November 12, 2024
When planning for the future, many individuals wish to ensure their assets benefit future generations as intended. Simply leaving assets directly to beneficiaries may expose these resources to various risks. Understanding protected inheritance strategies can help secure your legacy.
October 08, 2024
Estate planning is often viewed as a financial and legal process, but it can be much more than that. With thoughtful preparation, your estate plan can become a powerful tool for leaving a lasting legacy that extends far beyond material assets. Here's how you can use your estate plan to create a meaningful impact for generations to come.
September 10, 2024
Discussing estate planning with your aging parents can be a sensitive and challenging task. However, it's a crucial conversation that can provide peace of mind for everyone involved. Here's a guide to help you navigate this important discussion.
August 13, 2024
Blended families have become increasingly common, bringing together families to create beautiful, loving environments; however, they also present distinct challenges when it comes to planning for the future. Estate planning may feel daunting at first but can be an excellent tool for blended families to ensure harmony, fairness, and peace of mind for all members.
July 16, 2024
Handling debt when a loved one dies can be very stressful. The duty of the Executor or Personal Representative named in the Last Will and Testament or the Successor Trust named in a Trust is to settle the estate of a deceased person. This doesn't just mean distributing assets to beneficiaries, but also settling debts as well. Here are some tips on how to handle unsecured debt after a loved one’s death.
June 19, 2024
If you have a child, you certainly remember the first time that you left them with a babysitter. A list of emergency phone numbers was made, along with instructions for meals and bedtimes, lists of allergies, and even more. So why would you not create a thoughtful list of instructions for your child’s guardian should something happen to you long-term?
We will address different options to consider in creating an estate plan for your minor child.
June 11, 2024
There are a lot of emotions involved in choosing a guardian since this designation assumes that you as a parent might not be around to care for your children. However, it is better to have a good option for a guardian designated and not have to have that person fill the role than for something to happen and not be prepared. That being said, it is important to pick the “right” person to fill this role.
January 31, 2023
Here is the bottom line: Children that reach the age of majority (18-years-old in Indiana) are considered legal adults, which means parents lose their rights not only over financial decisions, but also medical decisions. We all remember being 18 years old. We probably thought we could be an adult and handle most things on our own, but the reality is that being an adult is tough and everyone could benefit from help.
When we look at the necessity behind estate planning for 18+ years old, we need to approach it from two places: (1) this is a new transition in life and they need help with finances and medical care, and (2) there may be an instance of an emergency where decisions need to be made on your child’s behalf.
November 01, 2022
In this video, our attorney, Autumn Bryant, will review taxation of debt discharge for the $10,000 - $20,000 Federal Student Loan Forgiveness proposed by the Biden Administration in 2022. Please note that this applies to Indiana, but other states (listed in the video) will also potentially tax this debt discharge.
July 12, 2022
For many of us, our pets are like our family members and if we pass away or become disabled and are no longer able to take care of our pets, we want them to be well looked after. Part of your estate plan is to provide your intentions and instructions for your belongings and for your loved ones, so it is important to have a plan for your pets as well!