Receiving an inheritance is a huge blessing but, if not handled properly, can also become a curse. Often times, the inheritor does not know what to do with the new asset and runs into financial trouble, squandering most, if not all of it. This could happen due to the inheritor having outstand...

November is National Adoption Month, which is aimed at raising awareness about adoption and the children who need permanent, loving homes. Thousands of children are adopted each year, bringing much joy to their adoptive families. If you are in the process of adopting or have recently adopted a ...

No matter the time of year, it is always a good opportunity for members of the military and their loved ones to consider setting up — or revising an existing —estate plan. Military families need to consider special estate-planning issues that others do not. This is particularly true when one or...

The idea of implementing an estate plan might be one of the scariest things you have to confront as an adult. But estate planning does not have to make chills run down your spine. On the contrary, estate planning is empowering for both you and your family and allows you to live confidently kn...

The presence of a comprehensive estate plan or the absence of one can make the difference between lessening the burden on loved ones or adding additional grief for them down the road. The lack of an estate plan or a poorly-planned estate plan could mean that taxes and fees eat deeply into the ...

Your thoughtfully constructed estate plan could be disrupted by a challenge from a relative or friend who is unhappy with his or her inheritance (or lack of one).Here are 13 effective strategies that you can use to reduce the likelihood of your estate plan being challenged. #1. DON'T PROCRASTINA...

October 18-24, 2021 is Estate Planning Awareness Week. Now that summer vacation is over and the kids are back in school, it is a great time to review or move forward with your estate planning. Because an estate plan is not just a single document but rather a comprehensive set of several legal...

October 18th-24th marks National Estate Planning Awareness Week in the United States. The observance seeks to educate Americans about the importance of having proper estate planning documents in place should death or incapacity suddenly occur. Estate planning is one of the most overlooked area...

In 2008, Congress recognized the need for the public to understand the importance and benefits of estate planning by passing House Resolution 1499, which designated the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Nevertheless, according to a 2021 survey conducted by Caring...

An Executor of an estate is simply the person who is designated to carry out the wishes set forth in the decedent's will. This person also has the responsibility of finishing up the decedent's final affairs, such as paying outstanding bills and taxes. An Executor is usually named by the deceden...

It's hard to believe that more than half of all adults in America do not have a Last Will and Testament or Trust in place, especially with so many public stories of celebrities who left their estates a mess by not leaving behind a Will, leaving an invalid Will, or not properly funding their T...

The third week of October is National Estate Planning Awareness Week (Oct. 18-24, 2021). Estate planning is important for everyone regardless of wealth or family status because if you become incapacitated or pass away without an estate plan, you are leaving the distribution of your assets sub...

Trusts are important legal relationships that involve a Grantor who creates a Trust to hold property, a Trustee who holds or manages the property in the Trust, and a Beneficiary (or Beneficiaries) who eventually receives the property. While there are many types of Trusts, they can usually be br...

If I had to pick one question that I am asked the most, I'd have to say this one ranks way up there… Do I need a new estate plan if I move out of Georgia? Just like the answer to most estate planning questions, the answer is “it depends.” However, this one has a pretty simple explanation.  A...

Most Marietta elder lawyers agree that Medicaid is one of the best programs provided by the government for senior citizens who need help paying for long-term care. Medicaid is a needs-based program with strict income and asset limits that must be followed; otherwise, seniors can face penalties if...

According to research, 69% of adults ages 50-64 are on social media regularly, and 50% of adults older than 65 are on some form of social media as well. However, in my experience as an Marietta will lawyer, I've found that most people do not have a plan for what should happen to their growing p...

As a Marietta estate lawyer, when I meet with parents to start the process of creating a special needs plan for their child with disabilities, I almost always advise against leaving any type of inheritance outright to the child when mom or dad passes away. This can come as a shock to parents, ...

Considering the myriad of trusts available, creating the right estate plan can seem daunting.  However, that is what we, as estate planning attorneys, do every day. We know the laws and will design a plan which addresses your specific situation.  Here is a look at the basics of ten common tr...

In a constantly evolving world, having the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances is a valuable trait. But is flexibility less important in estate planning than in other areas of life? In many situations, you may not want your estate planning documents to be flexible after you have si...

Avoiding probate is a common goal for individuals deciding how they want their money and property to be handled when they pass. It is a worthy one and is regularly promoted by estate planning attorneys across the nation. However, probate is not an inherently bad process and does not always ne...

Estate planning is not just about what happens when you die. Proper estate planning takes into consideration all aspects of your life and how to protect your accounts and property so that you can receive the maximum use and enjoyment during your life as well as protect whatever you choose to le...

It's clear why you might want to avoid court involvement in your estate for financial reasons, knowing that probate can quickly get costly and time consuming for those involved. But there is an emotional component to it as well. Your assets are just that: yours. And the idea of them being dis...

Helping parents to choose a guardian who can raise their children in the event of an untimely death is one of the most important jobs a Marietta estate planning attorney has. Rather than leaving the decision to a judge (who may choose guardians the parents would never want), working with an e...

Even if you do not listen to pop music, it has been hard to ignore the recent news about Britney Spears and the #FreeBritney movement trending on social media. What is this movement all about? And why should average Americans care? In 2008, pop singer and superstar performer Britney Spears h...

Estate planning can be a very difficult process. While it's not brain surgery, making the decision to move forward with the planning requires us to face the fact that we will not live forever. This thought can stop many people right in their tracks. Others talk themselves out of seeing a qual...