Darling & Wilson, PC Legal Blog
If your parents die in debt, do you have to pay?
When your parents passed away, you knew that they would have assets to leave you. You also knew that they had named you as the estate executor. You are the one who is in charge of gathering up those assets, reading the will, talking to the other family members and...
After a loved one’s passing, do not remove items from their home
Emotions run high after a loved one passes away, even if you knew for a long time that their passing was coming. You may want to return to their home, which could even be your childhood home, to collect sentimental items. You want something to remember them by and you...
Why it might be best to have nonrelatives as trustees
When setting up your estate plan, if it includes a trust, the trustee must manage the capital and handle the fund’s disbursements to your heirs. Naturally, you want to put someone in place whom you trust implicitly. It only makes sense that your first pick might be...
Are your nephews and nieces your heirs?
You don't have any children, but you and your spouse make a good living working in the tech industry. You decide to make an estate plan because you want to ensure that you have some say in what happens to your money and other assets if you were to pass away...
Is a Totten trust part of your estate plan?
There are many parts of estate plans, especially for people who have considerable assets. Some people may have a part of their estate plan already set without even knowing it. When you open a financial account, you might fill out a form that tells the institution who...
When should you update your estate plan?
Make no mistake, life changes. And these changes come in all shapes and forms. People come and go. Circumstances change, too. Just like life, your estate plan should also be something that changes over time. At the very basic, estate planning is the process of...
Why you may need to go beyond a will with your estate plans
Most people know that they need to write a will before they pass away. This is the basis of estate planning, and the will allows them to give their heirs and beneficiaries a plan for how the assets should be divided. A will is a good place to begin. However, you may...
When can family members remove the executor of an estate?
Many people have no desire to be the executor of an estate. The role demands a lot of time and effort, and family members may not envy the person delegated to taking on the task. When someone does step up to fill that role, family members often defer to them regarding...
Does estate administration require you to file a tax return?
Serving as the executor of someone's estate is a big responsibility. If you accept that role, there are certain obligations you must fulfill. You don't just need to collect and distribute the deceased person's property. You have to also resolve their personal matters...
Can you fire an employee over a social media post?
A lot of people (incorrectly) believe that the U.S. Constitutional guarantee that permits free speech equals a right to say anything they want -- online or off -- without consequences. While the government can’t tell people what they can say, you (as an...