Many souls believe that if they lack means, they do not need an estate plan. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you die without an estate plan, your assets may not be distributed as you would wish and the results could be downright scary. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about It Can Be Scary to Die Without an Estate Plan…the HORRORS of Intestacy
Neither Age Nor Health Determines Whether You Need an Estate Plan
Most people associate Estate Planning with the elderly or very wealthy. This article explores situations in which Estate Planning for the young and healthy is advisable. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Neither Age Nor Health Determines Whether You Need an Estate Plan
The Role of the Estate Planning Attorney
Clients often come to an Estate Planning attorney with specific ideas in their minds. The attorney’s role is to counsel them regarding their plan, not just to draw up documents to accomplish it. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Role of the Estate Planning Attorney
Don’t be a Turkey – Use Your Annual Per Donee Exclusion Amount
As fall turns into winter and the holiday season arrives, it’s natural to review the year, plan for the next, and count your blessings. One of the ways to plan for the next year, and perhaps to address some outstanding concerns in this one, is to consider making annual per donee exclusion gifts. This article will explore annual exclusion gifting and demonstrate how gifts of seemingly modest amounts can be a powerful estate planning tool. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Don’t be a Turkey – Use Your Annual Per Donee Exclusion Amount
Changing “Irrevocable” Trusts Through Decanting
Irrevocable Trusts are often included as part of a comprehensive estate plan and are usually established many years before they pay out or terminate. These trusts didn’t change with changes in beneficiary circumstances or with evolving legislation, but now they can. This article explores how. … [Read more...] about Changing “Irrevocable” Trusts Through Decanting
Taxation of Nongrantor Trusts
“Nongrantor” trusts are trusts which aren’t taxed to a substantial owner pursuant to the grantor trust rules. Such a trust must file its own tax return and the income of the trust would be taxed to it, unless distributed. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Taxation of Nongrantor Trusts
Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Occasionally, those who are not Estate Planning attorneys will attempt to do their own Estate Planning. Perhaps they’ll go online and get a document to use. Unfortunately, Estate Planning is about far more than a cookie-cutter document. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
CRT: Best Tool for Proposed Tax Changes?
Tax proposals would increase capital gains rates, among other things. These proposed changes could make a Charitable Remainder Trust look even better. A Charitable Remainder Trust can earn the donor an income tax deduction upfront and defer gains on its sale of assets. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about CRT: Best Tool for Proposed Tax Changes?
Tax Proposals Could Alter Estate Planning Landscape
Senators Sanders and Whitehouse have introduced legislation in the Senate which would significantly alter the Estate Planning landscape. It would dramatically change the tools we use to plan for our clients. Time is of the essence. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Tax Proposals Could Alter Estate Planning Landscape
Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations can be deceptively simple. You simply designate the person to whom you want the assets to go. But their simplicity is sort of like an iceberg. Danger lurks beneath those tranquil waters, both for the client and the attorney. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations
