
When Mom Refuses to Create an Estate Plan
If there’s a family member or a friend in your life who refuses to do their will and get their estate in order, here are some tips to finally get them to take action.

If there’s a family member or a friend in your life who refuses to do their will and get their estate in order, here are some tips to finally get them to take action.

In most instances, a will is required to go through probate to prove its validity. Investopedia’s recent article entitled “When the Beneficiaries of a Will Are Notified” explains that there are exceptions to the requirement for probate, if the assets of the diseased are below a set dollar amount. This dollar amount depends on state…

Most consumers are familiar with the beneficiary designation form they complete when opening an IRA or 401(k). The form designates who receives the asset, if the account owner dies. However, these forms can create confusion, unintended bequests and family turmoil, if not adequately monitored.

Life insurance may play a vital role in an estate plan, because insurance proceeds can be counted on to provide liquidity when it’s needed.

Maintaining a valid and current estate plan is vitally necessary in order to ensure the efficient and orderly dispersion of assets after a person dies. However, even a small mistake can create huge problems during the settlement process, and in many cases, these errors are impossible for anyone to correct.