Once in a while a married couple will ask me about joint wills. A joint will is a single document signed by two people, usually leaving all of their assets to each other. When the surviving spouse dies the assets are then left to the children. Seems simple, and the easiest way draft an estate plan. This strategy it’s almost always a never a good idea. Problems with Joint Wills Since joint wills are binding contracts between two people, it…
If you work in a school, have a student, or an adult student; I urge you to seriously consider getting your estate plan together. Since I’ve worked in the public school system as a teacher; I know they are some of the germiest places on earth. To keep healthy while I was teaching, I used at least a half a dozen different ways to “high five” students without ever touching them. Kids get germs from school. They’re going back to…
Don’t overlook this important piece of your estate planning. The letter of last instructions gives your personal representative, as well as your family, details they’ll need to settle financial matters, and resolve your final wishes. Although, it’s not legally binding, it’s an invaluable resource to your loved ones. It provides final wishes not covered in your will, as well as contact information, they’ll need to close accounts and settle your matters. What To Write Often, a letter of last instructions…
Prior to social distancing my firm’s procedure for drafting and finalizing a client’s estate plan went something like this. I met with clients a first time to gather information; then created a first draft of their documents; next I met with them again to review their documents; and lastly I met with them a third time to finalize their estate plans. If the stay-in-place order has forced you to address “what if” scenarios which were previously unthinkable. So, after you’ve…
In Colorado, a home or real property can transfer from one owner to another by the use of a beneficiary deed. Upon the death of the grantor, the transfer of property passes outside of probate. As with creating a trust or joint tenancy, the use of a beneficiary deed is considered another probate avoidance strategy. Below of some things you should know about beneficiary deeds when considering one in your estate plan: It must be recorded before the death of…