Our Blog - Surety Matters

  At its roots, probate is simply the public process of settling debts and distributing assets upon death. If a will has been made, the designated executor handles the process in accordance with state probate…
Read Moreabout Avoiding Probate Mistakes

  What do you have? What do you want to accomplish? Who do you trust? These are the three fundamental questions an attorney helps you answer as your estate plan takes shape. While it is…
Read Moreabout Estate Planning: Three Questions

  If the last few years have taught us anything at all, it’s that stuff happens–unplanned, unforeseen stuff. While we can’t quickly undue the pandemic, economic woes or environmental disasters, we can protect assets for…
Read Moreabout Facing The Unknown: Asset Protection Trusts

  Although adding adult children to a bank account may seem like an easy hack for estate planning, attorneys point out that joint bank accounts can result in complications and unforeseen results. Here’s advice–and some…
Read Moreabout Why Not Just Have A Joint Bank Account

  Upon the death of the testator (person who made the will), the designated executor must diligently adhere to the public process of probate. Meanwhile, beneficiaries tend to wonder: what’s the delay with asset distribution?…
Read Moreabout Executing A Will: What Takes So Long?

  For so many reasons, it’s important for every adult to have plans that address our care needs in the event of an emergency, as well as arrangements for our assets. Parents of minor children…
Read Moreabout Don’t Leave a Jigsaw Puzzle Behind: Estate Plan!

  When it comes to making arrangements to gift assets to relations, attorneys underscore the importance of clearly communicating intentions. This is true even if relationships have been strained and communicating requires courage: bad feelings…
Read Moreabout Better Than Litigation? Communication!

  As confidence in the possibility of a real retirement falls, and the number of us living longer lives rises, there’s a real possibility that more of us will need public help in our later…
Read Moreabout Too Much and Too Little? Medicaid Trusts

  Conservators can be appointed to make financial decisions and safeguard assets for adults experiencing capacity declines, including changes related to aging and dementia. Professional conservators are a possibility and can be a huge relief…
Read Moreabout Conservatorship vs Overprotection?