Most, if not all, timeshare owners will have to decide, at some point in their life, who they want to receive their timeshares after they pass away. Most timeshares are real property interests, that are deeded into the owner(s)'s name(s). If a timeshare is held in an individual's name at death, just like any other piece of… Continue reading The Importance of Placing Your Timeshares Into A Trust
One of the most prominent cases of Living Wills or Advance Directives was the Terri Schaivo case in the early 2000s. It is prominent for Living Wills, in that Terri Schaivo did not have one, and her situation caused a legal battle that lasted years and costed thousands of dollars for her family. In this… Continue reading Avoiding the Terri Schaivo Case – The Oklahoma Advance Directive
There is currently a legal battle in the federal courts regarding a Federal law mandating that marriage is between a man and a woman. EdiTh Windsor challenged the federal law in DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act) as unconstitutional on equal protection grounds. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York recently held… Continue reading Edith Windsor’s Fight for Same-Sex Marriage Recognition
Many clients of the attorneys at Skillern Law Firm, PLLC believe they do not need a new Advance Directive since they had one drafted many years ago. Well, if you got your living will completed before 2006, you may need yours updated. During the 2006 Legislative Session, the Oklahoma Legislature amended the Oklahoma Advance Directive… Continue reading Do You Need to Update Your Advance Directive (Living Will)?
It seems everyone knows at least someone with special needs, whether it be a family member, a church member, or a friend. When it come to estate and financial planning, the term "special needs" applies to family members who cannot, for some reason, take care of themselves. The reasons are varied, whether it be a… Continue reading Special Needs Planning
Oklahoma allows the probate courts to admit holographic (or handwritten) wills. There are certain considerations that are very important to consider if you think a holographic will is right for you. Today on Tulsa Estate Planning Blog, Skillern Law Firm, PLLC will help you figure out if its right for you. First, there are important, strict… Continue reading The Problems with Handwritten Wills
One common question about wills and trusts is about joint or mutual wills. Many people ask attorneys why joint wills are never recommended by attorneys. The reason is not that attorneys want to get more of your money by drafting two wills instead of one. Also, most people may see it as an extra expense… Continue reading Why A Joint Will Is A Bad Idea.
It is a new year, and everyone is listing things that they want to accomplish in 2012. You might be interested in a new healthy eating regimen, or workout schedule, but why not add updating your estate planning to that list? Twenty-twelve is the year of the estate plan! If you haven't established a way to… Continue reading Resolutions
There is a popular trend among the states right now in estate planning law to allow people to make preparations for their pets in their will or trusts. Oklahoma has recently joined the trend. Oklahoma now allows pet trusts since a relatively recent House Bill1641 that was signed into law and became effective August 27,… Continue reading Estate Planning for Pets! Oklahoma Pet Trusts.
In the season of giving, clients often ask us about charitable giving and its tax implications. There are several options to those individuals with a generous heart. Charitable Foundation Trusts, or "private foundations" with Tax-Exempt status are expensive and time-consuming to create. Individuals with thousands of dollars to donate, however, would be wise to create… Continue reading The Season of Charitable Giving
