If the thought of making an estate plan seems daunting, it might be way down on your list of priorities. After all, with day-to-day expenses, savings goals, and unexpected costs, thinking about what happens to your assets after you’re gone can feel intimidating and overwhelming. As an estate planning attorney, I’ve seen how procrastinating onContinueContinue reading “The Hidden Costs of Procrastinating Your Estate Plan”
Category Archives: General
How to Talk About Estate Planning
There’s an important conversation lurking and it’s one we often avoid—estate planning. It’s easy to see why. The topic of what happens when we’re no longer here can feel uncomfortable or even morbid. Even though death is a necessary part of life, we avoid it because it makes us feel uneasy or outright scared. ThisContinueContinue reading “How to Talk About Estate Planning”
Anatomy of a Trust
A revocable living trust is used in estate planning to manage assets during a person’s lifetime and to transfer those assets upon death. A key benefit of a revocable living trust is that it can help avoid the probate process, as the assets are already in the trust and do not need to pass throughContinueContinue reading “Anatomy of a Trust”
Value of an Estate Planning Attorney Over Online Legal Services
When it comes to preparing your will, the decision of which service to use is critical. You want to ensure that your final wishes are clearly stated, legally sound, and tailored to your unique circumstances. When you search for estate planning services, you’ll inevitably be offered the option to create your will using an onlineContinueContinue reading “Value of an Estate Planning Attorney Over Online Legal Services”
How Do Assets Pass to Beneficiaries After Death?
You might be wondering what happens to your stuff after you’re no longer around. Today, we’ll explore the two primary paths through which assets are transferred to beneficiaries after one’s passing – one entails legal proceedings, while the other offers a straightforward, more hassle-free process. Outside of Court The easiest option is passing assets outsideContinueContinue reading “How Do Assets Pass to Beneficiaries After Death?”
Probate: Why Avoiding it Matters in Estate Planning
Probate is a term that often crops up in discussions about estate planning, but a lot of people don’t know what it is. More importantly, they’re not sure why they should strategize to avoid it. Understanding ProbateProbate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed to their heirs and beneficiaries. ItContinueContinue reading “Probate: Why Avoiding it Matters in Estate Planning”
Top 3 Reasons Singles Need an Estate Plan
Singles need to plan for unexpected circumstances possibly even more urgently than those who are married. REASON #1: Singles need to choose their decision-makers. Being single can be awesome, but one drawback is that without a spouse, it is not always obvious who should make decisions for you when you cannot make them for yourself.ContinueContinue reading “Top 3 Reasons Singles Need an Estate Plan”
What Is The Difference Between a Living Will and a DNR?
A “living will” and a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) are important documents that guide medical decisions if you’re unable to make them yourself. However, they serve different purposes and have key distinctions. Living Will In Virginia and Maryland, a “living will” is part of an advanced medical directive, allowing adults to outline their medical preferencesContinueContinue reading “What Is The Difference Between a Living Will and a DNR?”
Understanding Living Trusts
In the realm of estate planning, one term that often comes up is the living trust. But what exactly is a living trust, and how can it benefit you and your loved ones? What is a Living Trust?A living trust, also referred to as a revocable trust, is a legal arrangement in which an individualContinueContinue reading “Understanding Living Trusts”
We’re Growing! Now Offering Comprehensive Estate Planning Solutions to Both Virginia and Maryland
Mathews Law is delighted to announce expansion into the state of Maryland. With this expansion, Ms. Lisa Mathews will proactively extend her expertise and dedicated service to a broader community, offering comprehensive estate planning solutions to clients in both Virginia and Maryland. Mathews Law has garnered a reputation for providing a warm and welcoming environmentContinueContinue reading “We’re Growing! Now Offering Comprehensive Estate Planning Solutions to Both Virginia and Maryland”