Articles

Red carpet for celebrity

Three Celebrities' Probate Disasters and Tragic Lessons

One would assume that celebrities with extreme wealth would take steps to protect their estates. But think again: some of the world’s richest and most famous people enter the pearly gates with no estate plan, while others have made estate planning… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Wills
Will and Living Trust Typed on Paper with Living Trust circled in red pencil

Why a Trust Can Be the Best Option to Avoid Probate

Ideally, when someone passes away, the paperwork and material concerns associated with the deceased’s passing are so seamlessly handled (thanks to excellent preparation) that they fade into the background, allowing the family and other loved ones t… Read More
Categories: Probate, Trusts
Avoid probate with estate planning

Estate Planning Awareness Week: Is Your Plan Up-to-Date?

If you follow McCreary Law Office on social media, you probably know how much we love to point out those special days created to recognize everything from baby safety to pizza and so many things on between. But this particular awareness week this wee… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Avoid unintended consequences from using a DIY deed

Three Reasons to Avoid Probate

When you pass away, your family may need to sign certain documents as part of a probate process in order to claim their inheritance. This can happen if you own property (like a house, car, bank account, investment account, or other asset) in your nam… Read More
Categories: Probate
Magnifying glass with question mark in focus on wooden cube. Search for an answer to question. Research, searching or investigating something. estate planning questions

Questions To Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney

Creating an estate plan is a personal and often emotional undertaking, making the selection of your estate planning attorney of the utmost importance. Here are some questions you should ask your estate planning attorney to determine if they are the r… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Falling cryptocurrencies (bitcoins, dogecoins, shiba coins, binance coins and other) over blue sky. Cryptocurrency concept.

Three Things You Need to Know about Cryptocurrency and Your Estate Plan

Cryptocurrency’s popularity has rapidly increased in recent years, with more people buying and selling it. Here are three things you need to know about cryptocurrency in relation to your estate plan. Beware of the Tax Consequences Transferring your… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
adirondack chairs in front of vacation home

Important Questions to Ask When Investing in a Vacation Property

According to the National Association of Home Builders, in 2018 there were approximately 7.5 million second homes, making up 5.5 percent of the total number of homes.[1] These vacation property homes are not only real estate that must be planned for,… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Silent Drum Kit

When Rock Legends Pass Away: The Possible Fates of Meat Loaf’s $40 Million Estate

Meat Loaf, whose real name was Michael Lee Aday, passed away earlier this year at the age of seventy-four. The singer behind 1977’s Bat Out of Hell—one of the best-selling albums of all time—experienced ups and downs befitting his larger-than-l… Read More
Time to Update Neon Sign

It's Not Set-It-and-Forget-It: When to Update an Estate Plan

As we all know, life happens. There is really nothing we can do about it. However, some of the most common life events can have a dramatic effect on your estate plan meaning you will occasionally need to update your estate plan. Because if you think… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Close up of assorted pills and prescriptions discussing what to do with controlled substances at death

Three Steps to Take When the Deceased Has Controlled Substances

There are so many things to think about when a loved one passes away. What to do with the prescription drugs (or other controlled substances) that are in your loved one’s medicine cabinet is not usually at the top of that list. Yet, to avoid runnin… Read More
Categories: Probate