When you consider the terms “legacy” or “estate planning,” financial matters will probably come to mind. This is understandable, and it is very important to take the right steps to properly provide for your loved ones monetarily. At the same time, there is another aspect to consider.Some things are more important than money, and this can sound a bit trite on the surface. Yes, we all have bills to pay, but dollars and cents come and go quite easily all things considered.There are other … [Read more...]
Trust Administration: Legal Assistance Can Be Invaluable
Before we address the topic at hand, we should briefly explain why a living trust can be preferable to a last will in many instances. Generally speaking, if the value of your estate exceeds $166,250, and you use a will to state your final wishes, the full probate process would be a factor.The executor that you name in the document would handle the estate administration chores, and the court would provide supervision. Probate can take close to a year even if there are no especially … [Read more...]
Top Five Estate Planning Tips
The majority of people put the process of estate planning on the back burner for far too long. In many instances, when they finally take action, they do not act in a fully informed manner. With this in mind, we are going to share a handful of simple but useful tips in this post.Avoid DIY “Solutions”If the thought of going through life without an estate plan is nagging you in the back of your mind, you may impulsively decide to take action in a given moment. There are websites out there that … [Read more...]
Remarriage Planning Can Protect Your Legacy
Sometimes we come across news stories that are relevant to elder law and estate planning, and one of these has been circulating recently. At the beginning of December in 2018, a 26-year-old woman was placed under arrest at Tampa International Airport in Florida. She was charged with fraud and money laundering, and the victim was her husband.Richard Rappaport is a 77-year-old man of some means, and he married this young lady, Lin Helena Halfon, about four months before she was arrested. She … [Read more...]
Estate Tax Exclusion Amount Adjusted for 2020
When you find that you are in a position to leave behind a considerable legacy, you can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy your success in innumerable ways. This being stated, there may be a looming threat that you should address in the form of the federal estate tax.Most people are exempt from this tax because there is a credit or exclusion that is quite high relative to the value of the typical estate. This is the amount that can be transferred before the estate tax would become … [Read more...]
How Will You Age in Place and Be Able to Die at Home?
More and more, Americans are choosing to be cared for and are dying in their own homes. If you wish to be cared for and die in your own home, it’s especially important to have a plan in place to facilitate that choice. Read on to learn more.How Will You Age in Place and Be Able to Die at Home? … [Read more...]
Tax Planning for 2020
Planning is important for your income taxation during life as well as for any estate tax at death. Even though 2020 is just starting, it’s not too early to think about planning for whatever it may bring your way.Tax Planning for 2020 … [Read more...]
Getting Together with Family for the Holidays
The holidays are a special time with family and friends. You can take the opportunity to check on elderly loved ones. It’s also a great time to discuss planning. Read on to learn more.Getting Together with Family for the Holidays … [Read more...]
Reasons an Estate Plan Could Be Challenged: Part 3 – Fraud
An Estate Plan is an essential part of your planning process. But there are ways an Estate Plan can be challenged as being invalid. This is the third part of a series of articles on ways an Estate Plan might be invalid and how to avoid these pitfalls. This article looks at fraud.Reasons an Estate Plan Could Be Challenged: Part 3 – Fraud … [Read more...]
Reasons an Estate Plan Could Be Challenged: Part 4 – Lack of Testamentary Capacity
An Estate Plan is an essential part of your planning process. But there are ways an Estate Plan can be challenged as being invalid. This is part of a series of articles on ways an Estate Plan might be invalid and how to avoid these pitfalls. This fourth article in the series looks at testamentary capacity.Reasons an Estate Plan Could Be Challenged: Part 4 – Lack of Testamentary Capacity … [Read more...]
