How Often Should You Review Your Estate Plan?
Becky Cholewka: I always like assigning homework to my clients. It’s fun for me, because it’s something that somebody else has to do instead of me. One of the things of homework that I always assign is to make sure that my clients pick an important date, some date that they will remember, an anniversary, […]
The difference between simple and typical documents
Becky Cholewka: One of the things I hear all the time, probably about 3-4 times a week in my office is “Becky, you know what, I’m simple. I just need simple documents.” What I really think people are trying to tell me is that they are “typical”. Maybe they have a checking account, and a […]
How Often Should You Review Your Estate Plan?
Becky Cholewka: I always like assigning homework to my clients. It’s fun for me, because it’s something that somebody else has to do instead of me. One of the things of homework that I always assign is to make sure that my clients pick an important date, some date that they will remember, an anniversary, […]
I’m Married, Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?
Becky Cholewka: There is a lot confusion with estate planning because some people just don’t understand what the myths are versus what actually happens under the law. One of the things we hear all the time is, “You know, I don’t need to get any document in place because I’m married, and everything will just […]
6 Ways a Lawyer Can Help with Finance
Working with your attorney to create a Durable Financial Power of Attorney (POA) ensures that, in the event you become incapacitated due to illness or injury, your financial affairs continue to be handled properly. With this document, you assign an individual whom you trust to act as your financial agent. These decisions may include […]
Let’s Play Ball!
Springtime always reminds me of baseball. The local ball field was about a half-mile from my house where I grew up. Every Saturday morning in the spring and early summer I woke up to the sounds of the announcer over the PA system. I love baseball. I love the sights and the sounds of the […]
Even With the Best Planning – Families Disagree
We have families in our office all of the time who are worried about will or trust contests after their death. Our answer, although harsh but is the truth, there is no way to keep someone from contesting your will or trust. The best we can do is to make it disadvantageous for someone to contest, […]
Is your Estate Plan a Trojan Horse?
On January 31st of 2014, the Chinese celebrated the Year of the Horse. Which got me thinking about famous horses: Black Beauty, Secretariat, Trigger, Sea Biscuit, Silver, the Budweiser Clydesdales, Man O’ War, Pokey, and even the Trojan Horse. That famous tale, expertly depicted in the Brad Pitt film Troy, recounts how the Greeks hid […]
Emptying Out The Parents’ House
Emptying out a house chock full of memories can be tough. It can take a toll both on your body and on your emotions. Moreover, the task can easily provoke arguments among siblings. One may see dad’s record collection as a family heirloom, while another sees the records as being worth enough money to buy […]
9 Ways To Make Things Easier For Your Survivors
When you die, somebody is going to have to settle your financial affairs. It isn’t an easy job. So why not make it easier for that person or persons? Here are nine things you should do to make it easier for your survivors to settle up your affairs, according to an article on the Huffington […]
