The loss of a spouse is generally followed by a period of grief during which it can be difficult to focus on practical and legal tasks. If you find yourself dealing with the loss of a spouse, however, there are some important estate plan changes that you probably need to make as soon as possible. To help you get started, the Indianapolis estate planning lawyers at Frank & Kraft discuss estate plan updates for a surviving spouse. Your Last Will and Testament Along with removing your … [Read more...] about Estate Plan Updates for a Surviving Spouse
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Is It Better to Gift Assets Now or After You Are Gone?
Building your asset portfolio will likely be an important goal during your lifetime. Along with ensuring that you are financially secure when you retire, you probably do this in the hope that you will also be able to pass down assets to children and/or grandchildren. If you are planning to pass down assets, deciding when to pass them down is something you need to consider. Whether assets are passed down during your lifetime or after your death can directly impact your personal taxes while you … [Read more...] about Is It Better to Gift Assets Now or After You Are Gone?
Can a Trust Beneficiary Sell Her Interest in the Trust Assets?
The beneficiaries of a trust have a current or future legal ownership interest in the assets held by the trust. The trust terms will dictate when the beneficiaries receive distributions from the trust and how much they receive. Sometimes, however, a beneficiary wants or needs the value of her interest in the trust prior to the scheduled distribution. That brings up the issue of a beneficiary’s ability to sell her interest in a trust. The Indianapolis trust attorneys at Frank & Kraft … [Read more...] about Can a Trust Beneficiary Sell Her Interest in the Trust Assets?
How to Include Out of State Property in Your Estate Plan
Creating a comprehensive estate plan that functions as intended can be quite the undertaking; however, it is all the best gift you can give to yourself and your loved ones. If you own property outside the State of Indiana, it is imperative that you include that property in your estate plan. To explain why it is important and how it can be accomplished, the Indianapolis estate planning lawyers at Frank & Kraft discuss how to include out of state property in your estate plan. Do You Own … [Read more...] about How to Include Out of State Property in Your Estate Plan
Can I Sell My Interest in a Trust?
As you may already know, a Last Will and Testament is not the only estate planning tool available for gifting assets to loved ones or other beneficiaries. Many people choose to use a living trust in addition to, or in lieu of, a Will to pass down estate assets. One reason people often choose to use a trust to distribute assets is the ability to direct when assets are distributed and even how assets are used by the beneficiaries. The benefit you gain by being able to dictate how trust assets are … [Read more...] about Can I Sell My Interest in a Trust?
How to Include Cryptocurrency in Your Estate Plan
By now, almost everyone has at least heard the term “cryptocurrency” and some people actively buy, sell, and use cryptocurrency on a regular basis. If you own cryptocurrency, how does it fit into your estate plan? To help shed some light on the subject, the Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft explain some cryptocurrency basics and discuss how to include it in your estate plan. What Is Cryptocurrency? If you were born before the Millennial generation, cryptocurrency … [Read more...] about How to Include Cryptocurrency in Your Estate Plan
Estate Planning 101 for the Beginner
Estate planning can be a daunting process the first time around for many people. Ideally, your estate plan should incorporate a wide range of goals and objectives into one comprehensive plan. That plan may utilize numerous estate planning tools and strategies, all of which can seem overwhelming. To help you feel more at ease with getting started on your estate plan, Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft offer some estate planning basics for the beginner. Define your … [Read more...] about Estate Planning 101 for the Beginner
What You Need to Know about Long-Term Care Insurance and Medicaid Planning
Although most of us prefer to envision living out our retirement years in our own home, the reality is that long-term care could be necessary at some point which makes planning for how you will pay for that care an important part of your estate plan. The Indianapolis Medicaid planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft discuss the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing long-term care insurance to cover the high cost of long-term care. Why Do I Need to Plan for Long-Term Care? The … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about Long-Term Care Insurance and Medicaid Planning
What Is Portability?
Estate planning involves more than just deciding how your assets will be distributed after your death. If you have a moderate to large estate, one of your estate planning goals should be to avoid losing part of that estate to federal gift and estate taxes. To do that, you need to understand how the tax works and what tools and strategies are available to help reduce your estate’s tax obligation. Toward that end, an Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains the concept … [Read more...] about What Is Portability?
How Does Divorce Impact Your Estate Plan?
The aftermath of a divorce – or even the prospect of a divorce – can have a dramatic impact on everyone involved. The financial ramifications alone can last for years to come. If there are significant assets involved, the financial fallout from a divorce will almost certainly impact your estate plan as well. Whether you are simply being prudent and planning for the possibility of a future divorce or you have recently gone through a divorce, you need to consider the estate planning ramifications. … [Read more...] about How Does Divorce Impact Your Estate Plan?
