What happens if I die without making a will?
For one reason or another, many people never get around to making a will. If this happens, the state takes over distribution of property in a process called intestate succession. The point of this is to pass on assets in a way the average person would. Each state has...
How the cy pres doctrine affects charitable trusts
A charitable trust is a special kind of trust that allows you to donate significant funds to a charity without diminishing your estate. Not only does the charity receive the benefits of the trust, but you and your heirs also receive significant tax benefits. You, as...
What is a holographic will?
Second only to seeing that a testator's wishes are followed upon his or her death, perhaps the second-most essential aspect of a will is to ensure that it is enforceable and can survive a legal challenge. This second consideration underlies the requirement under...
A spendthrift trust can protect your family if properly written
We all have them in our families: give them $100 and they spend $110 within an hour after you give it to them, usually on some extravagance that they don’t really need. One word for this type of person is spendthrift. And, whether a spouse or a child or other...
What are digital assets and why are they important to my heirs?
So you are filling out a questionnaire to start thinking about your estate plan and you see a question asking you to list your "digital assets." What are those? I have a digital clock and my computer has digital data. Is that what it means? The latter is closer...
What are grounds to challenge a will in Nevada?
In the majority of cases wills are either not challenged upon execution, or the challenge is difficult to prevail upon. This is by design, as the legal presumption is that the will is the expression of the now-deceased testator who cannot be present to rebut claims...
The importance of hiring an attorney to help plan your estate
Many people in Nevada are under the false impression that do-it-yourself estate planning kits cost less than working with an attorney. Not only can the prices of these kits be more expensive or comparable to an attorney's fees, creating estate planning documents on...
Understanding the need to update an estate plan
Las Vegas residents who have not updated their estate plan may wish to know why their plan may have issues now. Due to changes in the law, lacking a current estate plan could lead to higher estate taxes and other legal issues. In the time that passes since creating an...
The importance of a special needs trust
Nevada residents may wish to know about a specific issue that many parents face when leaving assets to their children. When the parent has a disabled child, care needs to be taken in estate planning to avoid unforeseen consequences. Disabled Americans are often...