Category: Funding and Asset Titling

Pre-nups, Not Just for Divorces Anymore

By David Edwards on Dec 14, 2010 in Asset Protection, Asset Protection Trusts, Divorce Risks, For Your Kids, Funding and Asset Titling, Kids' Inheritance, Marriage & Remarriage, Parents

What does a pre-nup have to do with estate planning? Let me tell you. A pre-nuptial, or pre-marital agreement, outlines how a married couple will handle their assets. It covers more than what happens in a divorce. If we assume the couple will be happily married forever, here are still at least 2 situations that may need planning ahead: [...]

Contain Yourself: Fool Proof Solution to Getting Organized

By David Edwards on Jun 26, 2010 in Asset Organization, Funding and Asset Titling, Getting the Job Done, What a Will Doesn't, Wills and Trusts

Why is getting organized so much fun? Well, I should rephrase that. Getting organized is a lot of work. But BEING organized is fun. A while back Michelle and I went to the Container Store in St. Louis. Who would think there is a store with nothing but containers for storing things? And it’s fun [...]

Joint Ownership – Tempting But Risky

By David Edwards on Mar 08, 2010 in Funding and Asset Titling, Risks of joint ownership, Wills and Trusts

Joint ownership with a right of survivorship, or joint tenancy, is a common method of owning assets. Particularly with husbands and wives, it is a very common ownership method. Many people hear about joint tenancy as being a good estate planning tool – a way to transfer their assets to a loved one without court [...]

Two Types of Asset Organization Mistakes

By David Edwards on Feb 27, 2010 in Asset Organization, Funding and Asset Titling

There are two types of asset organization mistakes that mess up estate plans. What do you own? How long would it take you to make a list of all of your assets, debts, income and the contact information for each of those? Would it take a while? If you passed away suddenly, would it take [...]

Jigsaw Puzzles and Asset Titling

By David Edwards on May 26, 2009 in Asset Organization, Funding and Asset Titling, Wills and Trusts

Let’s think of estate planning as a puzzle. 1. WHAT’S THE PICTURE? Do you like to know what the picture is that you’re putting together when you work a puzzle? In fact, when I go to buy a puzzle, I only have 2 criteria – the size (usually 500 pieces) and what the picture is. [...]