Estate planning is not a “set it and forget it” task. While creating an estate plan is a powerful first step, keeping that plan current is just as important. Life changes—and when it does, your estate plan should change with it. At Life Planning Team, we often meet clients who created a will or trust years ago and assumed it would always reflect their wishes. Unfortunately, outdated plans can lead to unintended consequences, unnecessary legal complications, and emotional stre

Probate can be a lengthy, costly, and public process that many people want to avoid when planning their estates. The probate process involves validating a will, settling debts, and distributing assets under court supervision. This can delay the transfer of assets to heirs and reduce the estate’s value due to fees and taxes. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to minimize or bypass probate, ensuring a smoother transition of assets to beneficiaries. Legal docume

When you hear the word "will," you might think it’s the one and only document you need to secure your estate after you pass away. Many people believe that simply having a will is enough to protect their assets and ensure their wishes are followed. But is that really true? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. This post explores what a will can and cannot do, and what additional steps you might need to take to fully protect your estate. What a Will Actually Does

Estate planning often feels complicated and overwhelming, yet it is essential for protecting your assets and ensuring your wishes are honored after you pass away. Many people delay or avoid estate planning simply because they don’t know where to start or what questions to ask. This post answers the most common questions about estate planning, helping you understand the basics and take the right steps for your future. Estate planning documents laid out on a desk, ready for rev

Creating a living trust is a powerful step in protecting your assets and ensuring a smooth transfer to your heirs. However, simply creating the trust is not enough—you must also fund your trust  while you are alive. Funding a trust means transferring ownership of your assets into the trust so it can function as intended. Without this step, your trust may not help you avoid probate or fulfill your estate planning goals. Below are the steps to take to fund your trust: 1. Under

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Probate is a legal process that can often be complex, time-consuming, and expensive. It involves validating a deceased person's will,...

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People seeking estate planning often look for guidance on a variety of topics to ensure their assets are managed and distributed...