As a homeowner, your house should be a critical part of your estate plan. According to AARP, your home is your most valuable financial asset. Determining what happens to it after you pass is not always an easy decision. If you have children, you may consider leaving...
estate planning
Why do fewer than half of Americans have an estate plan?
If you feel like you need an estate plan but do not know where to start, you have a lot of company. According to CNBC, only about 33% of all Americans have an estate plan. Many people know the importance of an estate plan, but many put it off for various reasons....
What is the Medicaid penalty period?
The purpose of Medicaid is to help low-income seniors pay for long-term care and medical care. For this reason, you may only qualify if you meet the stringent financial eligibility requirements. Because the income and asset limits are so low in most states, most...
The Estate Planning Process
What is an Executor? An Executor is the legal representative you nominate in your Will to represent your probate estate upon your death. After filing the Will in the Probate Court, the Court officially appoints the Executor. The Executor then gathers the assets that...
Reasons to plan a funeral ahead of time
Thinking about anything related to death and dying is never enjoyable, whether it is to do with one's own passing or that of a close friend or family member. However, it is an inevitable process that most people will go through at one point or another. While families...
What can a will accomplish that a trust cannot?
Imagine that you had a toolbox that contained a hammer and a screwdriver and someone asked you which tool was better. The question would be impossible to answer because each tool does something different. Estate planning documents such as wills and trusts are tools...
Should you pick a family member to manage your estate?
Managing an estate plan is a difficult task that requires a lot out of an executor. Because they will handle many personal and important matters to you, it is natural that you will want to lean toward a family member that you love and trust. However, this is not...
Should you update your estate plan now?
After creating your estate plan, you cannot simply let it sit forgotten as you continue to live your life. Life is not a static thing, which means your estate plan cannot be, either. But how do you know when it is a good time to update your plan? Changes to assets and...
What can a trust accomplish that a will cannot?
When you put together your Ohio estate plan, you may decide to use any number of different estate planning tools to accomplish your specific goals. While a will is a key part of any estate plan, a will only does so much. When you have more specific things you want to...
What state and federal estate taxes do Ohioans pay?
Estate taxes are often a worry for those trying to settle an estate. However, they generally only apply to a limited number of situations. The Ohio Department of Taxation explains the state estate tax ended for most estates. Most estates also will not have to pay...