The impact of the estate tax is a matter of great concern when you are planning your estate, and the first thing you have to determine is whether or not your estate is subject to it. The current exclusion amount is $5 million so if your estate is worth less than this it is not exposed to the estate tax. If it is worth more, the portion that exceeds the exempt amount is subject to a 35% federal levy. Does this mean that you do not have to concern yourself with the estate tax if … [Read more...] about Avoiding Multiple Estate Tax Levies
Blog
Elder Law Considerations
When you are in the process of planning your estate you are very likely to see a bigger picture. Retirement planning, making preparations for your twilight years, and estate planning all walk hand-in-hand. This is why it is a good idea to identify an estate planning attorney that has a wide focus early on to help you chart a course for the future that addresses all of the eventualities of aging. If you set goals and work toward them over a number of years you will be able to enjoy … [Read more...] about Elder Law Considerations
A Revocable Living Trust Can Enable Probate Avoidance
When you come to the conclusion that it is time to take action and put an estate plan in place one of the things that you are going to have to decide on will be the vehicle or vehicles of asset transfer. To many people this equates to the creation of a last will, but a last will is not your only option. In fact, a lot of people would say that it is not the best choice because your estate has to pass through probate when you use a last will as your primary asset transfer … [Read more...] about A Revocable Living Trust Can Enable Probate Avoidance
Ongoing Legislative Changes & Your Estate Plan
One of the things about estate planning that you would do well to recognize early on is the fact that it is an ongoing process. Things within your own life do not stand still, and significant life changes are going to make certain aspects of your existing estate plan obsolete. For example, if you were to get divorced you would probably want to change things around considerably. Then if you were to remarry, your family dynamic would change again and you would inevitably want to … [Read more...] about Ongoing Legislative Changes & Your Estate Plan
Estate Planning: Pets Must Be Provided For Too
Estate planning is part of the broader legal specialty of elder law, so estate planning attorneys stay abreast of all of the issues that are relevant to seniors. Clearly, the health and well-being of our nations elders is a matter of great importance. From a psychological perspective, seniors can sometimes experience loneliness and the loss of a sense of purpose once they are retired and their family members have become independent. Clearly, this can lead to depression, and … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: Pets Must Be Provided For Too
The “Three R's” Of Estate Planning
We have all heard of the "Three R's" as they apply to education, but there are another set of R's that are relevant to the topic of estate planning. And unlike reading, writing, and arithmetic, these three actually all do begin with the letter R.Recognition The first step along a path is to recognize the fact that you need to get on the path in the first place. Many people procrastinate when it comes to estate planning, feeling as though it is something that you can always think … [Read more...] about The “Three R's” Of Estate Planning
Incapacity Planning: Sooner Rather Than Later
Estate planning is something that adults of all ages should take seriously because no one can predict the future and any day could be your last. This having been said, without question estate planning is going to become more and more immediately relevant as you reach the latter stages of your life. Of course you are going to be very focused on making sure that your loved ones are provided for after you pass away, but there are some other things to take into consideration as … [Read more...] about Incapacity Planning: Sooner Rather Than Later
Elder Law Attorneys Light The Way
It is not uncommon for people to recognize the fact that they should have an estate plan in place but simply drag their feet because they don't know where to begin. This is understandable, because estate planning can indeed be a daunting task for the uninitiated. For this reason the intelligent course of action is to work with an elder law attorney from the outset who has the experience that it takes to set you on the appropriate course given the specifics of your situation. One … [Read more...] about Elder Law Attorneys Light The Way
The “Zeroed Out” GRAT
When you think about it from a purely innocent and objective standpoint, it would seem as though estate planning is the easiest thing in the world. All you have to do is take assets that belonged to you and have them transferred to someone else after you pass away. How hard can this be? The reality is that it may not be that difficult to make this happen from a legal perspective, but the problem lies in the expenses that can be incurred while doing so. Between the estate tax … [Read more...] about The “Zeroed Out” GRAT
Estate Planning Attorney A Must For Blended Families
Estate planning can be rather complex for anyone depending on the scope of your assets, the way they are positioned, and the specific nature of your wishes. This is why it is always going to be advisable to retain the services of an estate planning attorney when you are making preparations for the future. To be able to plan effectively you must be aware of all the tools that are available to you and know how and when you should use them. Estate planning attorneys are faced with … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Attorney A Must For Blended Families
