Category: Inheritance

Can You Contest a Will? Unlucky 13

The other day, a client asked my advice about challenging a will. Her relative, let’s say it was an Uncle Fernando, had died 3 years ago without a spouse or children. Fernando had told everyone what was in his will: “I’m going to divide things equally among…
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Elder Abuse Is Real

By meeting privately, Alex’s lawyer can also investigate if there has been any financial, emotional or physical abuse of the father. Alex may be reluctant to discuss such matters with a relative in the room. For the elderly, a visit to a lawyer can make a difference….
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Not Everyone Can Make a Will

Lawyers have a duty to assess Jeremy’s father’s competency to make a will.  This is a legal and ethical responsibility that lawyers have, especially in dealing with the elderly. Lawyers must be prepared to testify in court, if necessary, to defend the wills they prepare. This means…
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Estate Planning Questions Lawyers Ask In Private

Most lawyers will explain to Alex, Jeremy’s father, why his son must wait in reception. Alex’s lawyer must meet with Alex alone so all information remains confidential. Alex must be free to ask questions about his intentions and options without anyone else in the room. The lawyer…
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Helping Your Parents Make a Will

“It’s important.” Jeremy said to his boss. “I need to take the afternoon off to take my 83-year-old father to see a lawyer to make his will.” When you take a person to a lawyer’s office, you need to understand the legal protocol. Even if you are…
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Your Estate Planning To-Do List

Get tips for your own estate planning to-do list this Sunday, June 5, 2011, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. EST. Tune in to Zoomer Radio AM 740. Join me on Right on the Money with host, Wayne Baxter, CFP, of Investment Planning Counsel. We will discuss what…
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Tips on Growing Your Estate

Listen in this-coming Sunday. Tune in to Zoomer Radio AM740 on Sunday, May 8, 2011, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. EST and join me, on Right on the Money with host, Wayne Baxter, CFP, of Investment Planning Counsel. I will discuss basic tips and tricks on growing…
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Common-law Spouses – Unjustly Enriched?

Let me describe what the Kerr v Baranow case means for common-law spouses. Common-law spouses do not get property rights unless they make a claim, or are provided for adequately in an estate plan. Common-law spouses must sue their partners’ estate and make a claim for unjust…
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Does Your Will Provide for Your Common-law Spouse?

Did your will give any property or support to your common-law spouse? You can expect lawyers to challenge your estate plan if that amount is inadequate. That’s the point I made during a recent call-in program on Wayne Baxter’s Right On the Money show for Zoomer radio,…
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