Our Blog – Estate Planning & Probate

The #1 Legal Document Every Adult Needs to Have Right Now

The #1 Legal Document Every Adult Needs to Have Right Now

Apr 14, 2020
One of the most important and relatively easy things you can do is to select a medical agent and set up your advance healthcare directive.
I Am an Executor/Administrator of an Estate—Now What?

I Am an Executor/Administrator of an Estate—Now What?

Aug 08, 2019
Have you been designated as a Personal Representative or Executor? Attorney Elizabeth Brown breaks down all of the responsibilities that come with being named the Personal Representative or Executor to someone's Will.
Nope, Sorry—Having a Will Does Not Avoid Probate

Nope, Sorry—Having a Will Does Not Avoid Probate

Aug 08, 2019
One of the most common misconceptions about estate planning that I run into is the belief that having a Will allows your estate to avoid probate. That is not the case. When an asset passes to others according to the terms of a Will, it has to go through the probate process.
Planning for the Future for Your Small Business

Planning for the Future for Your Small Business

Jun 28, 2019
Succession planning is arguably the most critical issue a small business or a family business will face. In this blog post Elizabeth Brown outlines the the formula for a succession plan that protects your business and your family.
Vermont Estate Tax Update

Vermont Estate Tax Update

Jun 27, 2019
Vermont Department of Taxes imposes an estate tax on the transfer of Vermont estates of decedents dying while a resident of Vermont. Currently, Vermont law provides for a $2,750,000 exemption from an estate tax.
Congratulations! Your Child Just Turned 18...

Congratulations! Your Child Just Turned 18...

Jun 05, 2019
Congratulations! Your child just turned 18, they are an "adult" now, or at least in the eyes of the law. Don't let them leave the nest without asking them to sign two critical estate planning documents.
Mythbusters?  Does the “Corporate Veil” Really Work to Protect Your Personal Assets?

Mythbusters? Does the “Corporate Veil” Really Work to Protect Your Personal Assets?

Feb 19, 2019
The protection a limited liability company ("LLC") is called the "corporate veil." This article will address ways to make the veil more difficult to pierce.
Keep Your Family Cabin in the Family

Keep Your Family Cabin in the Family

Feb 04, 2019
One option for the transfer of vacation home real estate is the use of Limited Liability Companies (“LLCs”). LLCs are quickly becoming the preferred entity for vacation homes because membership interests in an LLC are easily transferrable outside of probate, and LLCs provide for flexible operating agreements that allow for the parties to define individual’s financial duties, access, and responsibilities for the property. Unlike joint ownership that leaves all of these issues up to the individual owners to figure out on their own, an LLC allows the parents or the first generation of owners to decide how the property should be managed.
What is a Revocable Living Trust?

What is a Revocable Living Trust?

Jan 23, 2019
A Revocable Living Trust is a legal document often used as an integral part of an estate plan. A Revocable Trust is a document (the “Trust Agreement”) created by a person to manage assets during their lifetime and distribute the remaining assets after their death. A Revocable Trust allows for the person creating the Trust Agreement to manage the Trust, to receive benefits from the Trust, and to change the terms of the trust or evoke it.
Your Estate Planning Pre-Consultation Checklist

Your Estate Planning Pre-Consultation Checklist

Jan 09, 2019
We’ve prepared a pre-consultation checklist so that you can make the most of you and your attorney’s time.