Our Blog - Surety Matters

  When music legend Prince died unexpectedly in 2016, it took six years for relations and business associates to come to agreement over his assets and affairs. The plans, announced in 2022, would have allowed…
Read Moreabout Rainy Days Continue For Prince’s Estate

  Ordinarily, probate court matters are routine, and may include admitting wills, greenlighting executors and ensuring creditors and beneficiaries receive the appropriate notifications in a timely manner. Sometimes disputes, such as will contests or claims…
Read Moreabout Probate Dispute?

  A brutal truth is that we can never know if or when we could experience a capacity decline that impedes our ability to run our businesses, handle our finances, and make sound decisions. That’s…
Read Moreabout Planning Ahead: Capacity Decline

  While the saying “you can’t take it with you,” is true of our money and possessions, taxes do follow us into death, remaining due until paid off, usually by the personal representative or other…
Read Moreabout Death and Taxes: Who Pays What?

  Among the gifts of later life marriages, is the hard won experience that informs relationships. Marrying later in life may have unique challenges too, since everything from our pasts comes with us, including children,…
Read Moreabout Older and Wiser: Marriage and Estate Plans

  Making formal “if this/then that” finance plans (aka prenuptial contracts) in advance of marriage is not the same as estate planning, however prenup arrangements can be a helpful way to jumpstart a collaborative estate…
Read Moreabout Prenups and Estate Planning?

  Adding transfer-on-death (TOD) and payable-on-death (POD) designations to financial accounts can be a helpful way to ensure beneficiaries efficiently receive assets intended for them. However, to avoid unintended negative consequences, account designations do need…
Read Moreabout Estate Planning: Transfer Designations?

  Deep sorrow is normal following the death of a loved one, and ultimately, nothing we do is likely to change that. We can, however, do the important tasks of leaving our affairs in order…
Read Moreabout Heartbroken?

  The name given to the person charged with settling the affairs of the deceased depends on the circumstances involved. When a will is made, typically an executor is designated to carry it out. When…
Read Moreabout Executor or Administrator?