Who should I choose as my Personal Representative or Trustee?
Whether you have a will-based estate plan or trust-based one choosing the right person who will be in charge of your assets when you are gone is sometimes a difficult decision for people. Gone are the days when the oldest son is automatically chosen. I’ve seen too many family fights occur simply because the wrong person is serving in this position. You know your family and its particular politics best.
Blended families may want to utilize Co-Personal Representatives so that a child from each side is represented. In some situations it is necessary to go to a neutral third party, like a neighbor, sibling, or professional. Things to consider when choosing:
- Are they fair?
- Are they good communicators?
- Are they able to take criticism and not let it bother them?
Worry less about who is “local” and more about who you truly trust to get the job done. Always remember to have plenty of contingency planning in case someone you choose dies, gets sick, or just doesn’t want to do it.
Choose wisely and you will minimize family discord after you pass.
Do I need a Trust?
Does your neighbor or best friend complain to you that if you don’t have a trust you will regret it? Everyone has heard of the word, but few people truly understand the benefits and drawbacks of trusts, let alone what kind of trust they may have. The truth is that not everyone needs a trust. The answer depends on what state you are a resident of when you die, and other factors including whether you own real estate in more than one state.
Read this handout and you will know more about trusts than that pesky neighbor who thinks you are doing everything wrong…
Kathryn Bedell 1/31/2019
“If I was looking for an estate planning Attorney…”
Advice from a Seasoned Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
1. Don’t get your estate planning documents online. I estimate that 99% of what I do is not preparing documents, but giving tailored advice for your unique situation.
2. Use online research, but only to educate yourself, as well as to compare and contrast attorneys.
3. Interview lawyers, by telephone or at your first office meeting – shop around and ask for price.
4. Make sure to use a lawyer who only focuses on estate planning.
5. If you are afraid to interview a lawyer, use word of mouth – ask your friends.
Kathryn Bedell 12/26/2018
Major changes to the Probate Code that affect all Maine Real Estate.
Starting September 1, 2019, Maine will allow a real estate deed to designate beneficiaries, the same way you would on a bank or stock account. Florida residents are already familiar with this deed and call it a “Ladybird” deed. The advantage of the new deed is that the beneficiaries will have absolutely no rights to the real estate and the owner can change the deed at any time before you die, without notice to the beneficiary.
It will minimize the need for Trusts, especially out-of-state residents with Maine real estate who want to very simply by-pass Maine probate when they die. It will also potentially eliminate probate for Maine residents who have beneficiary designations for all their assets (life insurance, IRA, bank accounts) except the house. Call today to see if this new deed is right for you!
Kathryn Bedell 12/12/2018
Everyone Must Have a Durable Power of Attorney – Do You?
Many people mistakenly think that they have control over a loved one’s property by virtue of being a parent, a child, or a spouse. This is wrong! If you are disabled (hospitalized, nursing home) and unable to act for yourself, no one else can deal with your property. No one else can speak with social security, the IRS, the bank, even a utility provider if the account is solely in the unavailable person’s name. This even includes assets that are jointly held. Everyone, even young adults, should have a Durable Power of Attorney appointing someone they trust to immediately step into their shoes. Otherwise that loved one will need to get a guardianship and/or conservatorship to gain access, which is time consuming, burdensome, and extremely expensive.
Durable Powers of Attorney have strict requirements from state to state. For example, Maine has statutory notices that must be in every Maine Durable Power of Attorney. Grabbing a Durable Power of Attorney on-line is not a good solution and puts you at risk for having invalid documents.
Don’t ignore this critical document and leave your assets unprotected. EVERYONE must have a Durable Power of Attorney today.
Kathryn Bedell 12/12/2018