As we begin the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including Powers of Attorney. Powers of Attorney are part of even the simplest estate plan. A Power of Attorney allows your Agent to act for you. There are Powers of Attorney for financial matters and also those for health care. It’s important to consider whether you need to update either of these powers. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Powers of Attorney
Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including your primary vehicle, such as a trust or will. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
Tax Planning for 2021
Planning is important for your income taxation during life as well as for any estate tax at death. Even though 2021 is just starting, it’s not too early to think about planning for whatever it may bring your way. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Tax Planning for 2021
Updating Your Plan: Beneficiary Designations
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about updating your plan. This includes your entire plan, including beneficiary designations. Beneficiary designations may control a large part of your assets and it’s important to be sure your plan is coordinated to consider these. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Beneficiary Designations
It’s Better to Give, Especially This Year
Normally, you must itemize your deductions in order to benefit from them. In 2020, the standard deduction amount is $12,400 for individuals and $24,800 for married couples filing jointly. But this year, you can get a charitable deduction even if you don’t itemize. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about It’s Better to Give, Especially This Year
What the 2020 Election Could Mean for Your Estate Plan
The November elections are over. What was the outcome of the election? What changes could come about as a result? What do those possible changes mean for your estate plan? Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about What the 2020 Election Could Mean for Your Estate Plan
Preparing for the Unexpected…and the Eventual
The world is an unusual place. Things you’d never expect to happen sometimes actually do happen. There are natural disasters and unusual phenomenon. It’s important to prepare, not just for the unexpected but the eventual, as well. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Unexpected…and the Eventual
What Is a HIPAA Release?
The acronym HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. In this post, we will explain why this piece of legislation is something to take into consideration when you are planning your estate. Advance Directives for Health Care Everyone is well aware of the fact that you have to facilitate postmortem asset transfers when you put your estate plan in place. A lot of people think this is the long and short of it, but a proper estate plan will also address … [Read more...] about What Is a HIPAA Release?
Academy’s Fall Summit Virtually Perfect
You want your estate planning to be handled by an attorney who stays current on the law. The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys is holding its semi-annual conference providing education and learning for its Members. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Academy’s Fall Summit Virtually Perfect
What’s an “Atom Bomb” or “Contingent Remainder” Beneficiary?
When you’re deciding to whom to leave assets, most people choose their children or other descendants. However, you also need to decide on the “contingent remainder” beneficiary. In other words, who should get your assets if all your other beneficiaries are gone. Read on to learn more about this often-confusing concept. … [Read more...] about What’s an “Atom Bomb” or “Contingent Remainder” Beneficiary?