When asked, most people acknowledge the importance of having at least a basic estate plan in place. Nevertheless, many of those same people have yet to get started on their plan. One common explanation for this seeming disparity is that people are intimidated by the unfamiliar language and concepts used in estate planning. One way to make the process less intimidating, therefore, is to learn some of the terminology. With that in mind, the Westport estate planning attorneys at Nirenstein, … [Read more...]
Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent a Will Contest
For most people, a Last Will and Testament serves as the foundation of their estate plan. It is typically the first estate planning document to be created and may be the only document within an estate plan for many years. One of the primary reasons for executing a Will is to ensure that your estate assets are distributed pursuant to your wishes when you are gone. A Will contest, however, could threaten those wishes. The Glastonbury estate planning attorneys at Nirenstein, Horowitz & … [Read more...]
529 Plans: Planning for Education with a Tax and Asset Protection Bonus
Planning is important when providing for your children or grandchildren. But planning for their education has special importance and may have special advantages. This article looks at how 529 plans may have tax advantages when providing for education. Further, the article looks at how such a plan may provide asset protection in bankruptcy, as well.529 Plans: Planning for Education with a Tax and Asset Protection Bonus … [Read more...]
Planning for Education Expenses
Planning is important when providing for your children or grandchildren. But planning for their education has special importance and may have special advantages. This article looks at how a trust can be used to provide for your child or grandchild’s education. The article looks at how a trust can protect those funds.Planning for Education Expenses … [Read more...]
Planning for Special Needs Children
Planning is important when providing for any of your children. But planning is even more important for special needs children. Without proper planning, an inheritance can jeopardize a special needs child’s needs-based benefits, such as SSI or Medicaid. Read on to learn more about planning for special needs children.Planning for Special Needs Children … [Read more...]
Planning for the Unexpected
It’s important to have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, your state law dictates who gets your property and makes decisions for you. Read on to learn more about the prevalence of unexpected deaths and an example of what can happen without planning.Planning for the Unexpected … [Read more...]
How Do I Prove Lack of Testamentary Capacity in a Will Contest?
When a loved one passes away, it can be difficult to accept the loss. Sometimes, the grieving process is made even more difficult as a result of concerns surrounding the decedent’s state of mind at the time he/she executed a Last Will and Testament. When that happens, it adds uncertainty and confusion to your already heightened emotions. If you are worried, how do you prove that your loved one did not have the requisite testamentary capacity to execute his/her Will? You will need to contest the … [Read more...]
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Reminds Us that Seniors May Be at Risk
The month of September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in the United States. The idea is to bring awareness to the issue in the hope of reaching those who might be at risk of committing suicide. The Westport elder law attorneys at Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates, P.C. remind us that seniors may be most at risk during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The Unspoken Risk of Senior Suicide Not all that long ago suicide was one of those subjects no one … [Read more...]
3 Reasons to Use a Living Trust to Distribute Your Estate
Like most people, you probably relied on a Last Will and Testament to take care of distributing your estate assets in your original estate plan. If your estate and/or your family has grown since you created that initial plan, it may be time to consider another option for distributing your estate assets. The Westport estate planning attorneys at Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates, P.C. offer three reasons to use a living trust instead of a Will to distribute the majority of your estate … [Read more...]
Which Type of Life Insurance Is Right for Me?
For most people, life insurance plays an important role in their estate plan. It can, however, play very different roles within that plan. The purpose a life insurance policy has within your estate plan will determine, to a large extent, which type of insurance you should purpose. Understanding the different types of life insurance policies available is clearly important. With that in mind, the Hartford probate attorneys at Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates, P.C. explain some of the most … [Read more...]
