It’s rare that a movie centers on an archaic estate planning issue, but that’s exactly what Martin Scorsese’s latest film does. Recently Killers of the Flower Moon was released in theaters to critical acclaim. That’s no surprise. The surprise is that the central conflict of the movie focuses on several Estate Planning issues and provides real-life lessons for all of us. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Lessons from the Movies – Part I
Don’t Be a Turkey – Take Advantage of Your Annual Per Donee Exclusion Amount
The holidays are a great time to review the past year and make plans for the upcoming one. Part of those plans should be reviewing your Estate Plan and considering what if any, steps you should take to help you achieve your goals. One of the easiest, but most overlooked, ways to do some quick planning is to take advantage of the annual per donee exclusion amount which can have a tremendous impact on reducing the estate without use of the applicable exclusion amount. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Don’t Be a Turkey – Take Advantage of Your Annual Per Donee Exclusion Amount
The Seedier Side of the Holiday Season
Scammers will use any leverage possible to separate you from your money. This includes preying upon a grandparent’s love and concern for their grandchildren. The so-called grandparent scams are among the most popular scams targeting the elderly and rely upon details gleaned from social media sites to make the call seem realistic. It’s important to recognize the signs of potential scams and understand how to guard against them. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Seedier Side of the Holiday Season
Exploring Elder Abuse
As seniors live longer and technology makes it easier for everyone to stay connected, elder abuse continues to rise. Estate planning attorneys may find themselves on the front-line of these matters. Because elder abuse takes on many forms, it’s important for practitioners and consumers alike to have the skills necessary to recognize the signs of elder abuse. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Exploring Elder Abuse
Let’s Talk Litigation
Anyone creating an Estate Plan wants to ensure that the plan will work as intended and will withstand legal challenges. Sometimes though, a legal challenge is necessary to ensure that the Estate Plan reflects the true intent of the decedent is carried out and that the fiduciaries act in accordance with their duties. This article examines the most common ways that litigation arises in the Trusts and Estates arena. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Litigation
Understanding the Interplay of State Estate and Inheritance Taxes with Federal Estate Tax
When individuals consider estate planning, they often look to federal law to determine the potential tax ramifications for their estate and beneficiaries. Some may neglect to consider the impact of state estate taxes which vary widely from state to state. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Understanding the Interplay of State Estate and Inheritance Taxes with Federal Estate Tax
Exploring the Many Issues Surrounding the Estate and Trust of Richard Blum – Part III
Every state that recognizes trusts as a legal entity imposes fiduciary duties upon the Trustee of such trust. These duties may have different names in different jurisdictions, but ultimately a breach of fiduciary duties means that the Trustee has failed to do what is required of them under the terms of the trust instrument and local law. This third and final part of a three-part series examines a case ripped from the headlines that highlights what happens when plans go awry. Read on to learn … [Read more...] about Exploring the Many Issues Surrounding the Estate and Trust of Richard Blum – Part III
Exploring the Many Issues Surrounding the Estate and Trust of Richard Blum – Part II
Every state that recognizes trusts as a legal entity imposes fiduciary duties upon the Trustee of such trust. These duties may have different names in different jurisdictions, but ultimately a breach of fiduciary duties means that the Trustee has failed to do what is required of them under the terms of the trust instrument and local law. This second part of a three-part series examines a case ripped from the headlines that highlights what happens when plans go awry. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Exploring the Many Issues Surrounding the Estate and Trust of Richard Blum – Part II
Exploring the Many Issues Surrounding the Estate and Trust of Richard Blum – Part I
Every state that recognizes trusts as a legal entity imposes fiduciary duties upon the Trustee of such trust. These duties may have different names in different jurisdictions, but ultimately a breach of fiduciary duties means that the Trustee has failed to do what is required of them under the terms of the trust instrument and local law. This first part of a three-part series examines a case ripped from the headlines that highlights the various Trustee duties. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Exploring the Many Issues Surrounding the Estate and Trust of Richard Blum – Part I
National Make-a-Will Month
Although many Estate Plans have a Revocable Trust as the foundation for the plan, Wills play an important role in a comprehensive Estate Plan. Alarmingly, most Americans don’t have a Will even though they know it’s important. As National Make-a-Will month comes to a close, let’s explore the often overlooked and neglected Estate Planning document, the Will. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about National Make-a-Will Month
