When you own land, like a farm or a ranch, you also own what lies beneath the land – its mineral rights. In fact, you may even have sold off the land at some point but retained the severed mineral rights and the royalties that go along with them. How you convey your...
If you have a life insurance policy, the value of that policy may be higher than any other asset you own. Even if it is not, it is still going to be a very significant financial asset. You got the policy because you wanted to provide stability for your family, and you...
Every Montana estate plan is unique because it will reflect the family relationships and personal values of the testator drafting the documents. Still, most estate plans need to achieve two different objectives. They need to address what happens when someone dies and...
If you have carved out a ranch in Montana, you are likely quite proud of your operation. You may dream of passing the family ranch down to your children. Whether you hope that one of them will run the ranch on their own or that all of your children will share the land...
Many people understand why they would need a medical power of attorney. This document helps you if you're not able to make medical decisions. It legally chooses another person who has been granted the power to do so. They're known as your agent, and they can make...
If you asked most people about the connection between divorce and estate planning, they'd likely tell you there isn't any. After they gave the matter some thought, though, they may see where the two areas of the law intersect. Many spouses see life's many milestones,...
Early planning for your long-term care needs will pay off. If you run a business now, this is a good time to start talking to others about business succession and what you expect as you age. As a part of your long-term plans, you may include specific times when you...
Getting married is one of the top reasons that people sit down to create their first estate plan, although having children is also a compelling reason. New families can feel much more secure when the spouses or parents have an estate plan or last will in place. Quite...
Estate planning is not just about divvying up what you own among the people that you love. It is also the process that protects you if your health gets bad and solidifies protections for the people you care about both legally and emotionally. Too many people in...
For much of our lives we live in the moment. While we might plan for major life events and retirement, most people don’t give much thought to what life will look like for their loved one’s once they’re gone. As we age, though, concerns about our loved ones’ futures...
