Trusts can be drafted to be quite flexible. This article examines several ways you can add flexibility to your trust. This added flexibility will increase the usefulness of your trust. Making Trusts More Flexible … [Read more...]
When and Where You Die Matters
Where you die matters. While you’ll pay the same federal estate tax no matter where you die, 1/3 of the states have a separate estate or inheritance tax. The most populous state, California, is the latest state to consider adding a state estate tax. Read on to learn more. When and Where You Die Matters … [Read more...]
Planning is Critical
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 a heart-breaking story of someone who didn’t plan and the consequences. Planning is Critical … [Read more...]
What Is a Reverse Mortgage?
If you are a senior, you have likely heard of a reverse mortgage. As the population of older Americans continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, products and services geared toward seniors are flooding the market. The reverse mortgage is one of those. If you own your home, you have probably received several advertisements in the mail offering you a reverse mortgage. Before you consider accepting one of those offers, you should fully understand what pros and cons. Toward that end, the Affton … [Read more...]
New Estate Tax Proposal
A new estate tax proposal would lower the amount passing free from tax to $3.5 million and increase the rates of taxation. It would also eliminate some tried and true strategies for reducing estate taxation. Read on to learn more about this proposal and its prospects. New Estate Tax Proposal … [Read more...]
What Are 529 Plans and What Are Their Advantages?
What are 529 plans? Can they be held in trusts? Read on to learn more about these plans and why to consider them. What Are 529 Plans and What Are Their Advantages? … [Read more...]
What are UGMA and UTMA Accounts?
What are UTMA and UGMA accounts? Are there better alternatives? Read on to learn more about these accounts, their drawbacks, and better alternatives. What are UGMA and UTMA Accounts? … [Read more...]
What Is an Administrator of the Trust?
Trusts have become increasingly popular additions to an estate plan in recent years due in large part to the abundant and diverse estate planning goals you can achieve using a trust. If you have some familiarity with trusts, you may already have questions as well. For example, you undoubtedly want to know what an administrator of a trust does so that you make the right choice when you appoint someone to administer the trust you create. Trust Fundamentals Learning some trust fundamentals helps … [Read more...]
Key Social Security Retirement Facts You Should Know
Retirement planning involves taking into consideration a number of important factors, including what it will likely cost you to live comfortably and what income you can expect to receive from various sources. One of those sources for most people is Social Security retirement benefits. The Sunset Hills elder law attorneys explain some of the key facts you should know if Social Security retirement benefits are a factor in your retirement plan. The Need for a Social Security System Social … [Read more...]
What Should I Do after Being Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?
Although Alzheimer’s disease is not new, the rate at which people are being diagnosed with the disease is something we have never seen before in the United States. Understandably, anyone who is middle age or older likely harbors some fear of developing the disease. If you (or a loved one) were recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are probably experiencing a range of heightened emotions. Sometimes it helps to focus on what you can control instead of what you cannot. Toward that end, the … [Read more...]
