Probate Attorney Blog

Surviving summer camp wasn’t enough, so this week we decided to get a kitten! Technically, we decided a couple of months ago. Yesterday was the day we actually picked up our kitten and took him home. And no, since you’re wondering, we don’t have a name yet. One of our kids was out of town this weekend so we’re waiting for her to get back so we can hold a no hold barred naming ceremony (I don’t know what that…

I survived last week at sleep-away camp with my 5th grader despite several kids and parents leaving sick, then my own kid getting sick when we got back, and then me getting sick to round out the week! Even with all of that, though, I’d do it all over again. Maybe just once… but I would. 🙂 Okay, let’s talk about how to contest a Will. I haven’t talked about this topic in quite some time, and it’s something people…

If you couldn’t tell by the headline, this week, Monday through Wednesday, I’ll be off hanging out at Camp Seymour with my son and the rest of his fifth grade class (side note, this is part of the story but also a subtle FYI that I won’t be around M-W). We’ll be fishing, doing archery, swimming at the pool, in the reptile room, and doing all sorts of other outdoor camp activities. It should be fun. And it got me…

Happy Monday. Yes, I said Monday. We’re closed today for Labor Day, so I thought we’d bump this week’s blog out a day. It also got me thinking about what Labor Day actually is. We celebrate all of these holidays but don’t always know the history and/or meaning behind them. So today I’m going to make it easy for you. I did the research, and I’m going to tell you what I discovered. First, as the name suggests, Labor Day…

I thought today we’d lighten things up with a question from someone out there in the YouTube verse. This is a real question from a real person, with a real answer. Enjoy! I inherited a house with a mortgage. How do I get my name put on the mortgage so I can tap into the equity to repair the home? Great question. It’s easier than you think, though it doesn’t happen exactly the way you think. The first thing I…

If you have kids still going to school, this is a bittersweet time of the year as they head back for another year of learning and growth. Well, bittersweet for some I guess. Mostly just sweet for me. 🙂 I love my kids, but man am I ready to get back into that school time routine! No matter your feelings on the return, it is imminent, and that makes this a great time to remind all of you with kids…

First, let’s talk about what doesn’t matter with a trust (necessarily) – money. People often have trusts without a lot of assets, because they provide the functionality they need. Here are those three reasons: 1. Avoid probate. 2. Management and control of assets after death (minor children that you don’t want to get a huge check when they turn 18). 3. Estate tax strategy (this would be a situation where you’d want assets before employing this strategy). And, here’s a…