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Estates & Trusts
Drawing up your will or estate plan will ensure that your wishes are carried out in the event of death or medical emergency. Our expert will guide you through the different types of wills and trusts, and offer answers on power of attorney, the probate process, health care decisions, and estate tax.

Questions Answered by our Experts

Thomas Curtiss Jr.
Thomas Curtiss Jr.-Attorney-at-Law
Meet the Expert 
Estate Planning Basics 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is involved in estate planning? 
  3. Why do I need an estate plan? 
  4. Do I need an attorney or other professional to plan my estate? 
  5. How should I begin the estate planning process? 
  6. What is an "executor"? 
  7. Who should I consider when naming my executor? 
  8. How is an executor compensated? 
  9. Why do banks and insurance companies have an interest in estate planning? 
  10. Where should I store the documents memorialized in my estate plan? 
  11. How do debts figure into my estate planning? 
Wills 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What are the minimum provisions an effective will contains? 
  3. At what age do I need to write my will? 
  4. What happens to my possessions if I die without a will? 
  5. What is a "beneficiary"? 
  6. Can I exclude someone from my estate? 
  7. What do parents of minor children need to consider when drafting a will? 
  8. How often does a will need to be updated? 
  9. Does a will have to be prepared by an attorney for it to be considered legal? 
  10. Do I need to sign my will in front of witnesses? 
  11. What are the most common reasons wills are challenged? 
  12. What is an example of a mistake made while writing a will? 
Probate 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is a "probate"? 
  3. What is the probate process? 
  4. How long does probate take? 
  5. Does the probate process differ from state to state? 
  6. How expensive is the probate process? 
  7. Is there a way to avoid probate? 
Trusts 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is a "trust"? 
  3. Are there different types of trusts? 
  4. What are "revocable" and "irrevocable trusts"? 
  5. What are the greatest benefits to having a trust? 
  6. Who, theoretically would want a "revocable trust"? 
  7. Who would want an "irrevocable trust"? 
  8. How should I select a trustee? 
  9. Can I change my trustee? 
  10. Are there any downsides to establishing a trust? 
Estate And Trusts: Power Of Attorney 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is "power of attorney"? 
  3. When is it necessary to grant power of attorney? 
  4. How long does "power of attorney" last? 
  5. What is a "durable power of attorney"? 
  6. What do they call a person who has power of attorney? 
  7. How can I ensure that my attorney-in-fact's decisions will be honored? 
  8. At what point in time is the power granted to the attorney-in-fact? 
  9. What is guardianship? 
  10. Can I cancel a "power of attorney"? 
  11. How do I choose an attorney-in-fact? 

Popular Questions

  • Why do I need an estate plan?
  • How should I begin the estate planning process?
  • Who should I consider when naming my executor?
  • At what age do I need to write my will?
  • Can I exclude someone from my estate?
  • Do I need to sign my will in front of witnesses?
  • What is an example of a mistake made while writing a will?
  • What is the probate process?
  • Does the probate process differ from state to state?
  • Is there a way to avoid probate?
  • Are there different types of trusts?
  • Can I change my trustee?
  • What is "power of attorney"?
  • How can I ensure that my attorney-in-fact's decisions will be honored?
  • At what point in time is the power granted to the attorney-in-fact?
  • Do I need separate attorneys-in-fact for my medical and business affairs?
  • What should I consider when naming an attorney-in-fact for health care?
  • What are "inheritance taxes"?
  • How is the Federal estate tax determined?
  • What is a "gift tax"?
  • What is the appropriate way to document gift giving?
  • What happens if my family contests my decision to donate my organs?
  • Can my Social Security income be taxed?
  • How do I protect my assets before moving to a nursing home?
  • How can I figure out what my estate is worth?
Health Care Power Of Attorney 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is a "health care power of attorney"? 
  3. How do various legal health care documents differ? 
  4. How do health care powers of attorney differ from general powers of attorney? 
  5. Do I need separate attorneys-in-fact for my medical and business affairs? 
  6. What should I consider when naming an attorney-in-fact for health care? 
  7. When does health care power of attorney go into effect? 
Federal Estate Tax 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What are "Federal estate taxes"? 
  3. What are "inheritance taxes"? 
  4. How is the Federal estate tax determined? 
  5. Who is exempt from Federal estate taxes? 
  6. How can I legally reduce the potential taxes on my estate? 
Gift Tax 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is a "gift tax"? 
  3. What are the current laws regarding gift tax exemptions? 
  4. What is the appropriate way to document gift giving? 
  5. What are some ways a person might lessen their taxable estate? 
Anatomical Gifts 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What are "anatomical gifts"? 
  3. How do I become an organ donor? 
  4. What happens if my family contests my decision to donate my organs? 
Estate And Trusts: Elder Issues 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What are "entitlement programs"? 
  3. How does entitlement income fit into my overall estate plan? 
  4. Can my Social Security income be taxed? 
  5. How do I protect my assets before moving to a nursing home? 
What Is An Estate? 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is an "estate"? 
  3. What types of property make up my estate? 
  4. How can I figure out what my estate is worth? 
Types Of Wills 
  1. Thomas Curtiss Jr.
  2. What is a "will"? 
  3. What is a "simple will"? 
  4. What is a "holographic will"? 
  5. What is an "oral will"? 
  6. What is a "joint will"? 
  7. How do I determine which type of will is appropriate for my circumstances? 

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