Avoiding bushwhacks includes avoiding probate court. I know I am repeating myself here, but this is a common area of misconception. The downsides of probate court are numerous. The attorney fees, which they often refer to as ‘administrative expenses’, can be 5-7% of the value of your probate estate. For example, if you have One... [Read More]
Category: Inheritance
Getting Real in Estate Planning: Tough Talks
A lot of what we do, is hear great stories. We meet fabulous individuals, and hear a lot about their kids and their interesting stories about their lives and how they became successful and can now leave something to their loved ones. This is a positive in estate planning. The other side of Estate Planning... [Read More]
Family Conflict in Estate Planning: A 5 Part Series
When it comes to the administration of an estate, controversy often happens. Often these controversies are the result of family conflicts. Understanding these conflicts BEFORE they happen can help you create the proper estate plan to avoid unnecessary delays, legal battles and of course, bitterness. Sibling Rivalry Part 1 The sources of conflict within a... [Read More]
Estate Planning is NOT about taxes, laws or assets: it’s about You
What is Estate Planning? Surprise! Estate Planning is not taxes, laws or assets although these are the subjects you hear about the most. Yes, it’s governed by state and federal laws and yes, we lawyers talk a lot about what to do to make sure your loved ones receive what you intended and yes, it’s... [Read More]
I Don’t Want To Be A Burden
“I don’t want to be a burden” is a phrase I often hear from my Estate Planning clients. They don’t want to be a burden to their family or loved ones. They have seen how other seniors, whether they are friends or family, have been burdens to other family members who have taken on the... [Read More]
The 100th Year Anniversary of Federal Estate Tax
September 8, 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Federal Estate Tax. The Federal Tax taxes your assets when you pass on and they move from one generation to the next. There is no tax under the exemption amount, but once you get above that amount, there is a Federal Estate Tax. In the... [Read More]
Family Disputes Over Inheritance
One thing I have seen that is a very uncomfortable situation is where a parent leaves all of their assets to the Stepparent of their Adult Children. That Stepparent then has an estate liquidation sale selling all of the personal effects of their spouse. The adult children had to go to a public auction to... [Read More]
It Moves by Title
While trying to advise a woman who is the only child and heir of her unmarried father who will not meet with an Estate Attorney, a number of issues have come up. He keeps telling her “I put a note with the item which says you get it. That means it automatically goes to you”.... [Read More]
Estate Planning for Blended Families
“Yours, Mine and Ours” was the title of a cute movie regarding parents who marry with children from a previous marriage. However, in real life, it can be a complicated issue when it comes to Estate Planning. Studies show that in 2013, 40% of the marriages included at least one spouse who had already been... [Read More]
Super Charge Your Inheritance, part 2
Life Insurance can be a way to “Super Charge” your inheritance. For example, you may spend some thousands of dollars in life insurance premiums, but that may provide hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in death benefits when you pass on. If you have a good income stream, or you have a good... [Read More]