No one enjoys thinking about the reality of their own eventual death; however, it is just that – a reality. What can be even harder sometimes is thinking about how your loved ones, specifically your children, will handle your death. Even if they are grown adults well into middle age or beyond, your death will have an emotional impact on your children. In addition, they will likely be responsible for handling your affairs after you pass away. To make that easier for them, an Indianapolis attorney … [Read more...] about How to Make Things Easier for Your Children After Your Death
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Estate Planning for Single Parents
Every adult can benefit from having a comprehensive estate plan in place. If you are a single parent, however, estate planning is even more important to ensure that your child is protected and provided for if something happens to you. To help you get started, the Indianapolis attorneys at Frank & Kraft discuss estate planning for single parents. Why Do I Need an Estate Plan If I Am a Single Parent? Whether by circumstance or choice, being a single parent can be difficult, yet nothing … [Read more...] about Estate Planning for Single Parents
Why Might My Executor Have to Sell Some of My Estate Assets?
Probate is the name of the legal process that is required to administer your estate after you pass away. One of the best reasons to have at least a basic estate plan in place is to ensure that your assets will be handled how you want them to be handled during the probate of your estate. Sometimes, however, it becomes necessary to sell estate assets during probate even if your wishes included passing those assets down to a loved one. To decrease the likelihood of it happening to your estate, an … [Read more...] about Why Might My Executor Have to Sell Some of My Estate Assets?
Estate Plan Review Checklist
If you already have an estate plan in place, you are ahead of the majority of Americans. You also likely understand the importance of estate planning and realize the gift you are giving yourself and your family. Your estate plan, however, can only work as intended if it reflects your current needs, wishes, and goals. That means you need to review and update your plan from time to time. Toward that end, the Indianapolis attorneys at Frank & Kraft offer an estate plan review checklist to help … [Read more...] about Estate Plan Review Checklist
Estate Planning for Military Personnel
Every adult can benefit from having an estate plan in place, but estate planning is even more important for both active and retired military personnel. Along with the heightened risk of death or incapacity you face as a member of the military, you are also entitled to several unique financial benefits that should be included in your estate plan. With that in mind, the Indianapolis attorneys at Frank & Kraft discuss estate planning for military personnel. Basic Estate Plan … [Read more...] about Estate Planning for Military Personnel
Talking to Your Parents about Their Estate Plans: Questions to Ask
For an adult child with aging parents, it can be difficult to broach the subject of estate planning; however, it is also important to do so. A thorough estate plan will not just direct the distribution of assets after your parents pass away but can also protect those assets while they are still alive and ensure that their wishes are honored if they become incapacitated. While it is not necessary for you to know all the details of their estate plans, it is important for you to make sure that they … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Parents about Their Estate Plans: Questions to Ask
Should My Indiana Estate Plan Include a Life Estate?
A comprehensive estate plan aims to accomplish numerous goals that go above and beyond just distributing the creator’s estate assets after he/she is gone. Protecting assets, both during life and after death, should be one of those additional goals. The way in which you hold legal title to real property can directly impact your ability to achieve that goal. With that in mind, an Indianapolis attorney at Frank & Kraft discusses whether you should include a life estate in your Indiana estate … [Read more...] about Should My Indiana Estate Plan Include a Life Estate?
Indiana Trust Administration Tips for the Trustee
A trust agreement is often included in a comprehensive estate plan. When a trust is established, the individual responsible for its creation (the “Settlor”) must designate a Trustee. The primary responsibilities of a Trustee include managing the trust assets and administering the trust using the terms found in the trust agreement. If you recently discovered that you were chosen to be the Trustee of a trust, the idea of taking on this role may seem a little overwhelming. While there is no … [Read more...] about Indiana Trust Administration Tips for the Trustee
Getting a Loved One into a Nursing Home: Petitioning for Guardianship in Indiana
Watching an elderly loved one succumb to Alzheimer’s, or even to the natural physical and mental deterioration that comes with aging, can be extremely difficult. Family members often become caregivers to allow the loved one to remain in his/her home; however, there may come a time when an elderly loved one needs the type of care that can only be provided in a nursing home. What can you do though if your loved one resists the move? An Indianapolis attorney at Frank & Kraft discusses getting a … [Read more...] about Getting a Loved One into a Nursing Home: Petitioning for Guardianship in Indiana
Can I Disinherit My Spouse in Indiana?
One of the primary motivations for creating an estate plan is the knowledge that you will be able to decide who inherits from your estate. For most married couples, estate planning entails figuring out how to ensure that the surviving spouse does receive the assets of a deceased spouse. But what if you do not want your spouse to inherit from your estate? The Indianapolis attorneys at Frank & Kraft discuss whether you can disinherit your spouse in Indiana. Estate Planning Benefits: Control … [Read more...] about Can I Disinherit My Spouse in Indiana?
