To break estate planning down to its most basic form, most people would like their assets to wind up in the hands of their loved ones quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively. You may think that drawing up a will and making your wishes clearly known will achieve this end, but unfortunately this is not always the … [Read More]
Estate Planning Is Relevant to You
When you evaluate your responsibilities as an adult it is only natural that you would prioritize matters that seem to be more immediately relevant and place those “that can wait” onto the back burner. The problem with this line of thinking is the fact that you really can’t say with any certainty exactly what it … [Read More]
Getting Started On Your Estate Plan
When you decide to take on a big task involving something that is new to you it can be difficult to get started because you are entering the realm of the unknown, and for most people estate planning fits this description. But it is said that the proverbial journey of 1000 miles begins with a … [Read More]
Estate Tax & Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts
It is important to retain the services of an experienced estate planning attorney rather than going the DIY route or engaging the services of a general practicioner because it takes time and focus to understand the best way to position certain types of assets. Each estate is different and every family is unique, and a … [Read More]
Consider Writing Your Memoirs
The financial aspects of estate planning are self-evident, but when you are taking stock of the broader part of your legacy you may feel as though you would like to leave behind something more. We have all had the experience of providing guidance or advice to family members who have come to us with problems … [Read More]
How Will You Pay For Long Term Care?
When you have your finger on the pulse of the elder law issues of the day, one of things that really gets your attention is the rising cost of long-term care. According to the annual MetLife Mature Market Institute survey for 2010, the average cost for a year in a private room in a nursing … [Read More]
Inheritance Planning & Asset Protection
Asset protection is an important consideration when you’re engaged in the process of inheritance planning. In this context we are talking about asset protection as it pertains to the people who will be receiving inheritances from you. Asset protection involves taking steps to make it impossible for claimants to pursue funds that you want to … [Read More]
The Whys Of Probate Avoidance
One of the terms that you will hear mentioned a lot when you begin to look into the subject of estate planning is “probate.” Probate is the legal process that your estate must pass through, and during this interim the validity of the will is determined by the probate or surrogate court. If the will … [Read More]
Trusts, Pour-Over Wills, & Your Estate
One of the reasons why it is important to retain the services of an experienced estate planning attorney when you get serious about planning for the future is because of the fact that the typical layperson would have no reason to have an understanding of all the different vehicles of asset transfer that are available. … [Read More]
Springing Powers Of Attorney
Many people who visit an estate planning attorney to make preparations for the distribution of assets to their loved ones after death also want to develop a comprehensive end-of-life plan. It is not a subject that most individuals are very anxious to think about, but few of us pass away peacefully in our sleep one … [Read More]
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