happens if you don’t have any family to be personal representative? Other than a family member, who can be personal representative?

Posted on: May 14, 2021

Should a Trust Be Part of My Estate Plan?

What are the advantages of putting assets into a trust?

Posted on: April 16, 2021

What Paperwork Is Needed after Someone Dies?

While the tasks of dealing with an estate after someone passes may be simple administration, the work associated with it is often quite complicated.

Posted on: April 15, 2021

Preparing for an Estate Planning Meeting

While most initial meetings with an estate planning attorney will result in some questions you likely have never considered, there are many ways in which you can prepare for a thoughtful and productive estate planning conference that will result in a better understanding of your goals and more efficient use of time with your attorney.

Posted on: March 22, 2021

What are the Basic Estate Planning Documents?

In a nutshell, an estate plan encompasses the accumulation, conservation and distribution of an estate. Done well, it will enhance and maintain the financial security of the next generation.

Posted on: December 24, 2020