Our Blog - Surety Matters

  Leaving loved ones from the next generation even a little better off is a goal shared by all working parents. Analysis of inheritance trends reveals that most are indeed managing to pass some level…
Read Moreabout Inheritance: How Much?

  When a home with an outstanding mortgage is gifted as part of an estate plan, the debt does not just evaporate upon the death of the owner. Even so, family homes are often the…
Read Moreabout Inheriting A Home–and The Mortgage

  Adding adult children to accounts (aka “joint tenancy”) is one way to allow assets to pass on to them expediently, without going through the public process of probate, upon your death. Joint tenancy is…
Read Moreabout Joint Accounts and Probate?

  Revocable trusts are the most common type of trust. Setting up a revocable trust is relatively easy, allows for flexibility and helps with a number of estate planning goals. Part of the appeal, as…
Read Moreabout Why Are Revocable Trusts So Handy?

  Expert legal help is a good idea during estate planning, while navigating probate as a personal representative, or when serving as a trustee. Here are examples of the legal processes attorneys can guide you…
Read Moreabout Getting Help: Estate, Probate and Trust Administration

  Just as the title expresses, the role of executor is to carry out the intentions of the testator (aka person creating a will), so generally, executors do not volunteer their own discretion while fulfilling…
Read Moreabout Should The Executor of a Will Use Discretion?

  If you’ve made an estate plan, good for you: you’re ahead of many people in gifting your family (and yourself) with peace of mind. However, keep in mind, estate planning is not a “once…
Read Moreabout Updating Estate Plans: A Checklist

  Under the eyes of the law, trusts are separate and unique entities, and this is why they are incredibly useful estate planning tools. Trusts can be set up to accomplish a variety of goals….
Read Moreabout Trusts: Separate and Unique Entities

  Creating a will is an important way to organize affairs and prevent loved ones from having excess stress when we die. At the time a will is made, a trusted individual is designated to…
Read Moreabout Executing A Will: Duties Explained