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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
A will provides instructions about who should receive a person’s money and property after the person’s death and who they would like to care for their dependents.

What Your Will Can and Can Not Do (Hint: It's Not a Magic Wand)

A will is a legally binding directive stating who will receive much of your property upon your death. Having a will allows you to appoint a legal representative or executor to carry out your bequests and name a guardian for your children. If you die… Read More
Probate in brown envelope and judges gavel

The Process of Probate

When someone passes away, there is an often-lengthy legal procedure. This involves a court overseeing the process of authenticating the will, reviewing the deceased’s assets, paying outstanding debts, and distributing the remaining property to the… Read More
RISK in red wooden blocks keeping other blocks from falling on a wooden house

Property Co-Ownership Can Be Risky

Too often, people try to circumvent probate challenges by deeding property away to someone else during their lives or by putting someone else on the deed to their home. Also too often, doing this leads to unintended consequences and higher attorneys&… Read More
Health care planning with Medical and Health icons on wooden block planning for health care concept.

How COVID-19 Might Change Your Health Care Planning and Directives

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we have been forced, as individuals, to assess our values and priorities along with our overall health. The COVID-19 clinical information relating to treatment options and likely outcomes based on pers… Read More
Update Your Estate Plan t…

Update Your Estate Plan to Cover Pandemics

The World Health Organization (WHO) gave name to the disease causing the novel coronavirus outbreak on February 11, 2020. The coronavirus disease of 2019 shortly after became known by its abbreviation, CO for corona, VI for virus, D for disease, and… Read More
Adult and child hands holding brain paper cut out

Four Estate Planning Steps to Take Right After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to start planning immediately. There are several essential documents to help you once you become incapacitated, but if you don’t already have them in place, you ne… Read More
Hands raised in the air

Do You Need to Name Alternate Beneficiaries?

What will happen to your estate if your primary beneficiary does not survive you? If your will does not name alternate beneficiaries, your estate will be divided according to state law. The way the state divides your estate may not agree with your wi… Read More
Categories: Wills
Roses in cemetery with people in the background. Funeral in cemetery; White roses in cemetery. Prayer at the tomb. Funeral ceremony. White roses at funeral near the grave.

Planning Your Funeral or Memorial Service

Thinking about your funeral may not be fun, but planning your funeral or your memorial service in advance can be exceedingly helpful for your family. It both lets them know your wishes and assists them during a stressful time. The following are steps… Read More
Categories: Burial Plans, Trusts, Wills
Crumpled paper at work desk

Are Handwritten Wills Valid?

Maybe it was Patti LaBelle who asked, “Hey Joe, you wanna give it a go?”* But it seems it was Aretha Franklin who has left even more compelling questions after her death regarding what will happen to her estate based on three separate handwritten… Read More
Categories: Probate, Wills