People often think about writing a will when they start to consider estate planning. They know that they have certain assets, and they want to write out instructions for who should get those assets when they pass away. This is a good place to begin with estate...
You are not obligated to include anyone in your will or leave them any assets at all -- but, if that's your goal, you need to go about it in the proper manner. To some degree, you could consider just failing to mention the person entirely. Your will states who is...
When a loved one dies, their assets will be distributed in accordance with their wishes expressed in their will. And if they die without a will (intestate), the court will distribute their assets according to Wisconsin intestacy laws. But what happens if you believe...
You may have first created your estate plan when you got married or started a well-paid professional job. Now that you have children or a child on the way, you will need to reconsider your estate plan and possibly make some changes to it. If you don't already have an...
When the subject of estate planning comes up, the first thing most people think about is creating a will to distribute their assets to their loved ones when they pass on. However, there is another estate planning tool that most people overlook: a trust. A trust is a...
To most people, the process of estate planning only involves decisions about what will happen to their assets when they pass on. However, you can also use an estate plan to address your needs and wishes for the remainder of your life. This can include your wishes with...
Having to go through the court process to settle a loved one’s estate can be stressful on many levels. Probate litigation can turn family members into sworn enemies and convert inheritance into legal fees. Worst of all, an estate that is caught up in probate...
Many testators assume that once they draft their will, they can put it away for safekeeping and never revisit it again. It's risky if you do, though. Your assets can change, and so can fondness for your beneficiaries. Your assets may go to an unintended someone, or...
One of the greatest things about humanity is how so many people want to help those in need. Many Wisconsin residents feel that giving to charity is personally rewarding. There are many benefits associated with giving to non-profit organizations through a charitable...
Every person has different priorities when they sit down to create an estate plan. Most focus on arranging to leave assets to particular people, but others take a completely different approach. For some people, the concern is not ensuring that a specific family member...
