If you intend to use Medicaid to pay for your long-term care needs, starting your planning before you reach a crisis can help you save money and retain property for your beneficiaries. There are many ways to manage your assets so that you qualify for Medicaid....
Estate Planning
How to talk about estate planning with your aging parent
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Sep 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
Talking to your parent about the inevitable is not something that comes easy to anyone, and it only gets harder as time passes. However, you will do your parent, yourself and the rest of your family a favor by broaching the subject of estate planning as soon as...
What are the shortcomings of do-it-yourself estate planning?
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Jun 3, 2022 | Estate Planning
Though do-it-yourself estate planning seems like a viable option for saving money, it is often one of the things that are worth investing in. Here are three reasons to pay a professional to handle your estate planning rather than attempting a DIY. 1. DIY tools do not...
When to update your estate plans
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Nov 17, 2021 | Estate Planning
Preparation is essential if you want to be ready for whatever life throws your way, but it is also important if you want to take care of your loved ones after your pass. If you are like many other people, you may think that simply creating a will is enough. However,...
When does a Missouri estate require probate?
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Aug 27, 2021 | Estate Planning
Probate can be costly and significantly extend the amount of time it takes to settle a deceased person's estate. Estate planning strategies can help you avoid probate for your inheritors if desired. Review the factors that determine whether an estate requires probate...
The importance of planning for incapacity
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Aug 17, 2021 | Estate Planning
It's not uncommon for Missouri residents to focus their estate planning efforts on what happens after they die. However, an estate plan can also help you account for events that might take place during your lifetime. A trust, Financial Power of Attorney or Health Care...
How a trust can help you avoid probate
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Jun 2, 2021 | Estate Planning
If there are assets in your Missouri estate, (i.e. your name), when you pass away, they are generally subject to probate. This means that they cannot be transferred to beneficiaries until probated and a judge gives your estate representative permission to do so....
Drawbacks to a do-it-yourself estate plan
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Mar 3, 2021 | Estate Planning
If you live in Missouri and you have not created an estate plan, you might be wondering whether you can simply prepare one yourself. While it may seem like this would save you money, there are some drawbacks to a DIY approach. Planning for your family Some people...
Why everyone needs a will
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Jan 15, 2021 | Estate Planning
Most people don’t like to think about death much. That may be part of the reason so few Americans have a will. According to a 2017 AARP survey, only 4 in 10 of U.S. adults have a will or living will. That means most adults don’t have the documents they need to show...
3 Common mistakes that get executors into trouble
On Behalf of Lewis Law Office, P.C. | Oct 27, 2020 | Estate Planning
Though it can feel like an honor initially, it's essential to understand that serving as the executor to a person's estate is a big undertaking. As a Personal Representative, you'll have a legal responsibility to distribute property according to the deceased's...