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The Deaths of Gene Hackman and His Wife
Investigators found legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Machiko Arakawa, dead under mysterious circumstances. Indications are that Hackman passed about a week after Arakawa. The timing of their deaths matters due to the simultaneous death rule. This rule can impact inheritances when spouses die close in time to each other and their plans… Read more
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Alternatives to Disinheritance
Leaving an inheritance does not have to be all or nothing. You can leave a small token gift, such as a hundred dollars or a family heirloom, to show that you thought of them and didn’t accidentally omit them. A no-contest clause provides that anyone who challenges your plan loses their inheritance. Combining it with… Read more
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How to Disinherit Someone
Disinheriting someone requires a clear and unambiguous statement in your estate planning documents. Leaving their name out of your plan is not enough. The court could assume that an omitted name is unintentional and award them a share of your estate. Your estate plan should explicitly state that you do not want the person to… Read more
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What You Need to Know to Disinherit Someone
Disinheritance—the intentional exclusion of a family member, usually a child or spouse, from receiving part of your estate—is more common than you might think. It is also easier than you might think, with a couple of exceptions. However, it is not as simple as omitting someone’s name from your estate plan. You are generally—but not… Read more
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It’s Planning Season
To have a successful farm, thoughtful planning must be done every season. Your life is no different. To properly prepare for the next season in your life, you need a well-executed estate plan. When crafting a plan, consider the following planning tools. A revocable living trust is a tool in which a trustee manages the… Read more
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Home Co-Ownership and Estate Planning
Estate planning takes on added importance when you co-own a home. If you own the property as tenants in common, your will should state who inherits your share. Placing your interest in a trust can avoid probate. If you leave your share to multiple beneficiaries, your plan should describe how your share will be divided… Read more
