by Tawnya Gilreath

Estate Planning…A must whether you have a little or a lot!

Estate and Business

While everyone is celebrating during this holiday season, the manner of these celebrations can vary based on differing family traditions, religions, and geographic regions. Estate planning is no different—protecting your family’s future must be customized to fit your and your family’s unique needs. No matter your level of wealth, it is important to understand that the reasons for estate planning are universal.

Estate Planning Basics: There are several reasons why an estate plan is necessary for everyone. Some of these include protecting beneficiaries, sidestepping probate, protecting assets from creditors, and avoiding a mess in the event of incapacity or death. Estate planning gives you the tools to specify what happens to you, your assets, and even your loved ones should you pass away or be unable to handle your own affairs. Read More

by Tawnya Gilreath

3 Reasons You Want to Avoid Probate

The Law Office of Tawnya Gilreath

When you pass away, your family may need to visit a probate court in order to claim their inheritance. This can happen if you own property (like a house, car, bank account, investment account, or other asset) in only your name. Although having a will is a good basic form of planning, a will does not avoid probate. Instead, a will simply lets you inform the probate court of your wishes – your family still has to go through the probate process to make those wishes legal.

Here are 3 key reasons why you want to avoid probate. Read More

by Tawnya Gilreath

Why a Trust Is the Best Option for Avoiding Probate

The Law Office of Tawnya Gilreath

Setting up a revocable living trust is quite often the best, most comprehensive option for avoiding probate. Often touted as an alternative to a will, a trust is a legal structure that permits management of your assets by a trustee on behalf of your beneficiaries. A living trust is established while you are still alive, as opposed to being created upon your death. Read More

by Tawnya Gilreath

Why Should I Avoid Probate?

Estate and Business

There are several reasons why you should avoid probate; however, in this post we will address the top 3 reasons. Many people mistakenly think that having a will avoids probate. Unfortunately, a will does not avoid probate, rather, it lets the family of the decedent inform the probate court of the decedent’s wishes. Here are 3 key reasons why you want to avoid probate if at all possible. Read More

by Tawnya Gilreath

How to Avoid Conservatorship and Guardianship

Estate and Business

When a person becomes incapacitated and is unable to manage their daily affairs, documents in their estate plan can eliminate the need for conservatorship or guardianship court proceedings.

To avoid the government’s interference in a family’s business and personal affairs,  documents in their estate plan can direct a trusted person to carry out that individual’s wishes for the situation. Read More

by Tawnya Gilreath

Wills vs. Trusts: What’s the Difference?

Estate and Business

If you’re confused about the differences between wills and trusts, here’s a quick list of four things that a Revocable Living Trust can do that Wills can’t, two things that Wills can do that Revocable Living Trusts cannot, and three things that both Wills and Revocable Living Trusts can do. Read More