Property Sisters: Seven Ways to Avoid Family Fights over Your Property

by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | May 28, 2024 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Wills & Trusts

Ask a group of friends if they have experienced a family fight over property after a loved one has died, and you will be in for a lively and eye-opening conversation. Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance....

How to Choose the Right Agents for Your Incapacity Plan

by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | May 28, 2024 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Wills & Trusts

Many people believe that estate planning is only about planning for their death. But planning for what happens after you die is only one piece of the estate-planning puzzle. It is just as important to plan for what happens if you become unable to manage your own...

The Power of Purpose: Unveiling the Impact of Charitable Giving

by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | May 28, 2024 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Wills & Trusts

Compared to residents of other wealthy nations, Americans are more likely to give their time and money to help others. In 2023, the United States ranked ninth in per capita gross domestic product (GDP) but fifthon the World Giving Index rankings.[1] Polling shows that...

Intrafamily Loans and How They Work

by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | May 28, 2024 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Wills & Trusts

An intrafamily loan is a financial arrangement between family members—one who is lending and another who is borrowing. An intrafamily loan may be used to help a family member who needs money for a number of reasons: buying a home funding or purchasing shares in a...

If My Will Is Filed with the Court, Will It Go through Probate?

by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | May 28, 2024 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Wills & Trusts

Death is a personal and private affair that affects the deceased’s close family and friends. However, there is at least one aspect of death that may require state oversight: probate. Probate is the court-supervised process of either (a) carrying out the instructions...

Are Pensions Treated the Same in Your Estate Plan as Other Retirement Accounts?

by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | May 28, 2024 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Wills & Trusts

The first private pension plan in the United States was established in the late 1800s. Through 1980, nearly 40 percent of Americans were covered by a traditional employer-funded pension. But employer-provided retirement plans have now largely shifted to retirement...