Estate planning has taken on a different flavor during the digital age. We obviously exist and interact in the physical world, but most of us do the same in the digital world. As a result you must consider all of your online accounts when you are planning your estate. When you are engaged in the process of estate planning, you would do well to take stock of all of your assets and liabilities. You may well conduct a lot of business online so you must inventory your online … [Read more...] about Google Addresses Digital Estate Planning
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Answers to Three Common Questions About Probate
Probate is a mystery to many people when they first start to look into the subject of estate planning. In an effort to clear the haze a bit we would like to answer three common questions about probate here. 1.) In a general sense, how would probate be defined? Probate is a legal process. The probate court in the jurisdiction within which a deceased individual passes away supervises the administration of his or her estate. 2.) What does this administration … [Read more...] about Answers to Three Common Questions About Probate
Retirement Planning: Revise and React
When you are a young adult you have a unique opportunity to develop a long-term financial plan that leads to a comfortable retirement. Clearly, the more time you have to save the more likely it is that you will be successful and ultimately reach your goals. Unfortunately, when people are young they may be more prone to live in the moment without thinking ahead toward the future. As a result, in many cases this opportunity is lost. Even those who did take the necessary steps may be … [Read more...] about Retirement Planning: Revise and React
Highest Court Considering Windsor Case
Because of provisions contained within Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, marriages between people of the same sex are not recognized by the federal government. This is true regardless of where the marriages are in fact sanctioned. This has estate planning implications because there is an unlimited marital estate tax exemption. Heterosexual people who are married can leave any amount of money to their spouses without incurring any estate tax liability. Legally married … [Read more...] about Highest Court Considering Windsor Case
Giving Taxable Gifts? IRS Must Be Notified
Last year there was an incentive for people to give large gifts to their loved ones. The gift tax is unified with the estate tax, and in 2012 the unified exclusion was $5.12 million, and the maximum rate was 35%. Throughout 2012, the existing laws would have resulted in an increase in the top rate to 55% and a reduction in the exclusion to $1 million in 2013. Let's say that you had $5 million in total wealth. You could give substantial gifts to people who would otherwise be … [Read more...] about Giving Taxable Gifts? IRS Must Be Notified
Make Charitable Gifts Count
You may want to give to charity when you are planning your estate. Your legacy could then live on after your passing as some of your resources are utilized to make the world a better place. If you do have philanthropic aims you have to decide on a vehicle or vehicles of charitable giving. One option is the creation of a private foundation. When you look into the subject you may be surprised to hear that most of these foundations don't have any employees, and the majority of them … [Read more...] about Make Charitable Gifts Count
Autism Awareness Month Raises Planning Questions
Autism is a developmental disability that strikes with alarming frequency these days. Autism is called a "spectrum disorder," meaning that there is no one consistent symptom. Instead, individuals with autism exhibit one or more of the behaviors associated with the disorder, and the severity of the symptoms will vary person by person. In many cases people with autism require care and treatment throughout their lives. This can be extraordinarily expensive, reaching well into … [Read more...] about Autism Awareness Month Raises Planning Questions
Three Estate Planning Errors to Avoid
Sometimes people make errors of commission or omission that come back to haunt them or their families. We would like to take a look at three common estate planning errors in an effort to bring them to your attention so you can take steps to avoid them. 1.) The Creation of a Do-It-Yourself Estate Plan This is an error that is becoming increasingly common in the age of the Internet. Doing things for yourself can be personally rewarding, and it can sometimes save you money. … [Read more...] about Three Estate Planning Errors to Avoid
Are You Leaving Children Unequal Bequests?
When you are engaged in the process of inheritance planning you are going to be faced with the prospect of making some important and potentially sensitive decisions. Exactly how much you are going to give to each person on your inheritance list is one of them. It can seem as though it is only fair to give each of your children equal inheritances. Many people go this route regardless of the relative financial situation that each respective child may be in, and there is certainly … [Read more...] about Are You Leaving Children Unequal Bequests?
Speak With Attorney After Spouse Passes
Estate planning is a long-term process, and this is one of the reasons why you should think in terms of developing an ongoing working relationship with your estate planning attorney from the start. Things change in your life, and invariably these changes are going to call for estate plan updates. Some of the changes are quite positive, such as additions to the family or an improved financial standing. Unfortunately, others are necessary because someone that you love passes … [Read more...] about Speak With Attorney After Spouse Passes
