If you have an initial estate planning consultation scheduled you should know what to expect. Your attorney is going to ask certain questions to determine what your needs are and gather the information that he or she requires to properly address these needs. Previously Executed Estate Planning Documents For one thing, you should inform your attorney about any previously existing estate planning documents that you may have signed in the past. When an estate is being administered there … [Read more...] about Do You Have an Estate Planning Consultation Scheduled?
Blog
Jerry Buss Leaves Lasting Laker Legacy
It may be difficult to empathize with people who have what many of us would consider to be very pleasant problems. However, the estate tax can in fact place a roadblock between you and your legacy. Imagine a situation where someone has invested his or her entire life into building a sports franchise. This person’s family members have been involved in the operation of the team. The team becomes almost synonymous with the family name. Over the years the team grows in value, … [Read more...] about Jerry Buss Leaves Lasting Laker Legacy
Three Things a Revocable Living Trust Won’t Do For You
There are some very useful things that revocable living trusts can do for you when you are planning your estate. One of them is the ability to address the possibility of incapacity. Around 40% of people who are at least 85 are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and of course this is not the only cause of incapacitation. So, incapacity planning is a must. With these trusts you can choose a disability trustee, and this individual or entity would be empowered to handle the assets … [Read more...] about Three Things a Revocable Living Trust Won’t Do For You
Three FAQs About Revocable Living Trusts
Some people who have heard about the existence of revocable living trusts shy away from them because they don't understand exactly how they work. There is no reason to decide against something before you understand the facts. You can always schedule a free consultation with our firm to learn about revocable living trusts, and we invite you to do so if you are interested. Let's take a look at three frequently asked questions about revocable living trusts here. Do I surrender … [Read more...] about Three FAQs About Revocable Living Trusts
Combine These Figures to See a Profound Picture
Many people assume that it will be easy to live inexpensively during their twilight years. You may have already crossed everything off of your bucket list at that point in terms of costly travel and adventure. Medicare will be there to handle health care expenses, and you may expect to own your own home and vehicles outright. As a result you may anticipate limited expenses. In truth, adopting the above perspective is a trap of sorts. What about long-term care? Medicare … [Read more...] about Combine These Figures to See a Profound Picture
Studies Reveal Trend Toward Reduced Inheritances
There is an interesting trend that researchers are finding regarding the inheritances that members of the baby boomer generation will be receiving. These are the people who were born between 1946 in 1964, and they are incrementally reaching their mid-60s, which is of course the approximate age of retirement for most individuals. Merrill Lynch surveyed a sampling of individuals who are in possession of at least $250,000 of investment assets over a period of time. In 2009, 54% of … [Read more...] about Studies Reveal Trend Toward Reduced Inheritances
Have You Heard of All of These Wills?
In the field of estate planning most people are aware of the existence of wills and trusts. What they may not be cognizant of is the fact that there are a number of different types of wills and trusts. We will look at some of the more commonly utilized trusts in a different post, but let's take a glance at four different types of wills. Living Will: An Advance Directive for Health Care Since there is such a thing as a living trust there can be some confusion about the purpose of a … [Read more...] about Have You Heard of All of These Wills?
Tax Relief Act Positively Impacts Some Farm Families
The movie Secretariat is entertaining for horse racing fans and casual observers alike, but it is also instructive from an estate planning perspective. If you saw the movie you know that the family that owned and bred Secretariat was faced with the prospect of selling their farm just to pay the estate tax when family patriarch Christopher Chenery passed away. There are those who say that the estate tax is something that only rich people have to think about. In fact, there are many … [Read more...] about Tax Relief Act Positively Impacts Some Farm Families
Consider a Charitable Lead Trust
There are various different ways to incorporate charitable giving into a comprehensive estate plan. While giving is its own reward on a particular level, without question many people are more or less compelled to give to charity because of the tax advantages. One of the devices that can be utilized to great advantage, especially during our current era when interest rates are low, is a charitable lead trust. We will endeavor to provide a very simple, surface explanation here but we … [Read more...] about Consider a Charitable Lead Trust
The Value of Post-Marital Agreements
Premarital agreements can be very useful from an estate planning perspective. This is particularly true for people who are entering into second or third marriages after having children from previous marriages. If you simply allow all assets that you bring into the marriage to become community resources you are doing nothing to protect the interests of your children. There are no guarantees with regard to what your spouse would choose to do with the assets if you were to die … [Read more...] about The Value of Post-Marital Agreements
