Posts by Susan Sandys
What Do I Need for a Will: Preparation Checklist
So, you’ve decided to establish your will? That is a great step towards peace of mind for your future and your loved ones! There are many things to consider when deciding what to include in your will, as it serves to secure your legacy and protect your family. To help you prepare for a consultation…
Read More5 Benefits of a Trust
A living trust, also known as a “revocable trust,” is an estate planning document that offers myriad benefits to its creator. These benefits can apply both during their lifetime as well as upon their passing. This type of trust provides more protection for an individual and their estate than a will can provide. A living…
Read MoreHow to Know When to Update Your Will
Establishing your estate plan is a significant step in securing your legacy. However, once you have set up your documents, you still need to take time to review them. It is a good idea to do this annually, as many life events can provide reasons to update your will. Familial or Relationship Changes You Become…
Read MoreMake the Break: Leaving Someone Out of a Will
There are many reasons why an individual may want to disinherit children or family members in their estate plan ranging from personal to pragmatic. While sometimes leaving an individual out of a will is simple, there are other cases where legal assistance is required. Below, we will uncover some of the most common situations where…
Read MoreManaging Assets: Essential Estate Planning Documents
Our legal system is upheld by a seemingly endless supply of “important documents.” Bank account information, life insurance policies, titles, deeds— all of these essential documents are how we prove what belongs to whom. They also are the foundation of knowing how to disburse your assets even after you pass away. In estate planning, there…
Read MoreYours, Mine, Ours: Estate Planning For Blended Families
As it is, estate planning is a complicated process for many individuals. Many underestimate the emotional weight and financial nuances of such preparations, whether they are working with an attorney or going the DIY route (which we never recommend.) When you live in a blended family, these problems are only magnified. It is no longer…
Read MoreTypes of Benefits for People With Disabilities
Our world is built for neurotypical, able individuals. As such, those with new or persistent disability can quickly become overwhelmed by the various disability programs, their barrage of eligibility requirements, and the paperwork needed to get a disability record on file. As a lawyer, I wanted to put together a list of the various benefits…
Read MoreSigns of Undue Influence: Protecting Last Wishes
Planning a will is a sensitive and important moment in the lives of many individuals and families. Through estate planning, important wishes are solidified in writing including monetary disbursements, property decisions, and even financial plans for dependent and disabled family members. However, when our loved ones age, the risk of their wishes getting manipulated increases…
Read MoreUnderstanding Elder Abuse and Undue Influence
Protections for an Aging Population As an estate planning attorney, I help families write out their end of life wishes on a daily basis. While these procedures are generally less complicated than people imagine, there are always precautions that lawyers and families must take to ensure that the estate documents reflect the actual desire of…
Read MoreEstate Planning Basics: What You Need to Know
When talking about estate planning, many individuals don’t understand how it is relevant to their lives. Because of a misunderstanding about the different challenges estate planning manages, it gained the reputation of something only the wealthy and elderly need. For most of us, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Estate plans include many different…
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