Think – Before You Add Someone Onto Title
by Tina Triano, Esq.
In preparing estate plans, it is not unusual for me to find older individuals who, for one reason or another, have placed one of their children or a new spouse onto the title of their real estate. Many individuals believe there is little harm in this procedure, but it can become a large problem after your death.
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Know What 'No' Means
By Marc Hopkins
You applied for a loan and were told that you do not qualify. What should you do? The biggest mistake that most people make is accepting that answer and giving up. A no answer may be the end of that road, but it does not mean it can’t be the beginning of a new one. Now is an important time to pause in the face of disappointment and ask “Why?” ...read more.

Potential Problems with Real Estate Title
by Tina Triano, Esq.
[archive] In the years that I have been preparing estate plans, I have had the same problem arise several times. I recently re-encountered this problem again just a few weeks ago. A client, the sole beneficiary of a trust, came to discuss the sale of a house. His parents, both deceased, owned a house that he was unable to sell because the property was not titled in their trust. It was still owned by his parents. His parents had refinanced a few years back and no one had bothered to put the property back into the trust. As a result, he is going to need the probate court to confirm the house is an asset of the trust before a title company will insure a sale to a buyer. Wasn’t the point of creating a trust to avoid probate?
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I Should Refinance When…
By Marc Hopkins
[archive] Whether the market is going up or down, I am constantly asked if it is the right time to refinance. It is a very individual decision, but there are some key indicators to help you decide. All loans and personal circumstances are different, so, while these are good guidelines, you should talk to a loan officer you can trust to see what is right for you. ...read more.