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Articles
What Is a Trustee in Estate Planning?
A trustee is the person or institution appointed to manage a trust on behalf of beneficiaries of the trust. Being a trustee is a significant responsibility. Those serving in this role must always act in the best interests of beneficiaries when carrying out their trust management duties, which inc
What Is an Executor of a Will?
Takeaways An executor (sometimes called a personal representative) is responsible for settling a deceased person’s estate. The role usually includes safeguarding property, paying valid bills and taxes, keeping detailed records, and distributing assets to the right people. Executors may
Estate Planning for a Single Person
If you are single, you may not think you need to plan your estate, but single people are in as much need of a plan as anyone else. Estate planning not only involves determining where your assets will go when you die -- it also helps you plan for what will happen should you become incapacitated, perh
6 Things to Ask Before Agreeing to Be a Trustee
Being asked to serve as the trustee of the trust of a family member is a great honor. It means that the family member trusts your judgment and is willing to put the welfare of the beneficiary or beneficiaries in your hands. But being a trustee is also a great responsibility. You need to go into it
The 6 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes
If you’re like most people, you have the best of intentions regarding how you want your estate distributed when you die or your affairs handled should you become incapacitated. Unfortunately, without proper planning, your best intentions may not be enough. Here are six of the most common estate pl
Funeral Arrangements: How to Make Your Wishes Known
When you lose a loved one, you naturally want to honor their life in a way that they would have appreciated. Yet many people struggle to decide on final arrangements for a late family member or close friend because they are unsure of the deceased person’s wishes. In the midst of an already diff