Hopefully, you are aware of the importance of having an estate plan in place; however, do you understand what components should be in that plan? A comprehensive estate plan, after all, should accomplish much more than designing a road map to be used for the distribution of your estate assets when you are gone. A well drafted estate plan can help manage and grow those assets while you are still here as well as protect you and your loved ones both now and in the future. Given the individual … [Read more...]
How to Transfer Appreciable Assets at a Discount
If you are fortunate enough to have accrued an estate that is significantly valuable you likely already know that careful estate planning is crucial. Passing down the assets in your estate without losing a significant portion of the value of those assets is the challenge. For anyone with valuable estate assets, knowing how to transfer appreciable assets at a discount is one key to a successful estate plan. One commonly used estate planning tool for accomplishing just that is the Grantor Retained … [Read more...]
Life Events that Should Trigger an Estate Plan Update
In the United States it is estimated that less than half of all adults have an estate plan in place. If you are among that minority you are to be commended; however, do not make the mistake that people so often make of forgetting about your estate plan after it is created. Often, an outdated estate plan creates far more problems than it solves when the time comes to probate the estate. To ensure that your estate plan is accurate and current you should take the time to review your plan at regular … [Read more...]
Celebrity Lessons – Could Whitney Houston’s Estate Plan Have Protected Bobbi Kristina?
Bobbi Kristina, the daughter of legendary singer and actress Whitney Houston, finally lost her battle to survive in July after being on life support since January. Her tragic death has left more questions than answers ranging from how she ended up unconscious in her bathtub to who will inherit what is left of Whitney’s fortune now. Many experts speculate that money was at the center of Bobbi Kristina’s untimely and early death, leading to the question “Could Whitney Houston’s estate plan have … [Read more...]
