Beyond the Bottom Line: An Ethical Will Shares Your Legacy Estate planning represents more than just the distribution of assets; it's about preserving and passing down a lifetime of wisdom, values, and experiences to future generations. While traditional wills handle material possessions, an ethical will—also known as a legacy letter—provides a powerful complement to standard … [Read more...] about Ethical Wills: Passing Down Values Alongside Valuables
Estate Law
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An Estate Planning Guide for Oklahoma Investors with Global Assets The globalization of wealth management has transformed estate planning into an increasingly sophisticated discipline. For Oklahoma residents maintaining international investment portfolios, real estate holdings, or business interests abroad, the complexity of cross-border estate planning demands careful … [Read more...] about Addressing International Assets in Your Estate Plan
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Protecting Your Legacy When Your Executor Cannot Serve Estate planning represents more than just distributing assets - it's about ensuring your final wishes are carried out exactly as you intend. In Oklahoma, the role of an executor carries significant legal weight and responsibilities. Recent probate court statistics indicate that approximately 15% of estates face … [Read more...] about Contingency Planning: What Happens if Your Executor Cannot Serve
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Protecting Your Loved One's Future: Understanding Special Needs Trusts in Oklahoma For families caring for dependents with disabilities, few legal tools prove as useful as a Special Needs Trust. This specialized estate planning instrument helps Oklahoma families provide for loved ones while preserving their eligibility for essential government benefits. Understanding how these … [Read more...] about Establishing a Special Needs Trust for Dependents
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Protecting Your Family's Legacy Through Tax-Efficient Asset Distribution in Oklahoma Estate planning represents more than just distributing assets - it's about preserving a lifetime of hard work and ensuring loved ones receive their intended inheritance without unnecessary tax burden. For Oklahoma families, understanding how to structure asset distribution can mean the … [Read more...] about Structuring Asset Distribution to Minimize Tax Liability
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Changing or Updating Your Will in Oklahoma Life changes, and your estate plan should too. While many Oklahoma residents understand the importance of having a will, fewer realize they can modify their existing will without starting from scratch. A legal document called a codicil offers a straightforward way to update your will while maintaining its core structure and … [Read more...] about Codicils: Modifying a Will without Starting Over
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Tips on Drafting Oklahoma Wills The decision to create a will represents one of life's most significant steps toward easing burdens on loved ones during a difficult time. Recent studies show that over 60% of Americans lack even a basic will, leaving their families vulnerable to lengthy probate proceedings and potential legal complications. In Oklahoma, proper estate planning … [Read more...] about Drafting a Will: Essential Steps and Legal Considerations
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https://youtu.be/CGuzzHVLCvQ Essential Steps to Claim Your Inherited Property Hi, I'm Oklahoma City probate attorney Meg Prestidge and I'd like to talk to you today about how to claim your share of a decedent's interest after a joint tenant has passed. Joint tenancy is a form of property ownership where two or more individuals hold equal shares. When one joint tenant dies, … [Read more...] about Claiming Your Share After Joint Tenancy: A Step-By-Step Guide
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/W3SeDaWlbGg Understanding Affidavit of Death and Heirship Limitations Hi, I'm Oklahoma City probate attorney Meg Prestidge and I want to talk to you today about the Affidavit of Death and Heirship. The use of the Affidavit of Death and Heirship has a very narrow statutory use and it's for severed oil and gas interests. The Affidavit has been recorded though … [Read more...] about Understanding Affidavit of Death and Heirship: What You Need To Know
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https://youtu.be/H3I0c7GZI44 Understanding Different Types of Trusts Hi, I'm Oklahoma attorney Meg Prestidge, and I want to answer a question that I get asked often: what is the difference between a revocable living trust, a testamentary trust, and an irrevocable trust? A revocable living trust is created during your lifetime, and it is exactly like it says—it's revocable … [Read more...] about Revocable vs. Testamentary vs. Irrevocable Trusts: Key Differences Explained
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/ubqLWJSjwrQ Understanding Living Revocable Trusts: An Overview Hi, I'm Oklahoma trust attorney Meg Prestidge and today I want to talk to you about creating a living revocable trust. A living revocable trust is created by you and generally your spouse to make sure that your assets are distributed in accordance with your wishes and distributed even during your … [Read more...] about Living Revocable Trusts Explained: Benefits, Drawbacks, and How They Work
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https://youtu.be/dlGUGuoT4xM Life Estates: A Key Estate Planning Tool Hi, I'm Oklahoma estate planning attorney Meg Prestidge and today I want to talk to you about the use of a tool in your estate planning called the life estate. This arrangement allows you to retain your interest in the property during your lifetime while identifying remaindermen to whom you wish the … [Read more...] about Understanding Life Estates: What They Are and How They Work in Estate Planning
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/XklP3TFhj3g Basics of Estate Planning Hi, I'm Oklahoma estate plan attorney Meg Prestidge and today I want to talk to you about the difference between transfer on death deeds versus joint tenancy ownership in Oklahoma. Both a transfer on death deed provision and joint tenancy ownership are recognized methods of transferring assets. Joint ownership involves … [Read more...] about Transfer on Death Deed vs. Joint Tenancy: Which Is Better for Your Estate Planning?
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/Tk-2xtCm_y0 Understanding Holographic Wills: Key Insights Hi, I'm Oklahoma City will drafting attorney Meg Prestage and I want to talk to you today about the holographic will or handwritten will. I get asked a lot, are those valid? And yes, they're valid under certain circumstances. Holographic wills must be written entirely in your own handwriting, be … [Read more...] about Everything You Need To Know about Holographic Wills: Validity, Benefits, & Risks
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https://youtu.be/mSFX2ixaGPg Understanding Your Estate Planning Options Hi, I'm Oklahoma Attorney Meg Prestidge and I want to talk to you today about the last will and testament for an individual versus entering into a trust for estate planning purposes. The difference between a will and a trust is in your will, you name your heirs and who you want to be the executor of your … [Read more...] about Last Will vs. Trust: Which Is Best for Your Estate Plan?
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https://youtu.be/f_3s8qn892w Explore Strategies to Bypass Oklahoma Probate Hi, I'm Oklahoma probate attorney Meg Prestage and I want to talk to you today about different ways to avoid probate in Oklahoma. There are several tools at your disposal that you can use to simplify the transfer of your assets after your death. One method is called joint ownership, which allows you … [Read more...] about How To Avoid Probate in Oklahoma: Essential Tips & Strategies
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/uDPgyIt1plY Steps to Secure Your Inherited Property After a Joint Tenant’s Passing Hi, I'm Oklahoma City attorney Meg Prestidge and I'd like to talk to you today about how to claim your share of a decedent's interest after a joint tenant has passed. The process may seem daunting, but it can be straightforward with the right guidance. The first step you … [Read more...] about How to Claim Your Share of a Dissident Interest After the Passing of a Joint Tenant
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/IX5olKMEzOU Understanding the Legal Use and Limitations of Affidavits in Oklahoma Hi, I'm Oklahoma City attorney Meg Prestidge and I want to talk to you today about the Affidavit of Death and Heirship. The use of the Affidavit of Death and Heirship has a very narrow statutory use and it's specifically for severed oil and gas interests. After an affidavit … [Read more...] about The Affidavit of Death and Heirship
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/F6RBcqx3lL0 Understanding Trust Types: Key Differences Explained Simply Hi, I'm Oklahoma City attorney Meg Prestidge, and I want to answer a question that I get asked often: what is the difference between a revocable living trust, a testamentary trust, and an irrevocable trust? A revocable living trust is created during your lifetime, and it is exactly like … [Read more...] about Understanding the Differences: Revocable Living Trusts, Testamentary Trusts, and Irrevocable Trusts
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/nMBIN7R5BrY Living Trusts: A Comprehensive Guide for Oklahoma Residents Hi, I'm Oklahoma City attorney Meg Prestidge and today I want to talk to you about creating a living revocable trust. A living revocable trust is created by you and generally your spouse to make sure that your assets are distributed in accordance with your wishes and distributed even … [Read more...] about Creating a Living Revocable Trust
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/KMakFM-tPiw Understanding the Role of Life Estates in Estate Planning Hi, I'm Oklahoma City estate planning attorney Meg Prestige and today I want to talk to you about the use of a tool in your estate planning called the life estate. This arrangement allows you to retain your interest in the property during your lifetime while designating remainder men to … [Read more...] about The Use Of A Tool in Estate Planning: The Life Estate
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/PnSRJaEjdMA Flexible Estate Planning: Transfer on Death Deeds and Joint Tenancy Explained Hi, I'm Oklahoma estate planning attorney Meg Prestidge and today I want to talk to you about the difference between transfer on death deeds versus joint tenancy ownership in Oklahoma. Both a transfer on death deed provision and joint tenancy ownership are recognized … [Read more...] about The Difference On A Transfer On Death Deed V.S. Joint Tendency Ownership In Oklahoma
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/k6W5WDpkgPE Holographic Wills: Proper Execution and Legal Considerations Hi, I'm Oklahoma attorney Meg Prestidge and I want to talk to you today about the holographic will or handwritten will. I get asked a lot, are those valid? And yes, they're valid under certain circumstances. They must be written entirely in your own handwriting, be dated and signed by … [Read more...] about A Holographic Will A.K.A Handwritten Will
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/lTmUBr6g7Nc Understanding Estate Planning: Wills vs. Trusts – Key Insights Hi, I'm Oklahoma Attorney Meg Prestidge and I want to talk to you today about the last will for an individual versus entering into a trust for estate planning purposes. The difference between a will and a trust is significant, especially when it comes to managing your estate after your … [Read more...] about The Last Will and Testament for an Individual V.S. Entering Into a Trust
Margarett "Meg" Prestidge, Esq.
https://youtu.be/On-V05IhZYY Ensuring Smooth Asset Transfer: How to Avoid Probate in Oklahoma Hi, I'm Oklahoma attorney Meg Prestige and I want to talk to you today about different ways to avoid probate in Oklahoma. There are several tools at your disposal that you can use. One is called joint ownership, where you put property into joint tenancy with generally a husband and … [Read more...] about Different Ways to Avoid Probate in Oklahoma
Dustin D. Peterson, Esq.
Organize Your Wishes A living will, also known as an advanced healthcare directive is an important legal document that states your choices for medical treatment in the event that you become incapacitated or suffer an injury that prevents you from making decisions about your own care. Wirth Law Office - Oklahoma City is aware of how crucial this legal tool is to protecting … [Read more...] about The Process and Benefits of Creating a Living Will in OKC, Oklahoma
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Estate Administration for Oklahoma City Residents Estate settlement marks an emotion transition period for families following the loss of a loved one. The process requires careful navigation of legal requirements, financial obligations, and family dynamics. Understanding the roles of executors and administrators can help Oklahoma families prepare for this challenging … [Read more...] about The Role of Executors and Administrators in Estate Settlements
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Probate can be expensive and time consuming for those who survive your death and will inherit your estate. However, there are a number of steps you can take now to insure that the bulk of your estate passes on directly to your decedents without the expense and complications of going through probate. Here is a brief survey of the top four ways to avoid probate in Oklahoma … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Avoid Probate In Oklahoma City