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...]
Tips for Gifting to Grandchildren
One of the most important aspects of any estate plan is the creation of a plan for the distribution of your estate assets after you are gone. If you are a grandparent, you may wish to include your grandchildren as beneficiaries in that plan. While gifting to grandchildren in similar to gifting to adult children, there are some unique considerations. To help you plan according, the St. Louis estate planning lawyers at Amen, Gantner & Capriano, Your Estate Matters, LLC offer the following tips … [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...]
ABLE Accounts
An ABLE account is a great strategy for someone who became disabled by age 26. An ABLE account may be income tax-free. It has other unique benefits for a disabled person. Read on to learn more about the ABLE account and how it can help. ABLE Accounts … [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 the Difference between a General and a Limited Power of Attorney?
Given how common they are, you may have already executed a Power of Attorney (POA) and/or been named as the Agent under a POA executed by someone else. Unfortunately, a Power of Attorney is also one of the most frequently abused legal documents. One reason for that is that all too often the person creating the POA does not truly understand the power and authority conveyed in the document. If you plan to incorporate a Power of Attorney into your estate plan, you need to understand the difference … [Read more...]
