Everybody knows the latest big news: President Obama’s health care reform bill was finally approved by the senate—for better or worse—and although politicians may still be arguing the benefits and evils of the bill across party lines, most Americans are asking one simple question: What does this legislation mean for me? CNN Health attempts to… Read More »
Blog Posts Page 45
3 Reasons to Discuss Estate Planning With Your Ex
Creating an estate plan to protect your minor children is one of the most difficult—and most important—things you will ever do; this is especially true if you and your child’s other parent are separated or divorced. Relationships don’t always end amicably, but if you do have children it is definitely worthwhile to put aside your… Read More »
Estate Tax to Again Become an Issue in the House
Could it be that some movement finally happening in the House of Representatives with regard to the estate tax? It looks like it may be, if we are to believe this recent article in Bloomberg Business Week. According to the article, the House Ways and Means Committee has plans to begin discussions in April (after… Read More »
Do You Need A Will Or A Trust?
When it comes to estate planning there are two major vehicles for the distribution of property: A will and a trust. Both are very useful tools and can accomplish specific goals—but how do you know which one is best for your family? Which document you will need depends on a number of factors, some of… Read More »
Facing the BIG Picture
We frequently urge you here on our blog to create the documents necessary to protect yourself in case of emergency, and to ensure that your family and loved ones know your wishes for health care if you are ever unable to make those decisions yourself. But a recent article on MSNBC reminds us that creating… Read More »
The Most Important Plan You’ll Make
Whether or not we do it regularly, all of us know how to plan ahead: We plan for travel and vacation, we plan weddings, and we plan for natural disasters, for retirement, or what to make for dinner tomorrow night. Why is it, then, that so few of us will create a plan to help… Read More »
When and Why You Might Turn Down An Inheritance
Would you ever turn down an inheritance? Your first reaction might be “Of course not!” But don’t speak too soon. Most estate plans are created at least in part to protect heirs (generally spouses and children) from the sometimes devastating blow of estate taxes; but with the estate tax in a confusing state of flux… Read More »
10 Tips for Potential (or Existing) Trustees
The creation of a trust and estate plan includes spending a certain amount of time choosing the people who will be your fiduciaries—the people who will carry out your wishes. One of the most important fiduciaries is your trustee, who is involved in just about every aspect of the administration of your trust. Most people… Read More »
News and Updates About the Estate Tax
A month and a half into 2010 and Congress’ failure to stop the lapse in estate tax is still making waves. These two trusted news sources explain why having “no estate tax” this year should worry you. One of the first reasons you should be worried, as revealed by this article in the Wall Street… Read More »
The Question of Competence
One of the things estate planning attorneys have to deal with in their line of work (most often with elderly clients) is the question of whether or not a client is competent to sign their legal documents. Every principal (or person executing the documents) must be competent, and most attorneys—most people—can make this assessment based… Read More »