A trust and a will don’t really “compete” on asset protection in Wisconsin instead, they do different jobs. The better question is what you want to protect against, and during which phase: life, incapacity, or after death. In most Wisconsin estate plans, they work together rather than one replacing the other.
Category: Will
Wisconsin Estate Planning: How and why do Will contests arise in Wisconsin?
A will contest is a lawsuit challenging the validity of a will. In Wisconsin, these disputes usually arise after the testator (the person who made the will) dies and the will is submitted for probate. The challenger is typically an heir who expected to inherit more, a beneficiary under a prior will,...
Wisconsin Estate Planning: What Checklist Should Graduates from College Need After Graduation in Wisconsin?
From an estate planning perspective, graduating from college in Wisconsin is a “life reset” moment: you’re opening accounts, naming beneficiaries, and starting to accumulate assets that may later pass outside your control if nothing is set up correctly. Even if you don’t own much yet, a simple, practical checklist now will save...
Wisconsin Estate Planning: Why are Pour-Over Wills Important When Preparing a Revocable Living Trust in Wisconsin?
A pour-over will is a safety‑net document that works alongside a revocable living trust in Wisconsin. It does not replace the trust—it supports it by catching anything that was missed so your estate plan still works even if something isn’t perfectly set up before death. In simple terms, a pour-over will says...
Wisconsin Estate Planning: Does a Trust or a Will Better Protect Assets in Wisconsin?
A trust and a will don’t really “compete” on asset protection in Wisconsin—they do different jobs. The better question is what you want to protect against, and during which phase: life, incapacity, or after death. In most Wisconsin estate plans, they work together rather than one replacing the other.
Wisconsin Estate Planning: Estate Planning for Schoolteachers: How Your Benefits Come into Play
As a schoolteacher, you do far more than teach lessons. You manage a classroom, mentor students, and juggle a busy schedule—often while balancing other responsibilities at home. But one important task is often too easy to postpone: estate planning.
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. It is...
Wisconsin Estate Planning: The Risks of an Unfinished Estate Plan—and Why You Should Complete Yours
Planning for the future, especially your own mortality, is never easy. Even when you understand the importance of creating a will or trust to protect your loved ones, finding the motivation to complete an estate plan can be difficult. Yet an unfinished estate plan is almost as risky as having no plan...
Your Legacy in Living Color in Madison, Wisconsin
There is a famous scene in The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy steps into the magical Land of Oz and is transported from a black-and-white world to a Technicolor one.
The phrase in living color originates from TV and film advertising in the mid-20th century, when black-and-white imagery was...
What to Do When Your Doctor Tells You to Get Your Affairs in Order in Wisconsin
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]...
Estate Planning Tips for Someone Facing Major Surgery in Wisconsin
Receiving news that you need major surgery is never easy. Preparing for work absences, planning for childcare and household responsibilities, and understanding the procedure itself and your recovery timeline may be among the things you are worried about. If you have only a short time (weeks or days) to react, focusing on...