Estate Planning

The law uses terms that don’t always make sense to people who haven’t been through law school, and “codicil“ is one of them. A will codicil is simply a document that amends the terms of an existing will. Codicils can do a lot of things to an existing will, including explain ambiguous terms, add new …

This answer to this question brings to mind the following response we’ve all heard at some point in our lives: sure you can—but should you? There is nothing in Missouri law that requires you to consult with an attorney when making a will, but it is highly advisable to do so. Making a will is …

Most of us have heard of a trust. Whether you’ve been aware of the wealthy individual creating a trust for his or her favorite charity or the “trust-fund baby” you went to college with, chances are you are aware of the fact that trusts exist and they have something to do with money. The reality …

Creating a living trust (a trust into which you place your assets while you are alive) is one of the most powerful estate planning tools available. While many people hear the words “estate planning” or “trust” and think that these issues only are relevant to the very wealthy, many people of moderate means can benefit …

Estate planning is something that all of should do but few of us understand. Simply put, it is the process of arranging your assets in a way that allows for the distribution of those assets in the way you intend when you pass away. You may create an estate plan that covers all of your …

When a considerable sum of money is involved, a spendthrift trust is an incredibly effective means of passing along and preserving wealth to your heirs. Not only does a spendthrift trust protect money from creditors, it protects it from your heirs themselves. By its nature, a spendthrift trust prevents heirs from racing through their inheritance, …

Not surprisingly, lawyers who specialize in estate planning will say “no.” However, they aren’t alone, and many of the financial experts who advise against DIY estate planning don’t actually have any skin in the game—they lose nothing if you go your own way and use one of the many self-help online services that offer DIY …

You work hard with your family’s future in mind, but many people nonetheless fail to secure that future with robust estate planning. People offer up a variety of reasons for putting off estate planning, but by engaging in some basic planning now, you’ll not only help protect your family financially but will also afford yourself …

A trust is a legal instrument that allows a trustee to hold legal title to someone else’s property—who identified as the beneficiary. You can even be the trustee of your own trust, which allows you complete control over all the property held in that trust. A living trust (an inter vivos trust) refers to a …

You probably understand how critical estate planning is for your family’s future, but it’s nonetheless one of those things that many people find many reasons to put off—sometimes, indefinitely. Putting in the time and effort to effectively plan your estate, however, can go a long way towards protecting your family’s future finances and can allow …