Thanksgiving and the holidays is a time for giving thanks and for appreciating your family and friends. In particular, it can be a good time to thank those people whom you’ve asked to serve in important roles in your estate plan. Thank your agents under your powers of attorney and your successor trustees. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about A Time for Thanks and Community
Fair Isn’t Always Equal and Vice Versa
When you’re deciding how your assets should be divided at death, sometimes dividing them equally is the appropriate choice. But, sometimes it’s not. Fair isn’t always equal or vice versa. Read on to learn more, including how to avoid a challenge if you choose an unequal division among your children. … [Read more...] about Fair Isn’t Always Equal and Vice Versa
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?
Planning Is Important
Planning is important. End-of-year tax planning is one part of that planning. This year you should also consider whether you’ve had any payroll tax withholdings deferred. If your employer deferred those withholdings, you’ll have more money withheld next year than usual. That means you’ll have less money for other things, like IRA contributions. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Planning Is Important
Staying Current is Especially Important in the Pandemic
A Health Care Power of Attorney appoints someone to make decisions for you if you’re not able to do so for yourself. An Advance Directive expresses your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to have them up-to-date. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Staying Current is Especially Important in the Pandemic
Building Flexibility into Your Plan
There are all sorts of formalities to an estate plan. Does that mean you can’t change anything by yourself? Read on to learn how your estate plan, if done properly, can give you the flexibility to make changes by yourself as to certain assets. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Building Flexibility into Your Plan
Planning for Incapacity
There is more to estate planning than disposing of your assets after your death. Planning for your incapacity is just as important. Read on to learn more about how incapacity planning can save you and your loved ones' anxiety. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Planning for Incapacity
Will Your Estate Plan Still Work If You Move?
Before the pandemic, Americans were more mobile than ever. When you move, you have to change your address, your voter registration, and all sorts of other things. But, do you need to revise your estate planning documents? Like with many things in law, it depends on your situation. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Will Your Estate Plan Still Work If You Move?
Use the Exclusion or Lose It
Currently, each person can give $11.58 million during life or at death. However, that amount will be cut in half by January 1, 2026. It may go down even sooner. Read on to learn why and how you should use it before you lose it. … [Read more...] about Use the Exclusion or Lose It
