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Sharing ownership of your home with your child to avoid probate, is still a bad idea. Joint tenancy of your home with your child quickly becomes a bad idea, when the child has a creditor who can attach the home to pay off the child's debts, according to the Napa Valley Register...

An estate sale is a good way to get rid of unwanted items.  However, sometimes things end up badly. Colorado police filed a report about an estate sale that went badly but the case was dropped for lack of suspects, according to Fox News in "Colorado house ransacked after estate sale mix-up...

It has been nearly impossible for the family of the deceased to gain access to digital accounts in the past.  However, there is some progress. In response to the problem of digital accounts of the deceased being accessed for an estate, some state legislators have slowly been passing new ...

The wishes you have expressed in a medical directive, don't do any good if no one knows about them. The system of medical records used in the U.S. does not make it easy for doctors to know that you have a medical directive and that you have expressed your wishes ahead of time, according to...

Some estate battles are predictable and quite costly to both finances and family. If the main instrument used to distribute an estate is a will that has to go through probate, the legal issues can often lead to huge battles that could be avoided by using a trust, according to the Times Herald-Record...

There are many false impressions out there about creating an estate plan.  However, it actually does not have to be challenging. Estate planning does not have to be difficult to accomplish, according to The New York Times in "What It Was Like To Finally Write My Will."

The traditional methods for burial of remains are still in place.  However, there are also “green” options. Different cultures are beginning to rethink the process of funerals for people. Some are turning to an “environmentally friendly” way, according to The New York Times ...

Creating a plan for distribution of assets is practical. If you do not have children, it isn't possible to follow the standard practice of caring for your spouse and your offspring when considering an estate plan. Exploring the options when childless, requires a bit more thinking, according ...

Avoiding the thought of death is relatively standard in humans.  However, it may not be the right course. We do not generally dwell on the thought of death, we avoid making estate plans and we are often not prepared for the reality of death when it happens, according to The New York Times...

A living trust can become a problem, if it isn't created with good advice. A  living trust needs careful preparation or an estate may face probate, according to the Napa Valley Register in "Avoid this living trust problem."

Many of the problems that arise in managing an estate can be avoided by careful planning. Some of the friction within the family and difficulties in dealing with an estate can go more smoothly, if you know a few things about estate planning and your goals, according to The Register-Guard in ...

A trust can solve a lot of problems, if you are the primary provider and pass away. A good way to make sure your family gets the money they need to meet bills and expenses after you are gone is to avoid probate, according to The New York Times in "Life After Your Death? Why You Should Have a...

A will written years ago may not fit with the current laws of your state, if changes have been made. Whether an estate plan is a good one depends on state laws that may be changed, so it is a good idea to take a fresh look at your plan, according to the Dunwoody Crier...

There are many, many reasons why people need an estate plan. There are so many reasons why people need a will, that in all likelihood everyone needs one, according to The Bellingham Herald in "Here are seven reasons you want to protect your family with a last will and testament."

Even if you don't live close to elder parents you can be of help. In our ever changing society it is quite possible that children will move far away from their parents.  However, that does not mean children who do not live close cannot be of service in caring for their parents, according to ...

Preparing for the tax season is also a good way to organize an estate plan. Since you have to get all of your financial information for the year sorted out and digested at tax time, you can also benefit from your organizing effort by creating an estate plan, according to Forbes...

You have Social Security and Medicare but what's next? It might be tempting to stop planning after retirement.  However, there is still some planning left to do, according to the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog in "Post-Retirement Planning: A Checklist for Seniors."

New Hampshire may put elder abuse cases on the fast track. While suspected elder abuse is being investigated and going through the legal system, the abuse can continue.  However, some New Hampshire legislators are working on solving the problem, according to Seacoast Online in "House bill wo...

Much depends on the state laws and the family situation when it comes to estate planning. When parents become estranged from their children, they need to know how to handle those children in their estate plans.

It is not the wealthy singles who are most in need of an estate plan. Most people think protecting their children is more important than money. That's why parents with minor children have more reasons to plan their estates than wealthy single people, according to Volume One in "When There's ...

The idea has only been science fiction so far.  However, that may change in the future. The reproduction of things learned after birth is not likely anytime soon, so an almost identical human genetic clone might be far off.

If a spouse passes away unexpectedly, the financial challenges can make the situation even worse. If a spouse passes away and they were the one who handled the finances, the widow or widower may face an additional challenge.  However, they should not let financial issues bother them too much...

Are one or more of the potential heirs considering or have no interest in the farm? There are three steps. When a farmer passes away, one, all or none of the children may have an interest in the farm. That makes planning seem difficult.  However, in reality there are only three steps to consider...

If you end up needing Medicaid, the government will look closely at your assets. There are some ways around the problem of having assets and needing Medicaid. An irrevocable trust is one of the answers.

While many digital legal documents have already been created, it seems that wills create a real challenge. Despite the recent move to create digital legal documents, wills, which by the very nature of the deceased being unable to verify the document in court, have remained on the back bu...