When establishing a revocable living trust, you likely named yourself as the initial trustee to manage your own financial affairs. However, a successor trustee will eventually need to take over when you can no longer manage your trust due to incapacity or after your death. Choosing the right succ...
Selecting the right initial trustee is a crucial decision when setting up your trust. If you're creating a revocable living trust, you will likely serve as the initial trustee. However, it's important to choose successor trustees who can take over when you're no longer able to manage the trust. T...
Choosing the right guardian and trustee for your minor child is one of the most important decisions in your estate planning process. These roles involve caring for your child's well-being and managing their financial inheritance, making it crucial to understand the differences and the qualificati...
When planning your estate, selecting a trustee, executor, and agent under a power of attorney is a critical step. These individuals are fiduciaries, meaning they are legally obligated to act in your best interest and the best interests of your beneficiaries. Whether you are drafting a will or est...
Your estate plan likely includes powers of attorney for medical and financial matters, ensuring someone can act on your behalf when needed. But have you considered what happens to your minor children when you're out of town? A comprehensive estate plan should not only protect you but also your c...
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy—every adult should have a plan in place. Yet, most Americans do not. One of the main reasons for this is the perceived cost of creating an estate plan. Unfortunately, the financial consequences of not having a plan can be much greater than the upfront co...
Thinking about creating a simple estate plan on your own? While it might seem easy, estate planning is more complex than it appears. Laws vary significantly from state to state, and they frequently change, making it difficult to ensure everything is done correctly. Even a minor mistake—such as a ...
Many people choose to set up joint ownership for bank accounts or real estate, especially with rights of survivorship, as a way to avoid probate. It seems like a simple, convenient way to ensure that the surviving joint owner (usually a spouse or family member) automatically inherits the property...
Many people assume that if they die while married, their spouse and children will automatically inherit everything. However, this belief is rooted in state laws that apply when someone dies without a will—referred to as dying "intestate." In this situation, inheritance is determined by state-spec...
Creating a comprehensive estate plan is essential to ensure that all your assets—both tangible and intangible—are properly accounted for. However, even the most meticulous planning can leave some assets unassigned, resulting in what is known as a residuary estate. This estate, which can include v...
The relationship between spouses is significant, especially in estate planning. While you can exclude certain family members like parents, siblings, and adult children from your estate plan, excluding a spouse is not as straightforward. Legal protections exist to prevent a spouse from being disin...
August is National Black Business Month, a time to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses across the nation. At The Robinson Advocacy Group, we recognize the critical role that entrepreneurs play in driving economic growth and fostering innovation within our communities. As a business law a...
The Challenge of Loving Someone with an Addiction Loving someone with an addiction is incredibly challenging. It's especially tough for parents to watch their children, whom they once had high hopes for, struggle with substance abuse. Regardless of the circumstances, relationship, or age, having...
Why Estate Planning Matters Thinking about the future and how our loved ones will fare after we pass away can be challenging. While it's natural to avoid these thoughts, proactively planning and prioritizing your goals can help create an estate plan that ensures your wishes are fulfilled. The fi...
Estate Planning Trends and Why It Matters In 2024, less than one-third of Americans report having a will. Every adult—whether 19 or 99—should have at least a will, and many can benefit from additional estate planning documents such as trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives. However, ...
Moving away from home marks a significant milestone in adulthood. It's an exciting but overwhelming time, with responsibilities like securing housing, buying insurance, signing up for utilities, and managing finances. Amidst these changes, it's crucial to have your legal affairs in order, includi...
Millennials, your contributions to the workforce and positive changes in the world are significant. Your concerns and priorities may differ from those of previous generations, making it crucial to have an estate plan that reflects your unique needs and goals. Here are key steps to ensure your est...
Having an estate plan is a great way to ensure you and your loved ones are protected today and in the future. When creating an estate plan, we look at what is going on in your life at that time. But because life is full of changes, it is important to make sure your plan can change to accommodate ...
When a loved one passes away due to another's actions, it often leads to two distinct legal proceedings: a wrongful death lawsuit and probate. Both are civil legal matters but serve different purposes. This post aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of wrongful death and probate, how they...
Running a company involves daily demands that often leave little time for contemplating the future. While strategic agility allows for quick responses to external changes, it's crucial to set baseline goals and establish a roadmap for the next quarter, year, and beyond. Small business owners und...
Introduction to SECURE 2.0 and Its Impact on Saving for Retirement The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 and the subsequent SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, introduced significant reforms aimed at bolstering Ameri...
Understanding Wills vs. Living Trusts in Estate Planning Wills and living trusts are pivotal in estate planning, directing the distribution of assets post-mortem. However, a revocable living trust, often simply termed as a living trust or inter vivos trust, stands out by offering enhanced flexib...
Exploring the Trend of Adult Children Living at Home Today, more young adults are living at home with their parents than at any time since the 1940s. The rise in young adults residing at home is primarily attributed to financial reasons. This demographic shift has sparked various opinions and di...
As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency in life. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury, or chronic medical condition can force you to reevalua...