As I’ve previously written, digital property presents unique challenges in estate planning. What happens with your digital life when you die or if you are in a coma? Facebook announced a new feature today that will permit users to provide a contact who can manage the user’s page after the user’s death. Or users can instruct Facebook to permanently delete the account after … [Read more...] about Facebook: Ok to Name Account Manager For When a User Dies
Trusts and Estates
Are You Backing Up Your Digital Life?
The holidays were filled with lots of wonderful opportunities to take pictures. Then those photos were downloaded to computers with the thought they would be held for safekeeping. But are they really secure? Many people were the happy recipients of new laptops or desktop computers that they are now happily using. Was a backup system also set up? The Federal Trade Commission … [Read more...] about Are You Backing Up Your Digital Life?
Obituaries – Life’s Stories and Lessons on Living Life Better
When I was reporter for The Atlanta Constitution, my colleagues and I had deep respect for those who wrote obituaries, stories on how a life had been lived. As an attorney handling estate matters, both planning and administration, I know writing an obit is a solemn and often sad task. As this article describes, many obit writers see their work as telling readers about … [Read more...] about Obituaries – Life’s Stories and Lessons on Living Life Better
Retired and Considering Remarrying? Consider how Social Security benefits will change
For three in four single retirees more than half of their income comes from Social Security. A divorced retiree who was married for at least a decade is entitled to spousal Social Security benefits, the same as if they were still married. The benefits are available even if the ex-spouse remarries. That eligibility ends when the divorced retiree remarries. The benefits are no … [Read more...] about Retired and Considering Remarrying? Consider how Social Security benefits will change
You’ve Inherited Property with a Mortgage, Now What?
Hearing that you’ve inherited real estate is the good news. Then there can be uncertainty about what an existing mortgage might mean. Many fear they have to get a new mortgage on their name, that they won’t be able to, and that they will lose the property if the lender calls the loan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently issued a rule that should ease … [Read more...] about You’ve Inherited Property with a Mortgage, Now What?
