Probate court proceedings can be a painful, costly process for all involved. Probate courts handle the transference of a deceased person’s assets to the inheritors. Families and friends must sit through long sessions of legal discussions and confusion surrounding the intent of wills. Various states have developed alternatives to probate court proceedings in which individuals …
One of the most important things that a person can do is to create a will. Although it seems like you have the time, you never know when you’ll need a will, meaning it’s better to write one before it’s too late. However, even knowing their importance, a lot of people still wonder when is …
Options for Protecting Your Assets in Montana Lawsuits, injuries, catastrophic losses, market downturns — anything can happen at the drop of the hat. Without proper asset protection, your most precious resources and the wealth you had built over decades could all be jeopardized. These losses could impact your entire family, going down many generations that …
Many of us do not want to spend our time thinking about our death, which is pretty much what it means when you sit down to make a will. You have to consider what you want to leave, and to whom, after you have passed away, and it is often much easier convincing ourselves that …
While none of us like to dwell on the idea of our own mortality, death is an inevitability that must be considered a part of adult life. The older you get and the more assets you accrue, the larger burden it would be if your loved ones were faced with your unexpected and unplanned-for passing. …
Four Steps to Get Started with Montana Estate Planning Read More »
A personal representative is a “fiduciary”, which refers to someone who is acting in a position of trust for the benefit of others. As a fiduciary, a personal representative is held to a high standard of integrity, ethics, and accountability. This guideline was prepared to give an overview of the duties and responsibilities of a …
Retirement accounts come in many different forms and are available to nearly every employee. Some retirement plans are known as “qualified plans,” the most common being employer sponsored 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans, defined benefit plans, and employee stock ownership plans[i]. Other retirement options include qualified annuity plans, tax sheltered annuity plans, 403(b) plans, traditional …
When you think of estate planning, do you think of planning your own future, or simply the lives of the rich and famous? Exotic destinations, sports cars, luxury yachts, mansions and the like? Well, the truth is everyone from society’s elite to the elderly widow on Main Street, USA has an estate worth planning, which …
Simple Answer: It depends on the language of the documents. Prenuptial/Anti-nuptial Agreements Generally speaking, a Pre-nuptial Agreement is an agreement that is entered into prior to marriage that delineates each person’s property and how that property is to be handled in the marriage and beyond. Prenuptial Agreements and Wills If the terms of the Prenuptial …
Last Will and Testament vs. Pre-Nuptial Agreement: Which One Prevails? Read More »
Approximately 5 to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide each year, and approximately 3 to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats). As a responsible guardian, it is important to think about who would care for your pets in the event of your inability, illness, or even …
