The death of a parent is not easy to handle, no matter how old you are when it happens. If your father recently passed away, you are undoubtedly still grieving the loss. Finding out that your father executed a last minute “death bed” Will has you wondering if you can contest that Will. An Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft discusses the legality of a death bed Will and what you would need to prove to successfully contest that Will. The “Death Bed” Will Any competent … [Read more...]
About Paul A. Kraft, Estate Planning Attorney
Are You Cohabitating? If So, Estate Planning Is Essential
According to the Pew Research Center, there are close to 20 million cohabitating adults in the United States as of 2019. A growing number of those are people over the age of 50. In fact, the number of cohabitating couples over age 50 grew 75 percent in just ten years. An Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains why estate planning is essential for cohabitating couples. The Changing Times Not all that long ago it was almost unheard of for two unmarried people of the … [Read more...]
What Legal Steps Must Be Taken after a Loved One Dies?
When a loved one passes away, we typically focus on the emotional impact of that loss during the immediate aftermath. Someone, however, must also focus on the legal steps that need to be taken following a death. If that person is you, and you have never before been in this position, you likely don’t know where to begin. A Carmel Probate attorney at Frank & Kraft explains some of the most common legal steps that must be taken following the death of a loved one. Who Is in Charge? Often, the … [Read more...]
Digital Assets – Are They Included in Your Estate Plan?
Just about everything you do leaves a digital trail anymore. Moreover, almost everything important to us can be stored in some type of electronic format. What happens to that digital trail and those electronic files when you die? Do you want someone to be able to access them? Conversely, do you want to ensure that no one can access them? Can anyone access those accounts without your permission after your death? A Carmel estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains why it is important … [Read more...]
How Do I Know If I Need to Probate My Mother’s Estate?
If your mother recently passed away, you are undoubtedly mourning her loss. The last thing you probably want to focus on is probating her estate. Someone, however, needs to do so. If it appears as though you are the one who will need to take control of the administration of your mother’s estate, one of the first decisions you need to make is to decide whether formal probate is necessary. It is always best to consult with an experienced probate attorney when making such an important decision. In … [Read more...]
Choosing a Caregiver for Your Parent
For an adult child, watching a parent age can be very difficult. Somehow we expect that our parents will be forever middle aged. It can become even more difficult if a parent starts to show signs of physical and/or mental deterioration that often goes along with the natural aging process. If that is where you are with your parent, it may be time to find a caregiver for your parent. If so, an Indianapolis elder law attorney at Frank & Kraft offers some suggestions that may help you find the … [Read more...]
Senior Sexual Abuse — It Happens More Often Than You May Realize
The population of older Americans has increased dramatically in recent years, due in large part to the fact that the Baby Boomer generation is reaching retirement age. With seniors now accounting for such a large segment of the population, issues that concern them have taken on a heightened importance. Sadly, this includes the prevalence of elder abuse in its many forms. While we are paying more attention to abuse and neglect of the elderly, one type of elder abuse remains somewhat of a taboo … [Read more...]
How Might Guardianship Benefit Your Aging Parent?
If you are the adult child of an aging parent, watching your parent succumb to the physical and/or mental deterioration that accompanies the aging process can be extremely difficult. Making the decision to seek guardianship over your parent can be a heart-wrenching decision because it often feels as though you are taking away a parent’s independence. As an Indianapolis guardianship attorney at Frank & Kraft explains, it helps to recognize how your aging parent might actually benefit from … [Read more...]
What Are the Powers of the Executor of the Will?
Probate is a legal process that the average person knows very little about unless they have been through the process following the death of a loved one. If the decedent left behind a Last Will and Testament, the person in charge of overseeing the probate of the estate is the person named as Executor in that Will. If you find yourself named as the Executor of an estate, you may wonder what powers you have. To help you better understand what you can, and cannot do, a Carmel probate attorney at … [Read more...]
What Is a Funeral Trust?
Funeral planning may not be the first thing you think about when you contemplate your estate plan; however, it is something that you should consider including. If you do decide to incorporate a funeral planning component in your estate plan you may choose to create a funeral trust. For those who are not familiar with them, the Carmel estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft explain how a funeral trust works. Why Is Funeral Planning Important? Thinking of your death and funeral in terms … [Read more...]
