Avoid Bushwacks

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]

More Storms of Life

We in North and South Carolina just went through heavy Storms, including heavy rains, over the past several days. Here in Western North Carolina we have been having rain off and on for more than ten (10) days. That was followed by very heavy rain over this past weekend. This rain has led to rivers... [Read More]

Donald Sterling Trust Upheld

The Mental Disability Estate Planning done inside Donald and Shelly Sterling’s Living Trust was upheld by the Court. This went through the Court in several weeks avoiding what could have been years of expensive and painful litigation. By Donald and Shelly Sterling, owners of the NBA Los Angeles Clippers Professional Basketball Team, having Mental Disability... [Read More]

Estate Planning and Alzheimer’s for the Denver Bronco’s Owner

Pat Bowlen, president and owner of the NFL Denver Bronco’s Team has resigned as President due to having Alzheimer’s disease. He has struggled with this disease for at least five (5) years. He is 70 years old. The team is held by his Trust. This is another example of a well-known individual in the news... [Read More]

Estate Planning for the Family Business

A business owner will spend their lifetime building a business from the ground up, but will spend little, to no time, in planning its transition to their family. It is estimated that a business owner will spend nearly a million hours during their lifetime building, growing and operating a business, but spend less than four... [Read More]

Steve Teaches CE Class – “Can You Trust Your Trust?”

Steve will teach a Continuing Education Class – “Can You Trust Your Trust?” on Wednesday, June 4, 2013 at 8am at The Biltmore Building to Financial & Insurance Professionals & Accountants.  The class will look at how your client’s Estate Plan could blow-up on them.   The Class is approved for one hour of Continuing... [Read More]

We Remember

On Memorial Day we remember the soldiers who died in service. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard & Army Reserves have all sacrificed their lives while serving in the armed forces. A sacrifice they, their families & loved ones have made that changed the lives of all left behind. We are all thankful for... [Read More]

James Brown’s Estate Planning Blues

As a movie about James Brown, “the Godfather of Soul”, hits cinemas we remember the disastrous Estate Planning he left behind. James Brown’s Will attempted to create a Trust under a Will for education of poor children for the bulk of his assets, also for education for his grandchildren, some personal items to his adult... [Read More]

Steve Teaches Class

Attorney Steven Andrew Jackson will teach a Continuing Education Class to professionals titled “Can You Trust Your Trust?” on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. The class will show where hidden bombs are in Estate Plans that clients are unaware of that may cause unnecessary expense and loss of control to the client and... [Read More]

Can you Trust your Trust?

New clients come to me with their Living Trusts that another lawyer prepared. They are often shocked to find that their Trust places someone that they did not choose in charge of their Trust after their death. The attorney who prepared the Trust may have placed himself, their law firm or an institution in control... [Read More]