Category Archives: Executor/rix
Just What Does an Executor Do?
Spending the least amount of time possible contemplating your death is what most people try to do. However, one part of the estate planning process needs time and reflection: deciding who should serve in important roles, including executor. Whatever the size of your estate, the people you name have jobs that will impact your… Read More »
Remind Me Why I Need a Will
There are a number of reasons to draft a will as soon as possible. If you die without a will (intestate), you leave decisions up to your state of residence according to its probate and intestacy laws. Without a will, you have no say as to who receives your assets or properties. Not having… Read More »
How to Plan for a ‘Fragile’ Beneficiary – Minors, Special Needs, and Those with Creditors
Frequently, estate plans will include an inheritance for a minor beneficiary. If you have minor children, you should spell out exactly what you want as far as who will care for your children and how your children’s financial needs will be met. Wealth Advisor’s recent article entitled “Handle with care: Tips on planning for… Read More »
Will I Get A Bill as My Inheritance?
When someone dies and leaves debts, you may ask if you have any personal liability to pay them. The answer is typically no, even though those debts don’t automatically disappear. However, there are situations in which you may have to address issues with a loved one’s creditors after they are gone, says KAKE’s recent… Read More »
Estate Planning Lessons from Celebrities for ‘Regular’ People
Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos, left behind an estate worth an estimated $840 million and no estate plan, reports Forbes in a recent article titled “Lessons From The Rich And Famous: Why Estate Planning Should Be Part Of Your Retirement Plan.” The family had to file with the court to have family members appointed… Read More »
Do You Know Your Job as Executor, Agent or Trustee?
It’s not uncommon for a named executor or trustee to have some anxiety when they discover that they were named in a family member’s estate planning documents. With the testator or grantor dead or incapacitated, the named individual is often desperate to learn what their responsibilities are. It may seem like they’re asked to… Read More »
The Importance of a Will
Even during a pandemic, few people want to spend time thinking about death. However, having an estate plan means having some of the most important documents you’ll ever create. Having a will is a gift that alleviates the burden placed on loved ones after we are gone, says this recent article “Why it’s important… Read More »
Estate Battles Over Personal Property Distribution
Creating and probating a last will and testament is rarely a simple task, but one of the most challenging aspects is the distribution of personal property, warns the article “Be clear about personal property distribution in your will” from The News-Enterprise. The nature of personal property—that it is relatively low in market value but… Read More »
The Wrong Power of Attorney Could Lead to a Bad Outcome
There are two different types of advance directives, and they have very different purposes, as explained in the article that asks “Does your estate plan use the right type of Power of Attorney for you?” from Next Avenue. Less than a third of retirees have a financial power of attorney, according to a study… Read More »
How Much Power Does an Executor Have?
The Pauls Valley Daily Democrat’s recent article entitled “It doesn’t end with the will” explains that there’s constant confusion about wills. This misunderstanding involves the scope of power of those named in the will as the personal representative (or executor) of the decedent’s estate. Let’s try to straighten out some of these myths or… Read More »