Have you ever wondered whether a trust or a Will is better for your estate planning needs? Many people face this dilemma when considering how to protect their assets and ensure their wishes are honored. Each option has its unique benefits and drawbacks, and choosing the right one can significantly impact how...
Transferring Your Home to a Beneficiary Prior to Death vs. Leaving It in Your Will
Deciding how to pass your home to your beneficiary is a significant and personal decision. You can either transfer ownership while you're still alive or leave it to them in your will. Each option comes with its own set of benefits and challenges, from tax implications to maintaining control over the property....
The Dangers of Having No Will or Trust in Place and Losing Capacity Before Death
Considering the undeniable fact of our mortality, it is surprising how many people delay or overlook the importance of estate planning, including the drafting of wills and trusts. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we know that the risks of dying without a will (intestate) or without a trust, compounded by...
Will and Trust Contests: How To Prevent Challenges From Unhappy Beneficiaries
Even if you have the purest intentions of providing for your loved ones when you pass and foresee a smooth transfer of assets, you should be aware that one disgruntled beneficiary who challenges your will or trust can destabilize the family. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our estate planning attorneys...
Creating an Estate Plan: How to Protect Your Wealth and Prevent Hardship for Your Heirs
Written By: Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Partner
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Estate planning is the process of making arrangements for your assets when, and if, you become incapacitated, and after your death. It can help you ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, minimize estate taxes, protect your loved...
What Happens When Co-Trustees Disagree?
Serving as a trustee is a serious responsibility. When more than one person is named, the role can be easier in some ways, since the work and decision-making are shared. At the same time, disagreements between co-trustees can make administering a trust far more complicated. If you are considering naming co-trustees, or...
What You Can Do to Avoid Trust Disputes
Trust disputes often start when beneficiaries feel confused, caught off guard, or uncertain about how a trust was created or managed. Careful planning, clear documentation, and thinking ahead about how your decisions may be viewed later can reduce that risk. While no plan can prevent every disagreement, a well-designed trust can limit...
The Benefits of Preparing a Will
While most people understand that they will need a Last Will and Testament, a recent Gallup poll shows that 46 percent of American adults do not have a will. If you are one of this group, whether due to simple procrastination or unwillingness to confront mortality, now...
Test Your Estate Planning Knowledge
by Attorney Rebecca S. Spinner
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How much do you know about estate planning? How prepared are you and your family? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge and perhaps learn something new!
Question #1
True or false? You must name the same...
New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors
New Year’s resolutions are a way to start off the New Year right. Usually, they have to do with improving ourselves. Whether it is to lose weight, exercise, learn a new skill, etc. More often than not, the resolution only lasts a few weeks or a couple of months. Here is an...