One common scenario that estate planning attorneys encounter is clients who believe that deeding their home to their children solves the problem of avoiding probate. Most retired individual's main asset is their home, which many have paid their mortgage off. Such a situation is common for many of our clients, and the attorneys at Skillern… Continue reading A Common Error to Avoid Probate
Tag: legal news
Edith Windsor’s Fight for Same-Sex Marriage Recognition
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
Federal Assistance Programs are Running Out of Money
Social Security and Medicare, are the two most expensive federal social programs, and it has been recently announced that they will run out of money three years earlier than original estimates indicated. Trustees estimated that Social Security will run out of funds in the year 2033, and Medicare will be insolvent in 2024. More and… Continue reading Federal Assistance Programs are Running Out of Money
Do You Need to Update Your Advance Directive (Living Will)?
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)?
The Problems with Handwritten Wills
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
Why A Joint Will Is A Bad Idea.
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.
Resolutions
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
Estate Planning for Pets! Oklahoma Pet Trusts.
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.
SCOTUS
The Supreme Court of the United States' (SCOTUS) October session started yesterday, October 3rd. I was looking forward to this term, since there are a lot of interesting and important cases coming up on the Court's docket. There are 48 cases on the Court's docket thus far. There are, however, plenty of important cases being… Continue reading SCOTUS