Last Will and Testament
We strive to make the process of estate planning and estate administration as simple and straightforward as possible. At American Wills and Estates we speak to our clients in plain English, and we are sensitive to the fact that many of our clients are still grieving the loss of a loved one. Our number one goal is to put our clients at ease and to reassure them with competency and compassion in their times of need.
Why Choosing the Right Executor is so Important
Here's an interesting article that I came across that does a nice job of explaining why choosing the right Executor to handle the administration of your estate is so important. Picking the right person can go along way towards avoid a lot of headaches and problems for your heirs after your death. Remember, not having any estate plan at all is still the biggest estate... Read More
Should You Have a No-Contest Clause in Your Last Will and Testament?
If you're concerned that one or more of your children or other intended heirs might try to challenge the provisions that you have set forth in your Last Will and Testament, you can have a no-contest clause added in the Will, but make sure you understand what it means and whether or not it's actually enforceable. Here's an article that I came across that does a nice job of... Read More
Probate Doesn't Have To Be Scary
NO NEED TO BE AFRAID OF PROBATE
You’ve probably heard people say a million times: It’s best to keep your family’s assets out of probate. While I agree that’s it’s often a good idea to limit or minimize the effect that the probate estate administration process may have on your assets after your death, it’s still important to keep in mind that in many states probate... Read More
Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes
JAMES GANDOLFINI died on 6/13/2013 in Rome as the result of a Heart Attack.
ESTATE MISTAKE:
Tony Soprano might have been a wise guy, but the actor who played him might not have been too smart for not putting his estate into a trust. He left only 20 percent of his estate to his wife, who had an unlimited deduction as his spouse. So 80 percent of his $70 million... Read More
Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes
PAUL W. WALKER, IV
AGE: 40
DIED: 11/30/2013; Valencia, CA; Car Crash
ESTATE MISTAKE:
The "Fast & Furious" actor used a pour-over will to funnel his $25 million estate into a trust for his 15-year-old daughter. This arrangement makes the estate a public affair. He also failed to update his plan for 12 years, so it might not have represented... Read More
