When buying real property, many purchasers focus on the contract, financing, and closing date. One item that is often treated as optional is the survey. In many transactions, that is a mistake. A survey helps confirm exactly what you are buying and can uncover problems that may not appear from the record alone. One of the biggest reasons to get a survey is to confirm boundary lines. A fence, driveway, tree line, or other visible marker may not reflect the true property line.

Many people believe estate planning is only for individuals with large or complex estates. In reality, the better questions are much simpler. Do you own real estate? Do you have life insurance? Do you have children? If the answer to any of those questions is "Yes," estate planning matters. If a life insurance policy does not have a properly designated beneficiary, the proceeds may become part of what is legally considered your estate. That can result in unnecessary delay, add