We have all heard of so-called “trust fund babies.” These are children that are born into wealthy families who are beneficiaries of a living trust or some other type of trust. When you set up a trust for the benefit of a minor or an adult who cannot handle his or her own financial affairs … [Read More]
Streamline the Estate Administration Process
There is more to estate planning than the choices that you make with regard to the way you want your assets to be distributed after you are gone. It is wise to think holistically and envision the hands-on tasks that must be completed to make your wishes come to fruition. With this in mind, we … [Read More]
Estate Planning: Bryant Tragedy Serves as a Stark Reminder
The basketball community and others around the world were thrown into a state of shock when Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others died in a helicopter crash. Death is inevitable for all of us, but when people pass away before their time, the sense of loss is quite profound. From an estate planning perspective, … [Read More]
Coronavirus Underscores the Importance of Planning
COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on all of our lives, and it has given us a lot to think about. One of the lessons learned is the fact that unexpected circumstances can arise at any time, even some things that are absolutely unprecedented. Even though death is one of the inevitable facts of life, … [Read More]
SECURE Act Has Estate Planning Implications
Many of our clients have questions about how they can use their individual retirement accounts advantageously when they are devising their estate plans. There was once a tried-and-true strategy called the “stretch IRA” that could be used to great advantage under certain circumstances. However, this approach is no longer possible because of some changes to … [Read More]
Can You Give Gifts to Avoid Estate Taxes?
Before we address the question that serves as the title this blog post, we must provide the necessary background information. We have a federal estate tax in the United States, and it carries a potentially devastating 40 percent maximum rate. The good news is that most people do not have to pay this death levy, … [Read More]
Can a Living Trust Be Contested?
Before we address the question that serves as the title this blog post, we should explain why you may want to consider a living trust as the core document in your estate plan. This type of trust is revocable, so if you ever change your mind, you can dissolve the trust and take back direct … [Read More]
Shrunken Asset Values Open Estate Planning Opportunities
COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has been a challenge confronting countries around the world. Not only has COVID-19 been challenging healthcare systems, but the social distancing required to combat the virus has also rocked financial markets. However, there may be an opportunity for those wishing to do certain types of Estate Planning. Read on to learn more. [Read More]
Estate Planning and Remarriage
There are inheritance planning tools that can be used to address various different sets of circumstances. You should understand all the facts and make fully informed decisions, especially if you are a parent. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of marriages end in divorce. The figure of 50 percent is often used, and the majority of second … [Read More]
Academy’s Spring Summit Virtually Perfect
The Academy’s Spring Summit conference went “virtual” due to the social distancing requirements to protect all of us. The Summit was different but better than ever. Read on to learn how cutting-edge technology met cutting-edge learning at the Academy’s Virtual Summit. [Read More]
( By appointment only )