The state of Washington made some big changes to the way that wills can be created and maintained. Thanks to the Electronic Wills Act (EWA), residents of this state can now execute and store their wills entirely online as of Jan. 1, 2022. What exactly does this mean...
Estate Planning
What are an executor’s responsibilities if a beneficiary is missing?
When you agreed to be an executor for a close friend’s or family member’s estate, they may have assured you that their estate plan was detailed, organized, straightforward and would be easy to administer. For the most part, it is. There’s just one problem: You can’t...
2 important estate planning considerations
Estate planning is a major task that all adults should think carefully about. While most people think about writing out a quick will, many might not realize that there are other factors to consider when you’re thinking about an estate plan. Your estate plan...
3 tips when picking someone to execute your estate
The person you choose to execute your estate will take on considerable responsibility. While they can get legal help to do it, you want to ensure they have certain attributes in the first place. Choosing the wrong person can delay the distribution process and could...
Why you need to designate a legal guardian for your child
One life event that often spurs people to start an estate plan is welcoming a child. It’s always wise to designate a legal guardian to care for them if something happens to you and your spouse. While the odds are slim that this will happen, they aren’t zero....
What does a power of attorney mean?
Creating an estate plan means that you need to think about what you want to happen to your assets after you pass away. However, there’s another facet to estate planning that you might not realize exists. You need to consider what’s going to happen to you if you become...
Why a DIY estate plan isn’t the best idea for you
If you are starting to work on your estate plan now, one of the things you might have looked into is using a DIY kit to do so. These kits can be helpful in some ways, such as by giving you an idea of what you need to start gathering in terms of documents or...
Should you set up a trust fund for your infant?
You may have recently had a child brought into your world, but you’re worried that health issues or an unexpected accident could make it impossible for you to watch your child grow up. You can, however, leave your child something behind in the event you pass away. ...
Can a simple letter help prevent a contest over your will?
It isn’t uncommon for family members to contest a loved one’s will after they pass. This can happen for several reasons. However, some situations are more likely to cause disputes than others. Knowing what issues can cause a family dispute after you pass away will...
Do you need an estate plan if you’re single?
Estate planning is often thought of as something that’s necessary for a person who has a family. They may not even consider the fact that a single person needs to have an estate plan in place. Making sure that you have this together if you’re single is important so...