Good estate planning can make the lives of your family easier after you pass away. You need the right person to handle your estate so your heirs get everything in pristine condition. An executor of an estate handles all the business of protecting and maintaining your...
Age Gracefully With A Plan In Place
Estate Planning
Should you use a DNR or a medical power of attorney?
You know that it's hard to predict your future, in a medical sense. You want to address this when you're doing your estate planning. One option that you have is to simply use a Do Not Resuscitate order, often called a DNR. This means that you do not want to be kept on...
Will a no-contest clause actually work?
If you don't want anyone to contest your estate plan or start an estate dispute, you might consider using a no-contest clause. The way that this works is by stating that, should someone start such an estate dispute, they forfeit anything that they would have...
What happens when a family member leaves more than one will?
A will is one of the most crucial documents someone ever writes. It represents a final opportunity to communicate their wishes to those closest to them. It says something about who they were, the life they led and the way they choose to be remembered. Unfortunately,...
Is adding a codicil enough when updating your Indiana will?
As you know, human lives are fluid, with many changes occurring as we go through life. Babies are born, loved ones die, and relationships end, all of which can make your estate plan, especially your final will, fail to function as intended. Most Carmel, Indiana...
Planning for a good death: What you can do
The end of someone’s life is no less significant than its beginning, and that’s why an entire industry – complete with guidelines – has grown up around end-of-life care. Palliative and hospice programs are supposed to help manage and ease the passing of patients in...
Why do you need a disinheritance clause?
Disinheriting someone from your will simply means not leaving them an inheritance. This term only applies to those who would naturally inherit otherwise. For instance, if you want to leave a child out of your will, you can disinherit them. If you simply leave a close...
How to protect beloved pets with your estate plan
If you have pets, whether they be furred or feathered, have you given any thought to what will happen to them when you die? Many people erroneously assume that their adult children will take in their pets. But many times, that is just not plausible for any number of...
Should you consider a living trust?
During the estate planning process, most people consider including a living trust. This legal fiduciary arrangement allows you (the testator) to set up your assets to be managed by a third party (the trustee) on behalf of your beneficiaries. Once you have set up your...
Why do all adults need an estate plan?
Some people think that they don’t need an estate plan because they don’t have high value assets. Unfortunately, that mode of thinking could mean that you don’t have any say in who gets your assets or what happens if you need end-of-life care. A comprehensive estate...