| Dent Coulson Elder Law | St. Louis, Metro East and Effingham

Common Estate Planning Mistake #19: Failing to change beneficiary designations after death of spouse

After the death of a spouse, or even after a divorce, it’s important to look at and update, if necessary, any beneficiary designations you may have. Too often we see people lulled into a false sense of security by thinking their Will, which may very well cover what happens when each spouse dies first or […]

Don’t Fall Into the “Things Are Too Hectic Right Now” Trap

Last week we discussed when planning should start, which we determined the sooner the better for getting the best results in protecting your life savings from long-term care costs. However, sometimes even the best intentions give way to daily life and the overwhelming feelings that may arise from the very situations the planning is intended […]

Common Estate Planning Mistake #18: Failing to change your Estate Plan while a divorce is pending

Something that is often overlooked, when going through a divorce, is seeking an estate planning attorney to make the appropriate changes to your estate plan. Until your divorce is final you are still married, which could lead to a multitude of assumptions by the law if something happened to you. Ask yourself this question: Would […]

Does a Living Trust protect my life savings from long-term care costs?

A Living Trust is an important estate planning document that offers many advantages, including keeping your estate out of probate after you die. However, does a Living Trust protect your assets from long-term care costs? This question gets asked quite frequently and the answer is simply, no it does not. In this Elder Law Minute, […]

Common Estate Planning Mistake #17: Failing to correctly disinherit a child you want to disinherit

There are various reasons a person may choose to disinherit a child from their estate. Maybe they no longer have an association with the child. Or, maybe the child doesn’t need an inheritance and, maybe, another child does. Choosing to disinherit a child is a personal choice that many families may, at some point, face. So, […]