Estate Planning
Healthcare Decision-Making Should Be Part of Your Estate Plan
Your estate plan should include critical health-related documents as well as traditional property documents such as wills and trusts. That means that preparing your estate plan will involve issues such as determining who will make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. There is no recommended age to prepare healthcare documents–in fact, the…
Read MoreWhat Happens If You Don’t Have a Will or Trust?
When you die without leaving a will, you are said to have died “intestate” and the government decides how to distribute your property according to the laws of intestate succession. These laws may or may not allocate assets in the manner you would choose. If you are married and have children, the laws generally divide…
Read MoreHolding an Estate Planning “Fire Drill”
Getting your affairs in order through an estate plan is a great way to prepare for your future, but have you ever thought about how your family will follow your instructions after your death? An estate planning “fire drill” will help you and your family openly talk and ask questions about your estate plan. Just like…
Read MoreAvoid Probate by Funding Your Living Trust
Clients often create a living trust to provide for themselves and their loved ones—only to forget to fund it. Many others mistakenly believe that a trust automatically funds itself after a lawyer approves it. The truth is, you must take steps to fund your living trust if you want your beneficiaries to avoid a long…
Read MoreThree Estate Planning Factors to Consider Before Year-End
With COVID-19 continuing to create an unpredictable future, it’s important to consider some estate planning factors before the year’s end. By thinking ahead now and knowing what to look for, you can futureproof your estate plan and further your goals for years to come. You may also be able to take advantage of certain tax…
Read MoreWhat Is Typically Included in an Estate Plan?
Your estate plan gives your loved ones detailed instructions for the distribution of your property and assets, healthcare should you need it, and financial protection. An estate plan can be a valuable tool to protect and safeguard what you’ve worked so hard to achieve. It can also provide for healthcare or financial decisions should you…
Read MoreWhat Will Happen with Your Passwords, Usernames and Security Questions When You’re Gone??
Most people have thought about how their assets will be distributed when they die, yet passwords, usernames and security questions are typically overlooked. It is important to plan for the manner in which your online accounts will be handled after you pass away, as managing these accounts has the potential to become quite the nightmare…
Read MoreAs your kids get ready to return to school, have you done your Estate Planning homework?
The school season is right around the corner. If you are a parent, you have likely bought your little one some new clothes, book covers, pens, paper and other school supplies. However, plenty of parents have not prepared for the possibility of prematurely departing this plane of existence. Have you thought about how your kids…
Read MoreWho Will Make Medical Decisions for You if You Can’t?
If you are suddenly unable to care for yourself physically or mentally, do you know who will make medical decisions for you? Unfortunately, many people find themselves in this position because they haven’t discussed their plan with anyone – or perhaps have a plan at all. Appointing someone to make medical decisions for you when…
Read MoreAmy Phillips Featured on Sage Aging Podcast: Everything you need to know about estate planning
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance of life decisions such as wills and estate planning. We’ve all heard that saying “Nothing is sure but death and taxes,” but we at the Law Office of Amy L. Phillips, PLLC would argue that confusion surrounding legal matters as we age is a…
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