A last will and testament, commonly referred to as just a will, is the most basic instrument of estate planning. Among other purposes, it is used to declare who among your loved ones and heirs receives what when you pass away.

About 5 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s, with the number expected to triple in the next four years. For those aged 85 or older, the odds are that half will develop the disease.

If you’re getting remarried in Ohio, you may have gone through divorce proceedings, during which your marital assets were divided according to the state’s principle of “equitable distribution.” Your new spouse – and your new life – will require you to revisit your estate planning.

You’ve been named the personal representative in the will of a family member or close friend, and suddenly, that person passes away, leaving their estate in your hands.

Estate planning is one of the most important things a person can do to protect their property and loved ones and prepare for the future. Unfortunately, there is an abundance of misinformation surrounding estate planning. Many of those misconceptions hold people back from taking control of their future.

The only thing you need not consider before drafting an estate plan is whether you need one. Every adult needs one, even if it is basic. Building an estate plan is all about defining your goals and creating a plan that will achieve them. In order to set goals, you need to consider a range of issues.

In its annual survey of how Americans carry out estate planning – whether they have a will or other heirship document in place – the website Caring.com has found that the percentage of people with just a simple will has been declining.

The death of a parent is one of the most stressful and devastating events in anyone’s life. Losing a parent is a loss that does not fade over time. Instead, it shapes the bereaved child for the rest of their life.

As I mentioned, I grew up on a small family farm in central Ohio. My dad had bought the land and everything that went with it. Like many farms of that time, my family ran the farm while my parents worked jobs earning the money that supported us. The farm was not a hobby. It was a real working farm that had an even shot of paying its way each year and adding to the bottom line. That was the goal, and usually it worked.

The Last Will and Testament is the primary planning document specifying the transfer of property from a deceased person's estate to his beneficiaries. It also can name a guardian for minor children or dependents, while providing other direction to courts for their care. (It may include a "Testamentary Trust" to provide for the minor's or dependent's financial estate.)