Category Archives: Estate Planning
Estate Planning for Unmarried Parents
There are many reasons that couples remain together but decide against marriage. The couple might decide against marriage for financial reasons, or for certain social or ethical reasons. Regardless of the reason, when a couple has a child together and remains unmarried, it is particularly important for both of the partners to have a… Read More »
When Your Parent Plans to Disinherit Your Sibling
Your parent has made the difficult decision to omit your brother or sister from their estate plan. While this decision will undoubtedly land heavily on your sibling, the decision also places you in a complicated position. As the child who was not cut out of the estate plan, you may find yourself in an… Read More »
Why Retirement Is the Right Time to Revisit Your Estate Plan
Retirement can mean many different things to different people. For some, it opens up a new world of travel, experiences, and creative pursuits. For others, it may herald quiet days at home with a good book, a steaming mug of tea or coffee, and no other plans for weeks. Between those extremes are countless… Read More »
Key Estate Planning Considerations for Older Adults
Older adults in Georgia need to ensure that their estate plans have particular components to give them protections and peace of mind. While the estate planning process itself is something that adults in Georgia of all ages should be undertaking, elderly Gwinnett County residents who do not yet have an estate plan, or who… Read More »
Estate Planning After a Death in the Family
After a death in the family, few of us want to think about legal issues or our own estate planning processes. Most of us need time to grieve and to grapple with the loss we are experiencing, whether it was a likely or unexpected death. Even when someone has been diagnosed with a terminal… Read More »
Understanding Different Types of Special Needs Trusts in Georgia
When an adult is disabled and relies on certain types of public benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments that are based on the adult having limited assets and resources, establishing a special needs trust (SNT) is essential for any inheritance, insurance payout, or damages award that will soon come to… Read More »
What Are the Most Important Estate Planning Documents in Georgia?
Are some estate planning documents more important than others? Depending on your individual circumstances, there are various types of estate planning documents, including specialized types of trusts, that you may want to consider and that might benefit you immensely. Generally speaking, however, the following are the key estate planning documents that every person should… Read More »
Love, Loss, and Legacy: Handling Sentimental Belongings After the Death of a Loved One
Personal items accumulated over our lifetimes may be left in estate planning limbo when we pass away. You may have kept many personal effects and everyday items more for sentimental reasons than for financial value, such as your clothing, jewelry, books, quilts, collectibles, and religious items. Each item we leave behind tells part of… Read More »
Caution: Writing Your Own Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Costly Unintended Consequences
One goal of estate planning is to ensure that your assets, including your home, pass to your chosen beneficiaries quickly and with minimal expense. In real estate, a common strategy to avoid probate (the court process of validating a will and distributing assets) is to add others to the title. This strategy involves adding… Read More »
What to Do When Your Doctor Tells You to Get Your Affairs in Order
Five words no one ever wants to hear from their doctor are “Get your affairs in order.” Unfortunately, 76 percent of Americans do not have a will, and it often requires a chronic disease, terminal illness diagnosis, or other life-changing event to prompt people to start the estate planning process.[1] If you are facing… Read More »
