Your estate plan can do much more for you than simply ensure your estate assets are distributed according to your wishes after you are gone. In fact, a well thought out and properly drafted estate plan can also go a long way toward protecting you and your assets while you are alive. Furthermore, it can provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your wishes regarding end-of-life medical treatment will also be honored using advance directives. The Essex Junction estate planning … [Read more...] about Why Do I Need an Advance Directive?
BLOG
Is It Time to Update Your Beneficiaries?
Taking the time to create an estate plan is only the first step toward protecting everyone and everything that is important to you. You must also update your plan for it to be successful and work as intended. One thing people often forget is to review and revise are the beneficiary designations within their estate plan. To keep you from making that mistake, the Essex Junction estate planning attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC explain when and why you need to update your beneficiary … [Read more...] about Is It Time to Update Your Beneficiaries?
What Assets Avoid Probate?
When you think about estate planning, you likely focus on creating a plan that distributes your estate assets when you are gone. Although that may remain your primary estate planning goal, you will probably also include additional, related goals as your estate plan grows. One of those goals may be probate avoidance. Avoiding probate entirely may be impossible; however, with some careful planning you dramatically reduce the amount of time and money spent on the probate of your estate. Toward that … [Read more...] about What Assets Avoid Probate?
How Does Vermont Rank for Retirees?
While saving money during your working years is certainly an important aspect of retirement planning, it should not be your entire plan. Living comfortably when the time comes to retire will require more than just a hefty bank account. Another important consideration is where to live when you retire. Not only will your choice of retirement location directly impact your finances, but it is also likely to impact your quality of life as a retiree. Each year, WalletHub ranks the states for … [Read more...] about How Does Vermont Rank for Retirees?
Practical Retirement Planning Tips
Ideally, both estate planning and retirement planning should begin as soon as you enter the adult work world. Throughout your life, those two plans may remain separate but intertwined. The closer you get to retiring, the more those two plans will necessarily merge. For now, however, the Essex Junction estate planning attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC offer some practical retirement planning tips. Tips To Make Retirement Easier and More Financially Secure The idea of retirement may seem … [Read more...] about Practical Retirement Planning Tips
Questions to Ask Yourself When Creating a Trust
While most estate plans begin with executing a Last Will and Testament, a trust agreement is often a popular addition once a basic estate plan is established. Establishing a trust should always be accomplish with the guidance and assistance of an experienced trust attorney; however, if you are contemplating the addition of a trust to your estate plan, the Essex Junction trust attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC offer some questions to ask yourself when creating a trust. What is your trust … [Read more...] about Questions to Ask Yourself When Creating a Trust
What Estate of Marion Levine Means for Life Insurance
Life insurance has long been part of Estate Plans, whether used to ensure liquidity for the estate on the death of the insured, or simply as income replacement on the death of the insured. Understanding the impact of life insurance on an estate plan has become critically important. A recent tax court case resulted in a big win for the taxpayer in a complex set of facts which could impact how you incorporate life insurance for your Estate Planning clients. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about What Estate of Marion Levine Means for Life Insurance
Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself
It’s tempting to think that by taking the time to hand-write your Will or preparing a do-it-yourself plan, you can avoid many of the issues that arise with a Will. In fact, the opposite may be true. By handwriting your Will or preparing a do-it-yourself plan, you may be creating more issues for your family. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself
What Should Be Included in My Estate Plan?
When you think of an “estate plan” you likely think first of executing a Last Will and Testament. For many, a Will is the foundation of their estate plan. For some, a Will may be their entire estate plan. A comprehensive estate plan, however, may include other components in addition to, or even in lieu of, a Last Will and Testament. The Essex Junction estate planning attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC explain some of the more common estate planning components. Estate Planning Goals and … [Read more...] about What Should Be Included in My Estate Plan?
How to Protect Your Business in Your Estate Plan
For many people, owning their own business is very much a part of the American dream. If you are one of those people, and you have achieved that dream, you undoubtedly worked hard to make your dream a reality. Do not make the mistake of seeing your hard work go down the proverbial drain at the end of your life because you failed to include your business in your estate plan. To help ensure that does not happen, the Essex Junction Estate Planning attorneys at Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC discuss how to … [Read more...] about How to Protect Your Business in Your Estate Plan
