Families sometimes seek legal assistance because they are looking for damage control after a loved one has passed away. Estate planning mistakes were made, and the surviving family members are forced to deal with difficult circumstances.These situations are frustrating because they could have been avoided if the decedent had received the right guidance. With this in mind, we will look at some of the mistakes that can damage your legacy in this post.DIY Estate PlanningThere have been many … [Read more...] about These Mistakes Can Damage Your Legacy
What’s an “Atom Bomb” or “Contingent Remainder” Beneficiary?
When you’re planning your estate, among other things, you decide who should inherit your assets. You choose your beneficiaries, typically your children, grandchildren, or other close relatives. But what if all the beneficiaries you’ve chosen and all their descendants have died? Then it would fall to the “contingent remainder” beneficiary.Often the “contingent remainder” beneficiary has a slang nickname, like the “atom bomb” beneficiary or “exploding turkey” beneficiary. The contingent … [Read more...] about What’s an “Atom Bomb” or “Contingent Remainder” Beneficiary?
Do You Need a Will AND a Trust?
There are good reasons why you may be somewhat confused about wills and trusts. You are told that you should definitely have a will, and at the same time, the benefits of living trusts are touted by estate planning lawyers.On one level, you do choose between a trust and a will as your primary vehicle of asset transfer. However, even if you make a living trust the centerpiece of your estate plan, you still need a will.This may sound counterintuitive, but we will provide an explanation … [Read more...] about Do You Need a Will AND a Trust?
Preparing for the Unexpected…and the Eventual
All of us face difficulties and tragedies in our lives. Some of these difficulties are expected and some are unexpected. 2020 has been a year of many unexpected difficulties. While all of us get sick from time to time, nobody anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 9 million Americans have caught the disease, resulting in the deaths of over 230,000 Americans.Apart from coronavirus, there are many unexpected tragedies, such as 795,000 Americans suffering a stroke each year, according to … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Unexpected…and the Eventual
A Time for Thanks and Community
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks and for community with family and friends.While 2020 has been a difficult year for many of us, there is still much for which we can be grateful. As we gather around the Thanksgiving table with our loved ones, let’s be grateful for the food on our table and the companionship of our loved ones around us, both those seated at the table and those joining us electronically.While the pandemic has altered this traditional holiday and the way many of us … [Read more...] about A Time for Thanks and Community
What the 2020 Election Could Mean for Your Estate Plan
How did the 2020 elections shape the political landscape and what does that changed landscape mean for your estate plan? First, at the top of the ticket, it appears Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the new President-Elect and Vice-President Elect, with an apparent 306 electoral votes to Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s apparent 232 electoral votes. Democrats retained control of the House of Representatives, although with a narrower majority.The Senate is a more complicated matter. Republicans … [Read more...] about What the 2020 Election Could Mean for Your Estate Plan
IRS Announces $11.7 Million Exclusion for 2021
The federal estate tax can have a very significant impact on your legacy. It carries a 40 percent rate, and most people would say this is a very heavy dose of taxation.We are going to provide some information about the estate tax in this post, and we will highlight a change that will kick in when the new year rolls around.Estate Tax ExclusionBefore you get too worried about the 40 percent hit, it is very likely that you will not be forced to pay the tax. There is a credit or exclusion … [Read more...] about IRS Announces $11.7 Million Exclusion for 2021
The Benefits of Trusts (Part 1)
Contrary to popular belief, a simple will is not the best estate planning choice for many people. There are trusts that are utilized by high net worth individuals who have certain concerns, and there are other types of trusts that are useful for people of relatively ordinary means.We are going to look at some of the reasons why people use trusts in this post, and we will then follow up with a second installment.Nursing Home Asset ProtectionIt can be hard to envision a time when you will … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Trusts (Part 1)
Trusts Demystified
When laypeople hear about the fact that there are revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts, a natural question would come to mind... Why would you want to create a trust that you cannot revoke if there is an alternative? After all, circumstances could change, and you may decide that it is better to go in a different direction at some point in time.This makes sense on the surface, but there are very good reasons why an irrevocable trust can be more beneficial in some instances. In this post, … [Read more...] about Trusts Demystified
Fair Isn’t Always Equal and Vice Versa
When deciding how to split your assets among your children at death, there are many different factors to consider. Equality is certainly one of those factors. But it’s not the only factor. Fair doesn’t always mean equal and vice versa.Here are some situations in which some parents might think an equal division isn’t necessarily the fairest result:One of the children has greater need due to no fault of their own.One of the children has won the lottery and has much, much more money than the … [Read more...] about Fair Isn’t Always Equal and Vice Versa
