Estate planning might not be the first thing on your mind as a college student, but it’s an effort worth making. It can serve as an important step in clarifying your wishes, so that they will be respected should anything happen to you. While it’s easy to assume that...
Simple Wills
What mistakes should you avoid when making your will?
Wills are legally accepted documents that outline how a person's assets and affairs should be handled after their death. In Virginia, you can make your own will, should you wish, but it is important to avoid common mistakes to ensure it is valid and enforceable....
Why you should discuss your estate plan with your family
There is a misconception that we should keep our wills and other estate planning documents a secret from our family. This idea likely comes from movies and television. In reality, there are several good reasons to sit down with your loved ones and review all your...
Mirror wills versus mutual wills for couples: What to know
A lot of couples want very simple wills. They simply want their surviving spouse to inherit everything, and for their adult children to inherit whatever is left when the surviving spouse eventually passes. Two common options for couples in this situation are mirror...
What are the duties of an executor?
It's an honor if someone wishes to name you the executor of their estate after they die. That person considers you responsible and trustworthy. Still, you should take some time to think and determine if this is a role you wish to take on. The role and responsibilities...
Some things are better to address outside of your will
While a will is a cornerstone of estate planning, it is not all-encompassing. Certain things are best left out of a will to help ensure a smooth and efficient distribution of your assets. Here are several things that can be more easily addressed with other estate...
Why might someone challenge a will?
A will details how an estate should be disbursed according to the testator’s last wishes. The estate is distributed during the probate process, which happens after the executor submits the will to the probate court. The probate process can take several months to a...
Where should you store your will?
Writing a will is a huge step in planning for the future. It ensures that people who care about you will carry out your wishes regarding your assets and belongings after you die. However, simply creating a will is only the first step to securing your assets. Here are...
Why you should mention sentimental items in your will
Some people will leave sentimental items out of their will. These are items where the emotional value is greater than the financial value. For example, these could include book collections, trinkets from around the house, home furnishings, artwork and other things of...
2 things you should know about drafting a simple will
A simple will is a legal document that details an individual's wishes regarding the allocation of their assets and, usually, appoints an executor to carry out these instructions. This straightforward yet powerful legal instrument provides clarity and helps ensures...
