You’ve heard the statistic: 55% of Americans don’t have a will. And there are lots of reasons why – check out our Path of Most Resistance blog series. If you’re one of those no-will Americans, it might interest you to know: “What happens if I die without a will?” Leaving it Up to Your Congressmen If you choose not to … Read More
Watch Your Language: Intestate
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice (“Freewill” by Rush). Estate planning is based on a single choice: will you plan or will you not plan? If you choose to plan, you get to design all the details surrounding management of your property after your death. If you choose not to plan, then you are … Read More
I Digress: Estate Planning Includes Creating Your Legacy
One of the most overlooked aspects of estate planning is the opportunity to create your legacy. Believe it or not, creating a legacy isn’t all about having Northwest Iowa libraries and hospitals named after you. Instead, there are some more cost-efficient, yet great ways that you can help your family remember your values and beliefs. [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 Five]
Keeping it Current Update your fiduciaries’ contact information (see number 78) every time their information changes Your family and your estate planner (see #20) will need to find your executor and/or successor trustee, so make it easy by keeping your list of contact info current. Review your life insurance beneficiary designations every year Plans change. Family members change. Your life … 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 – 21-40 [Part Two]
Thinking about your ultimate demise is probably on the bottom of your list of things you want to spend time on. Our death hacks today focus on how to make estate planning an enjoyable process, putting the right people in charge of your plan after you’re gone, and leaving the message you want to leave through well-thought out memorial planning. [Read More]
High Five: The Zen Guide to End-of-Life Transitions
We’ve been talking this month about the Zen of planning for end-of-life transitions, but even the five step approach we’ve been talking about can seem intimidating, especially when you’re reading words on a page (or screen). So we’ve simplified things even more with our infographic: the Zen Guide to End-of-Life Transitions. [Read More]
High Five: The Zen Guide to Probate
Life is full of transitions, and the end of someone’s life can be the most significant transition of all. Amidst the emotional challenges that come with laying a loved one to rest, it can be intimidating to discover that you’ve been designated as the executor of your loved one’s estate. Then you find out you are a fiduciary and the heavy responsibility that imposes, and suddenly you’re feeling like a fish out of water. [Read More]
