One of the most frequent questions that estate planners get is, “How do I avoid probate?” There are plenty of estate planning strategies for avoiding probate. For example, trust assets can be distributed outside of probate. Another method of keeping property intact without going through probate is through joint ownership….
A death in the family often brings loved ones together. Other times, though, disputes arise over who gets what. Sometimes, people feel blindsided by a family member’s decision. Others may be hurt or confused by beneficiary designations. These disputes can lead to complicated, lengthy, and expensive legal battles that can…
A will is one of the most important documents that you can create during your lifetime, allowing you to distribute your assets and belongings how you want and to whom you want. But what happens when someone disagrees with what the will states? The ability to contest a will exists…
Creating a plan for your assets after your death is a highly complicated process. There’s a lot of planning involved, including choosing which estate planning documents to include. Some of the most common estate planning documents include wills and trusts, and knowing which to choose can have a great impact…
Also known as an executor or administrator, a personal representative is Missouri’s name for a person who handles the distribution of an estate throughout the probate process. There are other tasks to complete as well, and understanding the obligations of a personal representative can help through the process. What is…
A will is an essential document in estate planning that allows you to describe how you want your assets and property to be distributed after you die. That’s not all it does, though; it’s an important part of end-of-life planning that can’t be ignored. Dying without a will can have…
Taxes are often a concern among those in the process of estate planning. Nobody wants to burden their loved ones with taxes after their death; similarly, people often worry about their estate being greatly reduced by taxes. Luckily, Missouri is a tax-friendly state for estate planners. Read more to learn…
A trust is one part of estate planning that allows you the option to choose how your beneficiaries will receive assets after your death – and how much. Many people have the misconception that they don’t have enough assets to necessitate a trust, but in reality, trusts can be beneficial…
Many people are hesitant to create a power of attorney (POA) to be included in their estate plans. They think that it will leave them – and their assets – vulnerable to someone else’s wishes, when it actually does the opposite. Learn more about how to correctly utilize a POA…
Although it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones, an estate plan isn’t always the simplest thing to create. There’s a lot of time, thought, and effort that must go into planning how you want your assets to be distributed, which may…
