Q. My wife and I hold title to her home as joint tenants, and most of our cash assets are in the form of two large IRA accounts and one big annuity. We have basic wills which leaves everything to the other and then on to our children. Our son suggested that our wills may… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Trusts
Plan for Trustee Succession
Q. I have a Living Trust. I am the original trustee and my children are the successor trustees. Do you have any thoughts about easing the transition of trustee duties from me to my children when the management of my finances has become too much for me? A. Yes. It is important for that transition… Read More »
Add Flexibility To Your Trust To Handle Change
Q. My husband and I are concerned about how to keep our trust up to date in light of changing tax law and changing family circumstances. What if we are too ill to make changes ourselves. Any thoughts on how we can handle these concerns? A. With the ever-changing tax landscape, and changes over time… Read More »
Does Your Trust Need a Tuneup?
Q. My wife and I had our Living Trust prepared back in the year 2008. I hear there have been changes in tax law since then which might affect us. Is it time to have our trust reviewed? A. You refer to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” (“TCJA”) signed by former President Trump on… Read More »
What’s Involved in Administering a Trust?
Q. My mother recently died. Her home, bank accounts and other assets were held in a Living Trust. Her financial advisor said we should now see a lawyer to help with trust administration. What? I thought if you had a Living Trust that there was little or nothing to do following the death of the… Read More »
Senior Alert: Medi-Cal Eligibility Rules Are Changing For Those Over 65!
Q. I heard that the Medi-Cal rules to qualify for a long-term care subsidy are about to change. This would be very important to us, as my husband, now aged 85, will soon need care in a nursing home, and we are very concerned about the cost. Do you know anything about this? A. Yes,… Read More »
Understanding “Living Trusts “
Q. My wife and I don’t really understand what a “Living Trust” is and how it is different from a Will. Can you help us understand it? A. Yes. A “Living Trust”, is a legal document which (1) provides for asset management in the event of your incapacity, and (2) allows your assets to go… Read More »
Should We Sell Mom’s Home To Pay For Her Care?
Q. Our mother is in assisted living and may need to go into a nursing home soon. To raise money for her ongoing care, we are thinking of selling her home which is now vacant. Any thoughts as to whether that makes sense? A. Well, here’s the thing: selling mom’s home may undermine her ability… Read More »
Review Your Older Trust Now To Avoid A Tax Surprise Later
Q. 20 years ago, my husband and I created a Living Trust with provisions to avoid estate tax upon our passing. I believe it is called an A-B Trust. When my husband died four years later, my attorney helped me divide the trust assets between the A and the B portions. The problem: my CPA… Read More »
A Resolution For The New Year
Q. My wife and I created our estate planning documents about 15 years ago and we really have not even looked at them since. Do you have any thoughts about when we should consider updating them? B. Yes, I do. I would tie a review and update into a New Year’s Resolution. Many of us… Read More »