Your wedding is over, and the day was absolutely perfect. You went away on your honeymoon with your new spouse and had the time of your lives. Now you are back and can breathe a sigh of relief and watch the rest of the years ahead unfold before your eyes. Well, not so...
Category: Will
Do You Really Need a Will? You May Not Think You Need a Will But You Really Do.
Most Americans do not have a simple will as part of their estate plan. You might believe that a will is only for the rich and famous, and not the average person who has a far smaller net worth. On the other hand, you may think that a will is entirely unnecessary since...
Flo Jo’s Tragic Mistake: A Missing Will
If you’ve created a will, congratulations! You have made your intentions clear to the world and have provided for your loved ones based on what you determined was best. One caveat, and Rule #1 when creating your will – make sure to tell someone where to find it!
Olympic Gold Medalist’s Death Tears...
Dispelling the Top 3 Estate Planning Myths
Like any other complex subject, estate planning has its share of myths and misconceptions. Understanding the top three estate planning myths will help you to create and maintain a plan that will work the way you expect it to work when it’s needed.
Estate Planning Myth #1 – You Don’t Need an Estate Plan...
Will Your Family Be Able to Find Your Original Last Will?
Who Knows Where to Find Your Original Will?
Do you know where your original will is located? Do your loved ones know where your original will is located? While your family members certainly don’t need to know what your will says, they do need to know where your original will is being stored.
...3 Tips for Overwhelmed Executors
While it is an honor to be named as an executor of a will or estate, it can also be a sobering and daunting responsibility. Being an executor (sometimes called a personal representative) requires a high level of organization, foresight, and attention to detail to meet responsibilities and ensure that all beneficiaries receive...
Planning Pitfall: Probate vs. Non-Probate Property
Transfer of property at death can be rather complex. Many are under the impression that instructions provided in a valid will are sufficient to transfer their assets to the individuals named in the will.  However, there are a myriad of rules that affect how different types of assets transfer to heirs and beneficiaries, often...
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What are the Powers and Duties of a Personal Representative?
A Personal Representative (PR) is responsible for the administration of an estate in Wisconsin. In other states, a Personal Representative may be called an Executor. The Personal Representative's signature carries the same weight of the person whose estate is being administered. He or she must pay the deceased’s debts and then distribute the...
When is a person unfit to make a will?
Testamentary capacity refers to a person’s ability to understand and execute a will. As a general rule, most people who are over the age of eighteen are thought to be competent to make and sign the will. They must be able to understand that they are signing the will, they must understand...
Five Common Reasons a Will May Be Invalid
There are several reasons that a will may prove invalid. It is important for testators to be aware of these pitfalls in order to avoid them.
Improper Execution
The requirements vary from state to state, but most states require a valid will to be witnessed...