No matter how much or how little your assets are worth, they are your children’s legacy. Your assets are a piece of you that you are able to give to your children for them to remember you and for them to carry a piece of with you always. On many occasions, your...
Springfield Missouri Estate Planning And Probate Law Blog
The importance of powers of attorney in an estate plan
Estate planning is for everyone which is what makes it important to be familiar with estate planning documents that can help estate planners protect themselves and their interests. This includes understanding why the estate planner should have powers of attorney and...
Do I need to go through the probate process if my spouse dies?
Missourians are hard-working individuals, whether they work in the healthcare industry, the service industry the manufacturing industry or any of the many other jobs the state offers. While we work our daily lives, we may find that our jobs become more difficult if...
A plan for a special needs child is important for estate planning
Every child in Missouri has needs as they grow older and it is their parents’ responsibility to ensure that those needs are met. This can require a large amount of time and money to do, but some children will need extra care. Some children have special needs for...
Distributing assets properly after a person dies
If you are appointed to serve as an estate representative, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks. One of those tasks will be to ensure that the assets inside of the decedent's Missouri estate are distributed in a timely and proper manner. Is a beneficiary...
Should you give your house to your children while you’re alive?
For many parents in Missouri, giving their house to their children after they pass away seems like a natural part of the aging process. If the parents make smart decisions, a house could be a great investment for their beneficiaries whether they choose to live in the...
2 reasons to wait to gift your assets to your children
One significant aspect of estate planning is transferring your assets to your children after your death. Usually, you will assign each asset to its recipient in your will, and your executor will carry out your wishes after you pass. However, many people might believe...
What estate planning documents do you need?
While you are not legally required to have an estate plan, the practice is important in caring for your estate and your family. Without it, your estate will go through probate and the courts will decide what happens. As you consider creating an estate plan, begin by...
Can you address sibling rivalry in your estate plan?
Some Missouri residents are not big on planning ahead. They may think that everything will fall into place as it is supposed to, or they may not like planning because no one follows instructions anyway. The latter may be true for you and other parents who have...
Have you thought about qualifying for Medicaid?
As you get older, you may have many important life aspects to think about. You may look forward to certain events, like retirement, but you may also worry about other potential issues, like suffering from an injury or illness in your later years. While some people may...