If the state of Indiana considers you to be a legal adult, it's important that you have an estate plan in place. This is true even if you don't have a significant amount of money or valuable assets. In addition to managing your assets, an estate plan may allow you to...
Is an irrevocable trust right for you?
Creating a will or trust is a major decision that many individuals in Indiana make at least once in their lives. With an irrevocable trust, you will no longer own the assets or funds you are designating once you sign the trust itself, making it a slightly different...
Considerations to avoid probate in Indiana
Do you want to plan your estate to avoid probate? This court-supervised process of administering your will according to your wishes can sometimes delay the transfer of property to your heirs. Review the rules about probate in Indiana and strategies to help expedite...
How a special needs trust protects your child with a disability
When your child has special needs, you may need to make additional efforts to make sure your son or daughter has enough to get by on well into adulthood. Many Indiana parents who have children with disabilities help plan for their futures by using special needs...
How to prevent future family disputes when creating your estate plan
Disputes about the disposition of an estate can cause significant disruption to family relationships. People who feel excluded or treated unfairly may come to resent family members who inherited more than they did. Furthermore, they may attempt to invalidate a will,...
How do advance directives work?
Consider what might happen if you were suddenly incapacitated by illness or injury. If you were unable to communicate your wishes about medical treatments and care to others, healthcare staff and your family would be responsible for making tough decisions on your...
Common estate planning mistakes to avoid
The estate planning process requires meticulous consideration and preparation to maximize its protections. Any mistakes you make when drafting your estate planning documents may override your final instructions and leave your heirs without some or all of their...
How should you plan to manage estate taxes?
One of your main goals in estate planning is to preserve as many of your personal assets as is possible to pass on to your beneficiaries. You can accomplish this by providing the means through which creditors receive payments upon your death and planning to avoid...
Should a family member be your estate executor?
Indiana residents like you spend a lifetime of effort building up your estate. It makes sense then to put just as much care and effort into crafting your estate plan. To do this, you must start off with a strong foundation. This means selecting an estate executor who...
Powers of attorney provide peace of mind for you and yours
Along with a will, powers of attorney are basic estate planning tools that provide peace of mind for people of any age. However, POAs are especially important for older people who might require assistance for both their healthcare and financial needs. The POA...
