Category Archives: Uncategorized

One issue which comes up often is whether certain accounts must go through probate – or not. Stripping away everything else, a probate is a lawsuit which resolves the ownership of property. If you do not appoint an owner of … Continue reading →

Even a well tuned estate plan can be defeated by failing to update beneficiary designations for bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and qualified plans (such as IRAs). Here are some points to consider: If a designation is made, it will ordinarily … Continue reading →

I recently had a prospective client ask: “Why should I hire you, when I can go to an internet service and obtain a trust?”  This was a good question – one which deserves a fairly involved answer. I realize that … Continue reading →

I have posted periodically about the estate tax, which is set to return next year with an individual exclusion of $1 million.  However, as part of the tax negotiations between Congress and the President, it appears that there may be … Continue reading →

There are a number of “quick and dirty” ways to do some year end estate planning to minimize tax liability — especially if you need to get assets out of your estate or if you would simply like to gift … Continue reading →

I have seen a wide range of attitudes among clients. Without getting into too much detail, I have seen everything from gratitude to suspicion. I realize that many clients are sometimes pulled into an estate planning meeting unwillingly — by … Continue reading →

Clients always ask where they should keep their will and important estate documents. As attorneys habitually do, I usually respond: “It depends.” Is your family emotionally supportive and close, or is there contention? Are you ill? Are you healthy; or … Continue reading →

Recently I have completed a great number of advance healthcare directives (also called “Living Wills” in some states) for clients. I once read an article which suggested that a Directive was something on the periphery of an estate plan — … Continue reading →

Planning and estates is not just about the money (even though, unfortunately, to many it might seem that it comes down to just that). Planning, actually, is something that has to do with life: How we live; what is important; … Continue reading →

It’s true that my Depression-era grandparents would not have thought much of a pet trust (“Such a waste,” they would almost certainly have said). Yet, pets have become important to the well-being of young and old. As such, it is … Continue reading →