Las Vegas Estate Planning Law Blog

Estate planning options for the various phases of life

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Sunday, April 5, 2020.

All individuals may have their own preferences as to what they want from life and these predilections may even change or evolve while passing through the various stages of life. While there are a variety of estate planning options that can prove beneficial during each stage, some people might not feel it is time to begin the process. By seeking guidance on what an estate plan can offer to individuals of virtually any age, a person in Nevada may be less hesitant about taking the next step and developing a plan for the future.

Many experts suggest that the best time to begin planning for the future is now. No one can know what the future will hold and planning for all possible scenarios may be the best way to prepare for the unknown. As such, even those who only recently entered the realm of adulthood could benefit from exploring options such creating a will or implementing health care and financial powers of attorney.

Forming a strategy for the beginning stages of estate planning

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Sunday, April 5, 2020.

Many individuals may have an idea of what they want from the future, but they might not be certain how to set a plan in motion to ensure their wishes come to fruition. Although one may be able to cover a variety of essential topics by creating an estate plan, with a multitude of options to consider, the process could seem intimidating. Individuals in Nevada who wish to explore their available estate planning options and create a strategy to protect their interests could benefit from developing a guideline for the beginning stages of the process.

When it comes to planning for what comes next, individuals may find it helpful to start by thinking about what they want from the future and considering the possibilities. Evaluating the potential scenarios one could encounter in life could be essential to forming a plan that covers every possible outcome. While aspects such as the concept of an untimely passing can be difficult to consider, having a plan in place for the possibility could prove imperative.

Do you know which assets are subject to probate?

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

Probating an estate is often hard work. You may not want to make the process any more difficult on your surviving loved ones than necessary when the time comes to probate your estate. As a result, you want your estate plan to be as effective as possible in helping the process go smoothly.

You may not feel the need to avoid probate entirely, but shortening the process or making it less complicated may be a goal of yours. If so, you may want to start the journey toward reaching that goal by understanding the assets that will likely have to go through probate after your passing.

Updating estate planning goals after becoming a parent

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Sunday, March 29, 2020.

While becoming a parent can be a joyous occasion, it also comes with a significant level of responsibility. Prospective or new parents in Nevada may feel it vital to take every precaution to protect the well-being and futures of their children, but they might not be certain how to go about achieving this goal. There could be a variety of benefits to addressing one's new parental status and making changes to one's estate planning goals accordingly.

While new parents may be caught up in enjoying the moment, the experience could also prompt a desire to make plans for the future. Updating beneficiary information to include the kids may help reflect one's current wishes and provide peace of mind. Parents who wish to provide for their children in the future could also benefit from exploring options such as creating a trust.

Addressing the necessary estate planning topics

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Sunday, March 29, 2020.

Many individuals may consider having a plan for the future to be essential, but they might not be sure what topics such a plan should cover. With a variety of possible topics to address and potential scenarios to consider, the estate planning process may even seem somewhat intimidating at times. By seeking guidance in addressing all the necessary topics, individuals in Nevada may find themselves better prepared to handle whatever life may bring.

According to experts, the first step in preparing for the future involves implementing a strategy for life ahead. However, simply having an estate plan might not always be enough, as a basic strategy might not cover every possible scenario. For instance, including plans for the possibility of incapacitation or the need for long-term care could be vital, as one may never know what the future might hold.

Knowing when to update estate planning documents

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Upon experiencing a change in life circumstances, it might not be uncommon for a person's preferences and interests to change as well. Those who encounter such a scenario may feel it vital to take the necessary steps to ensure their plans for the future align with their newfound interests. One step that could help a person in Nevada achieve such a goal could include revisiting current estate planning documents and updating information as necessary, but some might be uncertain of what types of changes may prompt such a need.

There may be a multitude of scenarios in which it might be necessary to make changes to one's plans for the future. As the rules and regulations that govern the estate planning process may vary in each state, those who relocate to a new area may find it advisable to revisit their current plans. Changes to assets and liabilities could also prompt a need to review estate planning documents and make the necessary modifications.

Misconceptions about the estate planning process

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Many individuals in Nevada and across the nation may feel that having a strategy in place for the future is an essential part of life. However, there are a variety of misconceptions about the estate planning process that could leave a person feeling somewhat hesitant about implementing such a strategy. Seeking advice in debunking the most common estate planning myths could help a person become better prepared to safeguard his or her interests.

According to experts, one of the most common misconceptions about estate planning pertains to the idea that such a process only benefits the wealthy. However, there are a variety of available estate planning options, some of which may have little to do with one's financial status. For instance, such a plan could help a person choose someone to act as guardian of his or her children in the event of an untimely death or help determine what type of medical care will be provided should a person become incapacitated.

What should you consider when choosing a trustee?

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

When working on your estate plan, you may have decided that using trusts would help you protect assets and achieve other goals you have for your estate and family's future. Making this decision may bring about some peace of mind because you know that the assets will pass directly to your intended beneficiaries and stay out of reach of creditors and other claimants.

Of course, after your passing, you will need someone to take over the management of the trust. Choosing a trustee is not a decision that you should take lightly because a lot of work and responsibility can go into the job. As a result, you may want to give the appointment a lot of thought before coming to a final decision.

The first steps of the estate planning process

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

When considering what legal and financial protections may be useful for the future, it is not always easy to know where to start. Each individual's needs and objectives are different, and this means each estate plan should be different as well. There are some life events that should trigger the estate planning process or lead to changes in an existing plan.

Thinking about the future can be emotional and confusing. No Nevada adult wants to consider his or her own death, but it is prudent to set aside this sense of discomfort and think about the good of loved ones and beneficiaries. Life events that may motivate someone to do this include the birth of a child, divorce, marriage, a significant increase in net worth, starting a new business and changes in tax laws. These are also reasons that updates and changes to existing plans may be necessary.

The earlier estate planning happens, the better

On behalf of Cassady Law Offices, P.C. posted in Probate and Estate Administration on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Many in Nevada are reluctant to think about what will happen after they pass away. Someone who is young and healthy may not think it's necessary to have plans and protections in place for the future, but in reality, estate planning should be done as soon as possible. Life is unpredictable and having a plan can reduce the chance of causing complications for loved ones in the future. It can also allow an individual to have a say over his or her own health care in case of incapacitation.

The assets of anyone who passes away without a will are distributed according to state law. Intestacy laws don't consider what the deceased may have wanted, the wishes of loves ones or even what would be best for beneficiaries. This only one of the many reasons why it is useful to have an estate plan in place. Through a will, an individual will have the right to say what happens to his or her property and money.