The Law Offices of Neil J. Cacali Legal Blog
Could someone contest your will?
If someone is unhappy with the contents of your will, they may try to challenge it. Even if they do not proceed with a will contest, it can create considerable family problems which may last for decades. If they do file the challenge, it will delay the distribution of...
2 reasons why a trust should be part of your estate plan
Most people know what a will is and how they work – but trusts are still unfamiliar to many. Yet, trusts have become an increasingly valuable tool for estate planning. A trust, just like a will, allows you to distribute your assets to your designated beneficiaries...
Establishing guardianship for your minor children
No one wants to think about planning ahead for a time when they will no longer be here. However, it is necessary to do so in order to make sure that your wishes will be carried out exactly as you hoped. Creating an estate plan is important, especially for your...
3 things you should never put in a will
Your estate plan outlines your wishes to help provide for your loved ones after you pass away. Taking the time to set it up correctly is important so that your administrators can get your estate handled as quickly and efficiently as possible. There are a few things...
What everyone should know about trusts
Nearly everyone builds up some sort of assets during their lifetime. You even have some sort of an idea about how you want to divide your estate after you pass. The question is, “How can you ensure your family and friends get the inheritance you wish for them?” One...
Why you should have a will written right now
Having a will ensures that your assets are appropriately divided. Dying without a leaves your assets in the hands of the local court. You shouldn’t wait to write your will if you have assets you want family and friends to inherit. You might be making it harder for...
Do your loved ones really want your timeshare property?
Timeshare properties are often listed among the worst possible assets a person could inherit. If you’ve got a timeshare property that has brought you years of happy vacation memories, you may find this hard to believe. Who wouldn’t want to inherit a timeshare at a...
How to ensure that you get the funeral you want
One of the many advantages of estate planning is that it gives you the opportunity to detail your wishes for your burial or cremation and any ceremonies or celebrations of your life around it. As you do it, it’s wise to determine what this is going to cost and to put...
Who should you name as power of attorney?
While most people think of the estate plan as something that they’ll only need if they pass away, there are components that come into the picture if you become incapacitated. Two of these are the powers of attorney (POAs) for medical care and the one for finances. ...
Filing the final income tax returns of a decedent
One of your responsibilities as the executor of someone’s estate is to file their income taxes for the year they passed away. If they passed away before they filed their taxes for the prior year, those would be your responsibility as well. If you’re the executor and...