Our Blog - Surety Matters

  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?

  Serving as an executor requires a commitment of time,  ideally, beginning when a will is made and the role accepted. Preparatory conversations about intentions and pragmatics, such as account information, will be a gift…
Read Moreabout Help for Executors: Probate Lawyers

  Generally, families want to respect the intentions of the deceased, though doing so can be easier said than done, as probate of Aretha Franklin’s estate illustrates. It has been over four years since her…
Read Moreabout Respecting the Intentions of The Deceased

  When accepting the request of a loved one or friend to serve as a trustee, keep in mind that the role comes with official, fiduciary obligations. In other words, as a trustee you are…
Read Moreabout Checklist for Trustees

  Unfortunately, the death of a relative or friend can bring about unexpected reactions from beneficiaries–some of which can cost the estate a good deal of money, resulting in losses for other beneficiaries. Fortunately, in…
Read Moreabout Litigious Beneficiary

  Though separating from a partner is never easy, the rise of “gray divorce” feels particularly saddening. Whether driven by a lifetime of dissatisfaction or pain, or triggered by a recent disappointment, gray divorce is…
Read Moreabout Gray Divorce: Estate Plan!

  Though a bit more complicated than wills, and typically more expensive to set up, trusts can be very useful tools for estate planning. Read on for a basic understanding of trusts, as well as…
Read Moreabout Trusts: An Overview