3 Ways To Initiate “The Conversation” About Estate Planning
It’s hard to even think about what would happen to your family if something happened to you. While it’s a difficult thing to think about, one of the most important and loving things that we can do for our loved ones is to think about this reality and plan in advance. Most people have difficulty initiating this important conversation with those that they love, but here are some ideas on getting this important dialogue going: 1.) Make sure your loved one understands what’s at
If I Were Shawty Lo’s Estate Planning Attorney…
Photo Credit: Vibe Atlanta rapper, Carlos Walker a.k.a. Shawty Lo, passed away unexpectedly last month in a fatal car accident at the age of 40. As an estate planning attorney, I immediately thought about his eleven children. What plans were put in place by Walker to ensure his children were cared for in case something happened to him? It was no secret that he cared for his children during his life, but I immediately considered the estate plan that Shawty Lo might have pu
Get Your Power of Attorney in Place BEFORE You Need it!
One of the reasons why I became interested in estate planning was personally experiencing the huge impact of not having a proper estate plan and how it affects your loved ones. For me and my family, we were not dealing with the passing of a loved one, but when a family member was no longer capable of managing her own financial affairs, we needed a power of attorney. But it was too late to get something in place at the time we needed it because she no longer had the mental c
Who Inherits When You Die WITHOUT a Will in the State of Georgia?
As an estate planning attorney, I want to make sure clients are very clear on the consequences of not having a plan in place. Most people assume that things will work out and that their assets will automatically go to the people they would choose. But unfortunately, most people assume WRONG! In the state of Georgia, if you die without a will, there are laws called “intestacy” laws that will determine who inherits your property. If you died without leaving written instructi
4 Things to Do Now if You've Recently Lost a Loved One
Losing a loved one is extremely difficult. Attempting to manage the financial affairs after the passing of a loved one can be stressful and confusing. If you’ve recently lost someone that you love, it’s important to move fast to preserve their estate. Here are four steps that you can take now:
1.) Take Control of Your Loved One's Social Media Account: If your loved one had a Facebook account and you were designated as the legacy contact, take some time to manage their a
