Gordon Fischer at desk with client

Beneficiaries, Executors, and Guardians, Oh My!

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I’ve previously written about the six “must have” documents of everyone’s estate plan. These documents include some key people that are essential. But, the terms for some of these roles can be confusing. Let's review the main ones…
old and young hand touching a rose

Funding and Administering Your Living Trust

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If you have a living trust (sometimes referred to as an inter vivos trust) in your estate plan, you need to know how to administer it. That sounds like common sense, but there are some unique elements to consider that otherwise you probably…

You Are A Superhero: Charitable Giving Through Estate Planning. (Everything* You Need to Know About Estate Planning: Day 7)

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You are a superhero. Seriously, you have the ability to change the world or, at the very least, your little corner of it. In fact, changing the world can be as simple as asking yourself one question: what causes would I like to benefit in my will? BEQUESTS…

In Trusts We Trust (Everything* You Need to Know About Estate Planning: Day 6)

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A trust is a very useful legal arrangement which may save you, your heirs, and beneficiaries a great deal of money, time, and trouble, as well as help to keep important matters private.  A trust is what one might consider an “extra”…

Disposition of Final Remains: Save Your Loved Ones Headaches & Heartache (Everything* You Need to Know About Estate Planning: Day 5)

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One way we can show our loved ones how much we care about them is by making our wishes known for when we’re no longer there to tell them. Estate planning is one of the best ways to do that, especially concerning what’s to be done with…

Why Every Iowan Should Have Financial Power of Attorney (Everything* You Need to Know About Estate Planning: Day 4)

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What IS a Financial power of attorney, anyway? You’ve probably heard you need to have a financial power of attorney in place, but the whole thing seems a little ambiguous . . . what does this important legal document (which is a necessary…