Losing the ability to work can have a devastating impact on you and your family, particularly if your income is a significant contributor to the family finances. It could happen, however, at any age due to a physical or mental disability. The good news is that there are two federal assistance programs that may be able to help – the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The Indianapolis elder law attorneys at Frank & Kraft help … [Read more...] about Understanding SSI and SSDI
Blog
Should You Establish a Grantor Retained Income Trust?
To ensure that your estate doesn’t lose assets to federal gift and estate taxes you may need to include tax avoidance strategies in your estate plan. One estate planning tool that can provide tax avoidance benefits is a Grantor Retained Income Trust, or GRIT. Always consult with your estate planning attorney before deciding what tools to incorporate into your estate plan. In the meantime, however, the Indianapolis trust attorneys at Frank & Kraft explain how a Grantor Retained Income Trust … [Read more...] about Should You Establish a Grantor Retained Income Trust?
What Can Go Wrong during Probate?
You have likely heard that your estate plan should be structured to avoid probate to the extent possible. Unless you have been through the probate process before, however, you may be wondering why so much estate planning time and effort is devoted to worrying about probate. What is it that can go wrong during probate? To help answer that question, an Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft discusses what can go wrong during probate and how a comprehensive estate plan can … [Read more...] about What Can Go Wrong during Probate?
How Can I Make Sure the Assets I Gift Are Used as Intended?
When you make gifts in your estate plan, you often have some idea how you hope those gifts are used by the recipients. In fact, it may be very important to you that assets are used in a specific way or for a specific purpose. One way to help make that happen is to gift the assets using an incentive trust. The Indianapolis trust attorneys at Frank & Kraft explain how an incentive trust can help ensure that assets you gift are used as intended. Trust Basics A trust is a fiduciary … [Read more...] about How Can I Make Sure the Assets I Gift Are Used as Intended?
5 Things Your Estate Planning Attorney Needs to Know
The decisions made when creating an estate plan are highly personal decisions. Understandably, it may be uncomfortable to discuss those decisions with others; however, you will need to share things with your estate planning attorney to create a successful estate plan that works as intended. In fact, failing to be completely open and honest with your attorney could jeopardize the success of your overall estate plan. With that in mind, the Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & … [Read more...] about 5 Things Your Estate Planning Attorney Needs to Know
Can I Do Anything to Prevent Someone from Contesting My Will?
One of the most important reasons for creating your Last Will and Testament was likely to ensure that your estate assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. If that Will is invalidated because of a Will contest, however, that State of Indiana (or your state of residence at the time of your death) will ultimately decide what happens to your assets. Can you do anything to prevent a Will contest? An Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explain what … [Read more...] about Can I Do Anything to Prevent Someone from Contesting My Will?
How Can My “In-Laws” Threaten My Assets?
A well-thought-out estate plan will help protect and grow your assets over the course of your lifetime to ensure that there are sufficient assets left at the end of your life to pass down to loved ones. For that reason, asset protection planning tools and strategies should be included in your estate plan. Some of the threats to your assets are well known; however, others are less obvious. An Indianapolis asset protection planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains how your in-laws … [Read more...] about How Can My “In-Laws” Threaten My Assets?
What Can I Do to Help My Estate Planning Attorney?
Working with an experienced estate planning attorney is the best way to ensure that your estate plan accomplishes all your goals and that it works as intended. Your attorney will provide you with advice and guidance during the creation of your estate plan; however, there are also things you can do to help your estate planning attorney to increase the overall success of your plan. Toward that end, a Carmel estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains what you can do to help your estate … [Read more...] about What Can I Do to Help My Estate Planning Attorney?
5 Important Steps to Take after an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Unfortunately, the odds are favorable that you, or someone close to you, will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at some point during your lifetime. Accepting, and adjusting to, the diagnosis takes time. Even knowing it is likely, you cannot prepare for the psychological impact of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. There are, however, some steps you can take following the diagnosis that will help everyone involved to manage the reality of life with Alzheimer’s. With that in mind, the experienced … [Read more...] about 5 Important Steps to Take after an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Should I Discuss My Estate Plan with My Family?
If you have an estate plan in place, you already recognize the numerous benefits an estate plan offers. Once your plan is in place, however, you may struggle with deciding how much (if any) of the details of that plan to share with beneficiaries and heirs of your estate. Ultimately, it is a very personal decision; however, the Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft discuss the advantages and disadvantages of discussing your estate plan with your family. Advantages of … [Read more...] about Should I Discuss My Estate Plan with My Family?
