Confused about Trusts? Let’s Talk About Buckets Instead

Across the board, legal documents can be confusing. Just think about the paperwork needed to take out a mortgage – the legalese is overwhelming. And the same is true about trusts. Even the best document drafters can’t eliminate all the technical language in a trust document. Add to that all the different types of trusts – RLT, ILIT, IDGT, GRAT, … Read More

Watch Your Language: Trustee

A trustee has legal title to assets subject to certain conditions and requirements that are spelled out in the trust document. [Read More]

Watch Your Language: Grantor

The grantor is the person who creates a trust. No matter what type of trust you have, the grantor is always in charge because they set the trust’s terms. [Read More]

A Young Parent’s Guide to Estate Planning

For many parents, estate planning is primarily about their relationship with their children. But it’s hard to know where to even start thinking through the many decisions you need to make to set up an effective plan. Never fear; we’re here to help! If you’re a young parent (or even if you’re not), read on to find a few thought-provoking … Read More

The Biggest Job in Probate Court

There are several responsibilities that come along with being a personal representative in Northwest Iowa, and there are personal qualities which may make one person a better choice than others. For example, a good personal representative will have a sense of fairness and will be able to remain impartial when it comes to following the decedent’s instructions. [Read More]

101 Death Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Arranging Your Affairs Before You Die [Part Four]

When you build a house, you want to do so efficiently. Pine 2x4s are cheaper than 1½” oak floor boards, so that’s what you use to frame the house. When you’re making your estate plan, you don’t want the family farm to wind up being sold to pay a tax bill, the costs of probate, or the medical expenses of your beneficiaries. Fortunately, with a little forethought and some organization, you can avoid those kinds of problems and make a plan to pay or even avoid those costs without jeopardizing your wishes. [Read More]

101 Death Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Arranging Your Affairs Before You Die [Part Three]

Up to this point in the 101 Death Hacks series, we’ve mainly focused on the philosophy behind your estate plan. Starting today, we’re going to get much more practical about making an estate plan by focusing on ways to communicate your wishes and how to do that efficiently and effectively. Read on to learn about what to write down in your will and trust to make them more effective and how your estate planning can help manage the emotional transition caused by your death. [Read More]