Legal

About 100,000 Ohio grandparents are raising their grandchildren, and many more people are considered kinship caregivers: older siblings, cousins and other relatives with full-time responsibility for children whose own parents are unable to care for them. ...

A relative of mine inherited a houseful of stuff from a beloved, but hoarding-minded friend. He's spent years (two so far) going through each box and stash of things, picking through to find whatever valuables he can salvage from the mess. ...

As I dig through delicate sets of dishes, tools, blankets and holiday decorations at estate sales, I'm a Peeping Tom into someone else's life. Did someone who sews live here? A woodworker? A gourmet cook? Before someone like me starts rummaging through an estate sale at your family home, consider this advice. ...

From handwritten notes scribbled on a napkin to a self-made video or last utterances to a companion in the final seconds before death, communicating someone's last wishes have always fueled imaginations in the entertainment industry. But what actually makes a will valid? ...

I used to think will disputes were for rich people, a pesky but predictable byproduct of privilege, like champagne stains on fine linen shirts. But the older I get, the more I realize that lousy adult children and broken relationships can affect all families, and wills, regardless of wealth. A will is vital for estate planning, no matter how much money or property you have. ...

Mobsters, a family-owned brewery, friendships and the best sport you haven't played. Our July/August issue, which comes out next week, covers a lot of territory. Look for it online or pick up a copy at your local library, rec center, medical office or Giant Eagle, Marc's and Discount Drug Mart stores throughout Northeast Ohio.  ...

Parents usually want to leave their children equal shares of their estate, but equal isn’t always fair. If you plan to provide more (or less) for one child in your estate plan, preparation is important.  ...

Gifting assets to your grandchildren can do more than help your descendants get a good start in life. It can also reduce the size of your estate and the tax that will be due upon your death. ...