Serving as the administrator of an estate is more complex than many people anticipate. Whether you’re choosing the administrator you’ll name in your will or have been appointed administrator and are unsure of your responsibilities, it’s important to understand the…

You may have been running around for weeks, getting your new college student off to school. It's exhilarating, and your heart likely is bursting at the seams. You're probably prouder than you can say, but you're a little afraid, too.…

Fully protecting your spouse and children requires protecting yourself in ways that many young adults don’t consider, and preparing for eventualities most will never have to face. These tips on legal and financial planning for parents will help protect your…

Many people assume that their spouses or children will automatically be provided for upon their deaths. With that expectation, it’s easy to view a will or living trust as a tool that may make the process smoother, but won’t have…

Every adult is assumed to be capable of making his or her own decisions unless a court determines otherwise. If an adult becomes incapable of making responsible decisions due to a mental disability, the court will appoint a substitute decision…

You don’t need to have a summer house in the Hamptons or a private art collection big enough to rival MOMA to consider yourself the owner of an estate. In fact, virtually anyone who owns anything has an “estate” in…

When a medical emergency or some type of serious disability or incapacity strikes, it may be too late to make important decisions about your medical care. Though none of us wants to contemplate a time when we may be unconscious…

Many people opt for a living trust over more traditional means of estate planning because of benefits such as: A smoother, shorter transition after death Lower costs of administration after death Flexibility during the grantor’s lifetime Greater ability to control…

When a spouse passes away, thinking about “the estate” might be the last thing on your mind. And while it’s necessary to give yourself ample time to process the loss of your partner, it’s also imperative you talk with your…

Choosing a nursing home for a family member can be one of the most difficult decisions anyone ever has to make. The fact that a loved one needs to move to a nursing home means that he or she is…