Why Unmarried Couples Need Estate Planning the Most

If you have ever watched Judge Judy on TV, you may have heard the iconic judge tell couples who have been living together “without the benefit of marriage” that courts are not designed to handle the legal ramifications of “setting up shop” together. Yet it is happening more and more. For many reasons, older couples…

READ MORE →

Happy Mother’s Day: Celebrate, then Plan

You’ve made brunch reservations and bought flowers. The kids have made a special card and you bought her favorite perfume or other special gift. Mother’s Day is special because Moms are special. What would we do without them? What would we do without them? Whether they have been Moms for 1 year or 41 years, their…

READ MORE →

Summertime Means Travel, But Are You Really Prepared?

Summer vacation for estate planning attorney

Summer Vacation is a family’s happy place. When mom says be sure to pack all the essentials and make sure you have thought of everything, I guarantee she probably didn’t mean Estate Planning. Yet, when you go to “Fly the Friendly Skies” or Road Trip to that amazing National Park, this added level of protection…

READ MORE →

Pensions, Beneficiaries, and Rights of Survivorship

When it comes to protecting beneficiaries, financial planning gets detailed. I have a client whose husband spent a good part of his professional career at a “household name” company. He worked hard and made his way up the ladder to a mid-to-upper management level. He was then offered the ability to take part in a pension…

READ MORE →

Probate Series (Part 2): 3 Common Ways to Avoid It

As with every aspect of your estate, Seiter Law strongly suggests that you contact an experienced estate attorney to discuss, your assets, the probate process and the laws in your state before trying to limit or avoid probate. That being said, in general these are the most common ways to avoid probate: Joint Tenancy With Right…

READ MORE →

Protecting Your Special Needs Child

protecting special needs child with estate planning

While many parents become experts at how their health insurance, government benefits and SSI work, they have no knowledge of medical directives and/or living wills and what those plans will do for the care of their special needs kids. Here are some basic guidelines to discuss with your Estate Planner:   1.  Have your own…

READ MORE →

Did You Know: Beneficiary Forms Override Estate Planning Docs

Beneficiary forms override estate planning documents

Did you know that any beneficiary forms you sign with a bank or other institution will override your carefully thought out, perfectly crafted estate planning docs? Generally, most companies have a benefit renewal period every 6-12 months. MANY start this process in November. But whether you do it at work, with your financial planner or…

READ MORE →