trusts Archives - Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

Aretha Franklin Did Not Have a Will

February 28, 2019/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

But Did Aretha Franklin Need a Will?

Tragically, Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018 from pancreatic cancer. She left behind four sons but no will or estate plan. Because she did not have a will, during the court process all her assets will be made public. Aretha Franklin’s estate is estimated to be around $80 million and includes financial accounts, personal and real property, and music copyrights. The law of Michigan, where Aretha Franklin died, requires that her assets be divided equally between her four sons. While this may seem simple, it is very common when there is no will for the estate to be contested.

For example, Prince’s estate has been highly contested by the executor of his estate, Comerica Bank and Trust, and his heirs – his six siblings – over the value of his estate and how it should be divided. Prince passed away in 2016 and his $200 million estate has paid lawyers and consultants over $5.9 million while his heirs have yet to receive anything. Lawyers for three of Prince’s heirs claim that it is a “legitimate concern” whether Prince’s heirs will receive anything at all.

If Aretha Franklin had created a trust, her estate would remain private, fees would be reduced, and her heirs would receive their portion of the estate much faster.

Do I Need a Will?

Over half of Americans do not have a will. Most claim they have simply not gotten around to it and many believe that they do not own enough property to pass down.

While most Americans will not leave behind an estate as large as Aretha Franklin or Prince, a will or trust is still extremely valuable.

It is important to remember that your debts as well as your assets are included in your estate. With a will, you can dictate which debts are paid first, this could allow specific property to not be used to pay debts.

Another crucial element is guardianship of children. When there is no will, the court will appoint a guardian. The court will generally appoint the surviving spouse as guardian. However, if the spouse is unavailable the court will appoint a grandparent, and failing that, the next closest relative. With a will, you may nominate a specific guardian who you feel will be best equipped to care for your children.

One more significant factor to consider is who you want, or who you don’t want to execute your wishes. In California if you do not leave a will, your family members may petition to be the administrator of your estate. The court will appoint the petitioner as an administrator if all family members with higher priority decline to serve as an administrator. With a will, you can appoint an executor who you feel is most capable. Alternatively, you may spell out in your will who you do not want to execute your will.

There are many tangible benefits of a will, however the process of drafting a will can be complex. If you are considering a will or another form of estate planning, please contact one of the experienced attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri. We offer free half-hour consultations.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

The Strangest Wills of All Time

March 9, 2016/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

The Huffington Post recently compiled a list of 7 of the weirdest, but very real, wills of all time. Although some are foreign wills, the article serves to remind us that wills are a powerful tool. Creating a will allows us to control the disposition of our property, and fulfill some last wishes.

1. The Original “P.S. I love you”

Comedian Jack Benny left a provision in his will instructing a local florist to deliver a red rose to his wife every day for the rest of her life.

2. A Dog’s Life

Businesswoman, Leona Helmsley, left her dog “Trouble” 12 million to inherit. (Although a judge later reportedly reduced the inheritance to 2 million)

3. The Talking dead

Magician, Harry Houdini’s, last wishes included a request for his wife to hold a mini séance every year on the anniversary of his death. Houdini had promised to contact his wife after death and they even agreed upon a phrase that he would say as confirmation that it was him really speaking. His wife, however, quit the séances a decade after his death.

4. The unhappy husband

German poet, Heinrich Heine’s wife was set to inherit all his assets upon the fulfillment of one condition, she had to remarry. His will reportedly read, “because, then there will be at least one man to regret my death.”

5. The Stork Derby

Toronto businessman, Charles Miller’s, left his fortune to the married woman in Toronto who could birth the most children in the decade following his death. The stork derby, as the race for the fortune later became labeled, eventually led to a 4 woman tie, each producing 9 children.

6. The unfitting funeral

Writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, initially wrote in his will that his funeral should be “suitable” and “in keeping with my station in life.” However, by the time he died, Fitzgerald had changed his will to say it should be the “cheapest” funeral because Fitzgerald had gone into debt.

7. Controlling from the grave

Real estate millionaire, Maurice Laboz, who died in 2015 left his nearly $40 million estate to his 2 daughters. His daughters are set to receive the inheritance at 35, but can receive bonuses before, if they adhere to certain rules. For example:

1) Daughter, Marlena, will receive 500,000 upon marrying, but only if her husband signs a sworn statement promising to not touch the money

2) Marlena will receive another 750,000 if she graduates from an accredit university and writes an essay “100 words or less describing what she intends to with the funds”

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/7-of-the-most-unusual-wills-of-all-time_us_55fb0059e4b0fde8b0cd5bc5?utm_hp_

If you would like to learn more about wills or avoiding probate in general, call Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri to schedule a free half-hour consultation. Our attorneys are passionate about estate planning and have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters, including wills and living trusts. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or reviewing your current estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information.

Estate Planning Lessons from Robin Williams

August 22, 2014/in Estate Planning, In the Community, Probate /by Michael Lonich

As many of us mourn the loss of this great comedic genius, new information is still coming forward about Robin Williams. According to ABC News, with more than half of his movies portraying Williams as the leading man, his movies grossed over $6 billion throughout his career. While he was paid $165,000 per episode for his one season of The Crazy Ones, it is unclear whether he returned to television because of alleged “bills he had to pay” following his two divorces.

Robin Williams is survived by his third wife, Susan Schneider, who was married to him for 3 years, and his three adult children from his prior two marriages whose ages range from 22 to 31. The question for them now is what was the state of his financial affairs when he passed away?

While it appears from public record that Williams left real estate with equity of around $25 million behind, it is unclear what else he left for his heirs. What is clear, however, is that Williams appeared to have several estate planning documents which will be invaluable to his family. These include two different trusts. The first is the “Domus Dulcis Domus Holding Trust” (Latin for “home sweet home”). TMZ also reported that someone had leaked a copy of a different trust, which Williams created in 2009. This would have been while Williams was in the middle of his divorce from his second wife, Marsha Garces.

This trust reportedly named his three children as beneficiaries, splitting their trust funds into three equal distributions for each of them, set to pay out when they reach ages 21, 25, and 30. While the Domus Dulcis Domus Holding Trust appears to have been done to minimize estate taxes, this second trust accomplishes the goals of safeguarding privacy for Williams and his family since trusts avoid probate, keeping his affairs private (as long as they are not leaked to the media).

If you would like to learn more about trusts or avoiding probate in general, call Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri to schedule a free half-hour consultation. Our attorneys are passionate about estate planning and have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters, including wills and living trusts. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or reviewing your current estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information.

Tax and Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples

August 1, 2014/in Estate Planning, In the Community, Probate /by David Patton

Earlier this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit struck down Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban, saying that withholding the fundamental right to marry from same-sex couples is a form of segregation that the Constitution cannot tolerate.

In June 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States in United States v. Windsor, held that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages and that it is up to state Legislatures to define marriage within state boundaries. Since then, numerous law-suits challenging the constitutionality of state DOMAs on equal protection and due process grounds have prevailed in various federal and state courts. Currently, 19 states, including California, plus the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage (recognition states), while 40 states prohibit it (non-recognition states).

The prevailing prediction is that a Supreme Court guarantee of a right to marriage is on its way. American support for same-sex marriage is at a new high of 55 percent, and California support is at 61 percent and increasing, if the trends continue. It is important for all couples to create an estate plan. Additionally, it is important for same-sex couples to be aware of the potentially complicated issues that arise when they move across state lines.

Same-Sex Couples Living in California

Same-sex married couples now living in California enjoy the same benefits and burdens under state and federal law as married opposite-sex couples. Before Windsor and IRS Revenue Ruling 2013-17 (which extended federal tax benefits to married same-sex couples, regardless of their state of residency), many married opposite-sex couples likely took this preferential treatment for granted.

Some of these benefits include:

Property transferred between spouses incident to a divorce is not subject to income or gift tax;
Spousal support (alimony) payments are tax deductible to the paying spouse;
Child support payments are not subject to income tax;
Spouses receive a community interest in 401(k) accounts and other retirement plans; and
Spouses receive all community property and anywhere from one-third to all of the deceased spouse’s separate property for intestate (when a person dies without a will or other non-probate instrument) inheritance purposes.

All couples should be aware of their legal rights at marriage, divorce, and death. It is important for both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples to consider pre-marital agreements, estate plans, and any tax consequences that arise from marriage or divorce.

The Marital Status of Migrating Same-Sex Couples

When a same-sex couple moves out of California, their marital status will depend on the other state’s law with regards to various issues including, state tax filing status, intestate succession, guardianship and conservatorship appointments, and adoption and artificial reproductive technologies. In other words, a non-recognition state may not recognize the otherwise valid same-sex marriage.

If and when the Supreme Court guarantees a right to marriage, moving across state lines will no longer be an issue for same-sex couples. However, in the interim, it is important to be aware of the possible legal consequences.

For example, under Florida law, the definition of “heir” does not include same-sex spouses for intestate inheritance purposes. This means that a same-sex couple that was married in California, but permanently living in Florida, will not inherit from each other under the Florida intestate system. Some courts in non-recognition states are willing to recognize same-sex marriage in certain contexts through the doctrine of comity, which is where a court gives deference to another state’s laws. However, most surviving spouses want to avoid litigation because it can be a headache, requiring time, money, and mental energy.

In some cases, it might be worthwhile for same-sex spouses to opt out of the intestate system with non-probate instruments, such as estate plans. A same-sex couple’s estate plan needs to be drafted with precision, specifically naming beneficiaries, rather than using general terms such as “spouse.” This becomes especially important if a same-sex couple moves to a non-recognition state, where the court may not interpret a same-sex spouse to qualify as a spouse or heir. If any other blood related heirs of the deceased spouse were to contest the non-probate instrument, they could end up inheriting property that would have gone to the same-sex spouse in California or another recognition state.

If you are a same-sex couple and are considering marriage, or need to create or update an estate plan, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex family law and estate planning matters and offer a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Trust Administration: The Basics

April 3, 2014/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Trust administration is the process used to ensure that a trustee complies with California law and is carrying out the mandates of the trust as written. For example, a common task in trust administration is ensuring that the title to assets held in the trust is properly transferred. Trust administration also includes the process by which a trust creator’s (also known as the “trustor” or “settlor”) estate is distributed following his or her death. Following the creator’s death, the successor trustee(s) takes over management of the trust. The trustee must take multiple steps to properly administer the trust assets.

After the death of the trustor, the trustee of any trust has a number of fiduciary duties with regard to the trust and its assets. Here are some important examples:

Locate the deceased’s important documents, including the will, trusts, tax papers, and funeral directives.
If deceased was living alone, change locks and secure the house.
Check on insurance for the property and any cars the deceased owned to be certain the assets within the trust are protected.
Arrange to have certified copies of the deceased’s death certificate from the city or county where the death occurred.
Take an inventory of all assets and the value of those assets, because the value will affect the new tax basis of the items going forward. The value of all these items at death may need to be considered when evaluating federal state tax liability (if any).
Make a list of any household items that will be distributed to beneficiaries, and consider photographing the items to help with organization.
Take an inventory of bank accounts and the like. It may help to streamline the accounts and consolidate them into one place so that it is easier to keep a record of all trust activity, including bills paid and deposits made.
As trustee, you are responsible for paying any remaining debts or bills. If these are not paid you, and not the estate, may be personally liable.
You may need to obtain a Tax ID number for the trust if the trust will generate more than a few hundred dollars between the date of decedent’s death and when all of the assets are distributed. This step can be complicated and you may want to refer to an attorney or a tax professional for advice.
Make sure that all tax returns are filed in a timely fashion.
File any claims for life insurance, IRA’s or other assets that require claims. Also be sure to liquidate any assets that need liquidating, but get advice before you act because there may be serious tax consequences.
Accounting is required of trustees by law. Keep a record of all assets in existence at death and show all additions to the trust, subtract all expenses, and be prepared to show current assets within the trust. Place the assets into a non-interest bearing account to make sure the value does not change after the final accounting is complete.
Distribute the trust assets. Have a lawyer or other professional create a receipt and release form for each beneficiary, memorializing that each person received their inheritance and that the trustee is released from further liability.

While trust administration is generally handled outside the court system, breach of any of the trustee’s fiduciary duties can result in a court action being brought by a beneficiary. For this reason, it is important that a trustee seek out the help of a qualified trust attorney for guidance as needed.

The attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri are experienced in the area of trust administration and can advise the trustee regarding their duties and responsibilities while guiding them through the trust administration process. In addition, our attorneys have experience assisting beneficiaries who believe the trustee is not acting properly. We invite you to contact our office to schedule a free consultation, with no obligation, to discuss your trust administration needs.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

The Disclaimer: An Arrow in the Savvy Planner’s Quiver

March 21, 2014/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

We won’t all be lucky enough to inherit a large sum of money upon the death of a loved one. But, if you do, you may want to consider disclaiming that inheritance under special circumstances. When you disclaim an inheritance, you are refusing to accept it.

Some of you reading this are probably thinking, “You’ve got to be crazy if you think I am ever going to flat out refuse any money that I have coming to me.” Nevertheless, for others who already own plenty of property or are looking to reduce gift or estate or gift taxes, disclaiming an inherited gift could be in the best interests of you and your family.

Let’s say you already have a healthy estate of several million dollars when your father dies, leaving $400,000 to be split evenly between you and your sister. You know that your sister, a single mother, could really use the money and you would like to help her out. In this situation, disclaiming could be beneficial for in two ways.

First, by disclaiming your half of the gift, the entire $400,000 can be transferred directly to your sister. This kind gesture ensures that the person who really needs the property can have it with little difficulty or complications, since a disclaimant never truly owns the property. Furthermore, disclaiming a large gift could help minimize the size of your estate for the benefit of your family at the time of your death. Estates beyond a certain size have to pay steep estate taxes* before your money can go to your beneficiaries. By disclaiming gifts you don’t need, your family can avoid those taxes and enjoy more your hard-earned wealth.

Second, by disclaiming your half of the gift, you will not have to pay gift taxes on any amount you want to give to your sister. In 2014, the IRS limits the amount of cash that can be given tax-free to a particular individual. In this situation, if you were to accept the $200,000 and then try to give it to your sister as a cash gift, any amount over $14,000 given to your sister in a given year would count towards your lifetime gift limit.** Any amount of cash gifts which exceed that limit—$5.34million in a lifetime—will be subject to a gift tax of up to 40 percent. Ouch. To keep things simple and tax-free, disclaiming the inheritance is your best bet.

Deciding whether or not to disclaim is a big decision that can have serious benefits or consequences. In order to make the decision that is best for you and your family, speak with an experienced estate planning attorney before you act. If you need estate planning advice, call Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri to schedule a free half-hour consultation. Our attorneys are passionate about estate planning and have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters, including wills and living trusts. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or reviewing your current estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

*To learn more about estate taxes, click here: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Estate-Tax

**This is known as the “annual gift exclusion.” For those who are interested in learning more about the exclusion, click here: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Gift-Tax

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Will (Part 2): More Than Just Nickels and Dimes

March 7, 2014/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

This is the second part of our series examining Philip Seymour Hoffman’s estate plan.

In the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s untimely death, his estate planning documents have given us some insight into the actor and father of three. Hoffman’s estate plan was executed in 2004 and his will included some unique requests.*

Hoffman requested that the guardian of his children raise his oldest child, his son Cooper, in Manhattan, Chicago or San Francisco. He stated that “If my guardian cannot reside in any of such cities, then it is my strong desire, and not direction, that my son, Cooper Hoffman, visit these cities at least twice per year throughout such guardianship.” And the reason that Hoffman preferred these cities? “[S]o that my son will be exposed to the culture, arts and architecture that such cities offer.”

Hoffman’s will serves as a reminder that a will can be about more than just money and property. Your will can be a place to memorialize your wishes for your family, pets, property, or anything else your desire. Although wishes like Hoffman’s are not legally binding, your family may appreciate the chance to act on your desires in your absence. Your words could help your family make tough decisions in the future.

Hoffman’s will is a great reminder to get creative with our estate planning documents, for our family’s sake. If you’re interested in updating the language in your will, or would like to learn more about estate planning in general, call Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri to schedule a free half-hour consultation. Our attorneys are passionate about estate planning and have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters, including wills and living trusts. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or reviewing your current estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

*Read the original article that inspired this post, after the jump: http://celebrity.yahoo.com/blogs/celeb-news/philip-seymour-hoffman-s-will-revealed–did-not-want-son-raised-in-los-angeles-220210762.html

Wise Beyond His Years: Paul Walker’s Estate Plan

February 13, 2014/in Estate Planning, Probate /by Michael Lonich

Paul Walker was not known for being one of the more prolific or intelligent actors of his era. Even so, the young actor made some sharp estate planning decisions during his short life, probably due to top-notch legal advice. Even so, his estate plan could have been better. Regardless of whether your estate is anything like Paul Walker’s $25 million estate, there are some great lessons* to be learned from Mr. Walker’s estate plan.

The Good

Paul Walker died at the much-too-young age of 40. However, he was smart and recognized that even young people need estate plans. Walker signed his will at 28 years old—an age when most young men still believe they are invincible. He should be commended for taking control of his future for the benefit of his loved ones. Walker realized that accidents happen, and he was prepared. You should do the same.

Walker was survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow, and he privately provided for her future with a trust. Unlike a will that must be processed through the state court system, trusts are completely private and avoid the onerous probate process. Trusts are relatively easy to create, are protected from public scrutiny, and most importantly, can help your loved ones get the assets they need much faster than in the case of a will.

The Bad

Although it is great that Walker named a guardian for his minor child (he named Meadow’s grandmother—his mother), he should have updated his choice with the passage of time. In 2001, his mother was 13 years younger and probably the most appropriate option. However, today, a younger family member could have been a better option in the event that his mother was not up to the task or physically incapable of being Meadow’s guardian.

Walker had both a will and a trust, which was smart at the time. Nevertheless, when he first created those documents, Fast and Furious had not become the monstrous success it is today. His financial picture has changed and his estate planning documents should have reflected those changes. Over a decade ago, he probably had no idea how much money he would be leaving his daughter; he couldn’t have. Furthermore, Walker’s estate will have to cover significant tax obligations before his beneficiaries receive their share; this obligation could have been avoided or reduced with some creative estate planning and trust creation.

The Ugly

Walker’s long-time girlfriend, the woman he reportedly wanted to marry, was apparently left with nothing. Boyfriends and girlfriends have no legal relief in this sad scenario, and it happens far too often. It goes without saying that Walker would have wanted to take care of his girlfriend for the rest of her life. However, since he failed to update his estate plan, she probably will not receive a penny.

You should consider your estate plan to be a living and breathing document; when your life changes, your estate planning documents should change along with it. This is why having a great relationship with a reputable estate planning attorney is so important. If you are interested in creating an estate plan or have any questions regarding your current estate plan, please contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information. The attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters, including living wills and trusts, and we are happy to offer you a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

*Post inspired by: Danielle and Andrew Mayoras, “Five Estate Planning Lessons From The Paul Walker Estate,” from Trial and Heirs: The Legacy Experts. Find the original article here: http://trialandheirs.com/blog/celebrities/paul-walker-estate-good-estate-planning-lessons

Covering the Bases: How to Plan for Unplanned Death

May 22, 2013/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

The wonderful world of estate planning can be strange and morbid at times. For example, when making a will or creating a trust, you might pose questions to yourself such as, “what if our plane goes down on our next family trip to Hawaii and there are no survivors – who should get our home and my stock options, then?” Considering such possibilities does not make you sick or twisted, it actually means you are prudent with your property. It is hard to discuss the unfathomable, but it is definitely smart to have a plan.

Creating a will or trust isn’t necessarily difficult, but potential complications arise when you start to consider what would happen if the person you intended to leave your wealth to dies before, or at the same time as, you. Having a will or a detailed trust is a great first step when it comes to protecting your life’s work and resulting assets. Nonetheless, it is important that the language of your trust or will accommodates a wide array of possible outcomes in regard to your estate.

Without question, you should select a secondary beneficiary for your will or any trusts you create. Additionally, you may want to discuss the inclusion of a ‘simultaneous death’ provision or determine what is to come of your estate if your primary beneficiary dies within thirty days after you – do you still want that individual’s estate to receive his share? Maybe you’d prefer to donate your property to charity if the beneficiary of your choice is unable to accept your estate. There are numerous contingencies that should be addressed in your estate planning documents.

It can be difficult to address complicated issues if you create a will or trust without the aid of an attorney. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you cover your bases, prepare for the unthinkable, and insulate your family from conflict by making your estate easy to settle. The attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri have years of experience handling complex estate planning matters including wills and living trusts. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or reviewing your current estate plan, contact the estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information or to set up a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

I’m Officially Divorced, Now What?

March 14, 2013/in Family Law /by David Patton

You’re officially divorced and positive that everything in your life is settled (legally, anyway). Unfortunately, that might not be the case if your estate planning documents still reflect your old marital status. Fortunately, any provisions in your existing Will that leave assets to your ex-spouse will be revoked by law after divorce. Nevertheless, it is imperative that you actively take steps to create a new will and generally update your estate plan to ensure that the appropriate individuals in your life will control your legal rights and property when you die or become incapacitated. That is, unless you still wish to bequeath property to your ex-spouse at death. Since that is probably not the case, here are some estate planning changes to consider after divorce:

Close any joint accounts like credit cards or savings accounts that you shared with your ex.
Create a fresh Will and update any Guardianship provisions regarding what will happen to your children in the event that something happens to both you and your ex-spouse.
Update any Trusts and reevaluate who your beneficiaries should be and how much property you’d like them to receive and when.
Update all insurance policies, IRA’s, 401k’s, or any other retirement accounts that may name your ex as a beneficiary. These will not automatically change after divorce.
Destroy or revoke your previous Durable Power of Attorney if it named your ex-spouse and create a new one.
Destroy or revoke your previous Advance Health Care Directive if it authorized your ex-spouse to make future health care decisions on your behalf.

It is important to remember that at death, according to the court, whatever your legal document says goes. So, if you do not want your ex-spouse to receive certain property or benefits, you should see a licensed attorney to revoke your old estate plan and incorporate your current wishes into a new one. Hopefully, an updated estate plan can give you some peace of mind as you begin your new life after divorce.

The attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri have years of experience handling complex estate planning matters including wills and living trusts. If you are interested in developing an estate plan or reviewing your current estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information and a free half-hour consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Posts

Aretha Franklin Did Not Have a Will

The Strangest Wills of All Time

Estate Planning Lessons from Robin Williams

Tax and Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples

Trust Administration: The Basics

The Disclaimer: An Arrow in the Savvy Planner’s Quiver

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Will (Part 2): More Than Just Nickels and Dimes

Wise Beyond His Years: Paul Walker’s Estate Plan

Covering the Bases: How to Plan for Unplanned Death

I’m Officially Divorced, Now What?

Free 30-Minute Family Law or Estate Planning Consultation

Contact Us