Edmond Oklahoma Estate Planning Blog

Can you write business inheritance into wills?

On behalf of Lidia Law Firm, P.C. posted in wills on Friday, May 18, 2018.

As a business owner in Oklahoma, you've put monumentous effort into growing your company from the ground up. Naturally, you want your business to continue flourishing even after you pass. Lidia Law Firm is here to help ensure that your business is passed on according to your wishes.

Business and estate law do tend to intersect when it comes to family or self-owned businesses that you wish to pass down to someone else. In some cases, you might want to leave it to one or multiple members of your family. In other cases, you might prefer leaving your share of the business to a trusted business partner, even if they aren't related. It's up to you to first decide who you want your business assets to go to.

What are the benefits of drafting estate plans?

On behalf of Lidia Law Firm, P.C. posted in wills on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

As a resident of Oklahoma, you have the ability to draft an estate plan in order to help out your loved ones in the event of your passing. Lidia Law Firm is here to help you get the complex paperwork and other legalities out of the way so that you can focus on what's important.

Estate plans are of vital importance. They determine how matters, especially of the financial variety, will be handled after your passing. A few of the most commonly quoted benefits include:

Peace of mind
Asset protection
Financial provision
Tax minimization
Creation of Trusts

The advantage of Trusts, explained

On behalf of Lidia Law Firm, P.C. posted in Trusts on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

Many Oklahoma residents feel apprehensive about setting up a Trust; others feel that it simply is not worth the time. Wherever families may lie on this spectrum of opinion, many are confused about the meanings of a will or Trust altogether. Below are some accessible facts about a Trust specifically, and how having one may prove advantageous.

First, an article in Forbes explains that, as a whole, a Trust is a group of assets prepared for beneficiaries. Overseen by an appointed Trustee, the management of a Trust involves directions on how assets are to be distributed -- these can include cash, property and other important belongings. A will and a Trust each have a number of benefits, but Forbes points out that Trusts can help one avoid probate, and can even prove more flexible than a will. Although potentially more costly, some families may benefit from Trusts more than others. For instance, those with minor children might want to consider Trusts, since a Trust could allow more control over when, exactly, a child receives money. In addition, Trusts can allow parents to categorize where money will go, such as education or other major life expenses.

What should you know about probate administration?

On behalf of Lidia Law Firm, P.C. posted in estate administration & probate on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

To Oklahoma residents like you, probate administration is likely a complex mess of legal terms and laws that you don't necessarily know. Lidia Law Firm is here to guide you through what can be an incredibly confusing and tricky legal area to navigate.

Probate administration involves essentially tying up the financial loose ends that are left over after the passing of a loved one. This includes redistributing assets to those who are legally owed them. Once all debts and assets have been identified and organized, you can then move on to ensuring you know all heirs, beneficiaries and creditors. After that, you can finally begin dividing and distributing the assets.

Factors to consider when appointing an executor

On behalf of Lidia Law Firm, P.C. posted in estate administration & probate on Friday, March 23, 2018.

When Oklahoma residents put their estate plan together, it is important for them to think carefully about the person who will serve as their executor. According to FindLaw, the executor is usually in charge of the administrative and legal duties associated with your estate, and it is important to pick someone who can capably fulfill these duties.

When people select an executor, they should typically consider where someone lives. It can sometimes be beneficial to have an executor who lives in the area so he or she can maintain the property and appear in court as necessary. Additionally, it is important to consider family dynamics. If people pick a favorite child as the executor of their estate, their other children may sometimes be more likely to challenge the will or argue about the assets they will inherit. People should also make sure that someone is willing to be the executor.

Understanding different kinds of Trusts

On behalf of Lidia Law Firm, P.C. posted in Trusts on Friday, March 9, 2018.

When Oklahoma residents set up their estate plans, they have many options to choose from. One of these options is a Trust. Because there are many kinds of Trusts, it is important for people to understand the differences so they can set up the kind that will be best for them.

The kind of Trust that most people may be familiar with is an irrevocable Trust. FindLaw says that this type usually cannot be changed once someone has set it up. One benefit of an irrevocable Trust is that the assets usually cannot be removed once they have been placed inside the Trust. If people want the option to change a Trust as their circumstances change, they may want to consider a revocable Trust. This type can also keep assets from being subject to probate. Sometimes people may want a portion of their assets to benefit a certain charity after their deaths. In this case, they may want to establish a charitable Trust.

Having a will is beneficial at any age

On behalf of Lidia Law Firm, P.C. posted in wills on Friday, February 23, 2018.

No one likes thinking about their own death, regardless of their age. For younger individuals, it may seem like there is plenty of time to put off those awkward conversations and emotional decisions. Unfortunately, anything can happen and it’s best for adults with assets of any size to be prepared for a tragedy.

Here are some key reasons writing a will is a good idea at any age.

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