Time to put aside your preconceived notions about millennials. It’s hard to believe, but some in the generation are starting to close in on their 40s. Born between 1980 and the mid-1990s, they have growing families, assets, bills and pets, just like other generations before them. And just like those previous age groups did when approaching life’s milestones, millennials need to start estate planning. “It’s no less important for this generation than for their parents,” say estate-planning attorneys Jason Smolen and Dan Ruttenberg of SmolenPlevy. Read more »

If your estate includes forms of intellectual property (IP), such as patents and copyrights, it’s important to know how to address them in your estate plan. Although these intangible assets can have great value, in many ways they’re treated differently from other property types. Read more »

There’s no law that says you can’t prepare your own estate plan. And with an abundance of online services that automate the creation of wills and other documents, it’s easy to do. But unless your estate is small and your plan is exceedingly simple, the pitfalls of do-it-yourself (DIY) estate planning can be many. Read more »

When someone sees they’re named as executor in a will, they believe it is something they must do. However, that may not be what’s best for the person or what’s best for the estate. Being an executor is not a “have to do,” it should be a “want to do.” #ProbateNavigated asks SmolenPlevy’s Marissa Bagasra how to decide whether you should assume the role of executor. Read more »

A common estate planning mistake is to designate a minor as beneficiary — or contingent beneficiary — of a life insurance policy or retirement plan. While making your young child the beneficiary of such assets may seem like an excellent way to provide for him or her in the case of your untimely death, doing so can have significant undesirable consequences. Read more »

Estate planning for a blended family can have unique challenges. Of particular concern: taking care of your children from previous relationships after you’re gone, while also providing for your new spouse. So how do you protect both? Read more »

The last thing you want your loved ones to be burdened with after you die is the overwhelming process of probate. Some probate periods are short, but others seem to never end. On The Probate Nation TV show, SmolenPlevy principal Dan Ruttenberg discusses good and bad probate avoidance techniques. Read more »

After a life filled with success and accolades, 95-year-old Stan Lee — famous comic-book writer, editor, film executive producer and publisher — surely didn’t want his sunset years to devolve into a nightmare of conflict and betrayal more fitting for one of his films than for real life. Since losing his wife, Joan, last year, Lee has been locked in battle both with family and associates over his financial affairs, all while struggling with failing health. His 67-year-old daughter, J.C., is but one of a cast of characters whom Lee says have “bad intentions.” Read more »