You changed the locks. You signed the divorce papers. But did you change your beneficiary designations? Too often, people forget this step. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and even payable-on-death bank accounts don’t follow your…
Planning for the Family Caregiver: Should One Child Get More?
When a child takes on the role of caregiver, you see the financial strain, time commitment and emotional weight they are carrying. You’re grateful. You start to ask yourself if that child should receive more…
Do I Need a New Will If I Move to Georgia?
Did you move to Georgia recently? If so, did you already have a will in place when you moved? You might be thinking, “Do I need to update it? Do I need a new one?”…
What Happens to Your Debt When You Die?
“When I die, do my kids have to pay my debt?” is a question that we often hear. Let’s clear up some of the confusion. You’d be correct in thinking that when someone in Georgia…
Can I Handwrite My Will in Georgia?
You may have heard this before: “Just write your will down on a piece of paper and you’re good.” You may be wondering if this is legal in Georgia? Will it hold up in court?…
When the Will is Locked in a Safe Deposit Box
This comes up more than you’d think. A loved one passes away, and someone says, “the will is safe – it’s in the banks deposit box.” It sounds like the right idea at first. The…
A Will is a Good Start – But It’s Not the Whole Picture
A lot of people think that once they’ve written a will, they’re all set. And it’s true – a will is better than nothing. It names who you want to handle your estate and who…
Even Celebrities Die Without Wills. Here’s Why That Matters
It might surprise you, but some of the most famous people in the world died without a will. Prince. Michael Jackson. Aretha Franklin. Jimi Hendrix. Elvis Presley. Their names are known everywhere, but when they…
Why Having an Advance Directive Just Makes Sense
Here’s something most people don’t want to think about: What happens if you’re in the hospital, unable to speak, and decisions need to be made fast? Would your family know what to do? Would doctors…
Avoid the Probate Process with Smarter Estate Planning
When someone passes away, you may think that their family is immediately entitled to their assets or things. This isn't always the case. Most of the time, their assets have to go through what's called…