You've probably heard about the importance of setting up a trust, funding it, and avoiding probate. But what do all these terms mean, exactly? How do you “fund” a trust, and why is avoiding probate so important?  We will break down these basic Estate Planning terms and concepts in an easy-to-dig...

Do you know the impact on you and your loved ones if your estate has to go through probate or guardianship court? Probate is a legal process where the court appoints an executor to administer the estate and distribute assets. In the case of a disability, an estate can go through guardianship court, where a guardian is appointed to handle the financial affairs and healthcare decisions of the disabled person. These court processes can happen when someone doesn’t previously have a trust with their assets coordinated properly with it. They are lengthy, expensive, stressful, and...avoidable.