Your farm or ranch may reflect years of hard work and hold much of your family's wealth. But what happens to the operation when you retire or pass away? Without an estate plan, your family may face tough choices about who gets the land, who manages the equipment and...
A will is an important legal document that specifies how an individual wants to allocate their property and assets once they pass away. Although a will does not inherently expire, its validity can be impacted by different life events. In this blog, we will share three...
Heirs or beneficiaries who expect to inherit from an estate often can't wait for probate proceedings to end. The personal representative overseeing estate administration likely needs to delay the distribution of high-value resources until they have a clear view of the...
Planning your estate is an essential part of life because it gives you a sense of certainty about the future. Some key elements that individuals leverage when putting their affairs in order are wills and trusts. You might wonder if you should establish a will and a...
Guardianships are often only a topic of discussion after someone's condition declines significantly. Family members and professional caregivers don't usually seek out guardianships over nothing. Instead, they take action when they have reason to worry that someone...
A comprehensive estate plan can – among other things – help your loved ones to handle your affairs according to your wishes after you pass away. Estate planning can serve as a way that you can make your wishes known to them in a manner that can be upheld by the...
As people usher in the new year, it is natural to reflect on the past and contemplate resolutions for the future. While estate planning might not be at the top of your list of exciting things to do, taking a moment to review and update your estate plan is a crucial...
Every estate plan includes unique terms and specific documents based on a testator's priorities. An individual’s plan may include a variety of different documents based on their desires to support their loved ones or distribute their property a certain way, as well as...
When someone turns 18 in South Dakota, they are a legal adult with full responsibility for their own actions and personal choices. The process of becoming a truly independent adult is often a slow transition while someone completes their education or develops a...
Most of the time, probate largely focuses on reviewing someone's last wishes and carrying them out after satisfying their obligations. However, sometimes, estate administration ends up triggering major family conflicts wherein siblings turn on one another or...