Estate Planning - The Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph

The Pros and Cons of Probate

The word “probate” often causes a severely negative reaction. For many people — especially those with large estates — estate planning attorneys recommend keeping property out of probate whenever possible. The probate system was ultimately established to protect property, and protect those people entitled to inherit it. In a few cases, probate may even work to an advantage.

April 15th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Probate|

How to Avoid Probate

It is very important to avoid probate. You may think that a Last Will avoids probate after you pass away – but it does not. Everyone pictures a scene out of a movie where the executor reads the Will to the family, and then everyone gets their inheritance. It is never that simple!

April 3rd, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Probate|

Top Ten Reasons to Create an Estate Plan

Given the complexities of most estate plans, you’ll want to work with a qualified estate planning attorney. You may also find it helpful to work with other professionals, such as a financial planner, an insurance agent, or an accountant. But your attorney should always be the one who prepares your estate planning documents.

March 15th, 2024|Estate Planning, LGBTQ Estate Planning|

Last Will vs. Living Trust

Should you create a last will or a living trust? In determining if you should create a last will or a living trust, it is important to understand what happens after you pass away, including the legal considerations, the role of your executor, and the distribution of your specific assets.

March 6th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning, LGBTQ Estate Planning|

What is an Advance Health Care Directive?

A document that I often prepare for my clients as an essential part of their estate plan is the Advance Health Care Directive. This document is important so your wishes regarding medical decisions and end-of-life decisions will be known to your loved ones and medical providers.

February 19th, 2024|Estate Planning, LGBTQ Estate Planning|

What is a Pourover Will?

A pourover will is a will used in connection with a trust. A pourover will is like any other will, except that the primary beneficiary is your living trust.

January 13th, 2024|Estate Planning, LGBTQ Estate Planning|

Successor Trustees

One of the biggest decisions you will make when creating your living trust is choosing your successor trustee. I always tell my clients it is important to select a successor trustee they count on, as that person will ultimately be responsible for protecting and distributing your assets to your loved ones.

December 30th, 2023|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Preparing Your Own Last Will

After the pandemic in 2020, the popularity of people preparing their own wills grew. As many of us realized after the pandemic, it is more important than ever to put legal affairs in order. While I always recommend contacting a lawyer to prepare your estate planning documents, if you decide to prepare your own last will, here is some helpful information that would have saved my past clients a lot of grief.

December 10th, 2023|Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Resources|

Determining the Best Estate Plan for You

Many people I have worked with over the years come to me not really knowing what an estate plan includes. Most have heard the terms “living trust” and “last will”, but are not sure what they need, or how a trust or a will can help them. We can help you determine what the best estate plan is for you.

November 27th, 2023|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|

Specific Estate Planning Needs of the LGBTQ+ Community

Proper estate planning by an attorney who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community ensures you are working with someone who understands your unique needs. Ensuring your assets will go to who you want, your estate is managed by the person of your choice, and in the event you are incapacitated, your medical decision and financial matters are handled by the person you want, is essential to protecting yourself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

November 16th, 2023|LGBTQ Estate Planning|