Our Blog - Surety Matters

  Try to avoid this mistake lawyers witness repeated in many families: assuming the next generation actually wants and can use the assets being set aside for them—sometimes at great sacrifice.   Reality Check—and Conversation…
Read Moreabout Estate Planning: Do They Really Want It?

Protecting a Grandparent’s Assets? Worried that grandmother is writing too many checks to a cause that seems questionable? Grandad gave his credit card number to who? Actually, what if they have unforeseen medical needs or…
Read Moreabout Protecting a Grandparent’s Assets?

  Solid estate plans often involve both the establishment of a trust and a pour-over will. Both tools work well together to ensure that our affairs are as organized as possible, and curtail some of…
Read Moreabout Trusts and Pour-Over Wills?

Transparency with family members, friends and business partners is key throughout our lives—and holds true when establishing a trust too. Estate planning specialists urge transparency with both the designated trustee and beneficiaries, to avoid both…
Read Moreabout Trusts: Set Everyone Up For Success

  Yes, that’s an item for the to-do list when a loved one dies, though it’s not likely to be high on anyone’s radar when the time comes. Sadly, “I didn’t know…” is a frequent…
Read Moreabout Changing the Name on Utility Bills

  Ideally, while we have the ability to do so, making a will, appointing an executor, and communicating plans with loved ones ends up being helpful in more ways then we even imagine. Unfortunately, sometimes…
Read Moreabout Invalid Will? Red Flags

  With more estate planning techniques and insights becoming more widely available, it’s more possible then ever to look out for your family, though it’s estimated that two out of three Americans still have not…
Read Moreabout Military? Plan for Your Family

  Ordinarily, probate court proceedings focus on standard tasks essential to settling the affairs of someone who has died, such as paying off debts and taxes and then distributing the assets based on a will,…
Read Moreabout Court Battles: Probate Litigation

  This is one of those questions that it’s even hard for Google to answer. Why? It depends! The public process of paying the debts and distributing the assets of the deceased, known as probate,…
Read Moreabout How Long Does Probate Take?