Tag Archives: Attorney

Estate Planning: Preparing a Will, Hudson Wisconsin

Need Help Making out a Will? Preparing your Will is Important Business.

Elderly Lady Planning a WillAs an Estate Planning Lawyer, I often meet new clients who tell me that they’ve been putting off having their will prepared for several years. It’s certainly an easy thing to postpone. When we’re younger we often feel invincible – as if we’ll live forever. We don’t think about preparing a Last Will and Testament until we’re prompted by a certain event in our life such as a death in the family, a medical crisis, or even taking a long-distance vacation. But it’s never to soon to be prepared – every adult should be thinking about their estate plan. And drafting a will should not be taken lightly, it’s very important business. Continue reading →

Estate Planning: Assistance With Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary Designations to Avoid Probate

estate-planning-lawyer-hudson-wisconsinBeneficiary Designations to Avoid Probate can be a Great Estate Planning Tool When Properly Used. But Use Caution to Avoid Common Pitfalls.

You may have heard that you can avoid probate upon your death by simply placing beneficiary designations on your assets. Beneficiary designations, sometimes referred to as Pay on Death or POD designations, can be a great estate planning tool when properly used. Individuals who are named as beneficiaries on your various bank and investment accounts, insurance policies, retirement plans and so forth, can receive their share of the asset or plan upon your death directly from the institution or company involved, without the asset or funds being included as part of your probate estate. Depending upon the nature of your assets, sometimes probate can be avoided entirely with properly designated beneficiaries. However, be sure to use caution to avoid some very common pitfalls. As an Estate Planning and Probate Attorney I’ve seen various unexpected results with beneficiary designations, including the following: Continue reading →

Real Estate Law: Protect You Real Estate Investment with a Real Estate Attorney

For Sale By Owner Attorney

The real estate market is finally beginning to recover. Whether you’re working with a realtor, or venturing out on your own to buy or sell a property, it’s always a good idea to consult with an experienced real estate attorney. This is especially true with a For Sale by Owner transaction, also know as a FSBO.For Sale By Owner

A real estate transaction often begins with a document referred to as an Offer to Purchase.  While this document may appear to be a fairly innocent looking form, it is in fact a legally binding contract that consists of several important provisions. Unsuspecting sellers and buyers often have no idea of the legal consequence of these provisions. Great care must be taken to ensure that a real estate offer is properly prepared, and that all necessary contingencies and terms are included. Each contract should be custom tailored to each set of circumstances.

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Make Proper Estate Planning a New Year’s Resolution

Goals 2014Proper Estate Planning can Avoid  Legal Battles.

New Year’s Resolutions. We all make them; we all break them. But estate planning is one resolution that’s too important not to keep. Whether you live in my home town of Hudson, WI or across the river in the great land of MN, you’re never too young to have your affairs in order with a suitable Last Will & Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Power of Attorney documents, and a Living Will. Continue reading →