• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC

Vermont Estate Planning Attorneys

Vermont: (802) 879-7133

Attend A Free Workshop
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
    • What to Expect When Working with Us
  • Services
    • Estate Planning
    • Incapacity Planning
    • IRA & Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Medicaid Planning & Elder Law
    • Pet Planning
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration
    • Young Families Planning
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Burlington
      • Montpelier
      • Rutland
      • St. Johnsbury
      • White River Junction
    • Estate And Gift Tax Figures
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate and Gift Tax
      • Estate Planning
      • FAQs for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • IRA & Retirement Planning
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid
      • Pet Planning
      • Special Needs Planning
      • Trust Administration
      • Trusts
      • Wills
    • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
    • Medicaid Resources
      • Medicaid Analysis Worksheet
      • Medicaid Guide
      • Vermont Medicaid
    • Newsletters
    • Presentations
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
    • SECURE Act
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Webinars/Seminars
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • BLOG
  • Contact
Home » Archives for Stephen Hartnett

Stephen Hartnett

How Do I Trust Thee…Part III

July 28, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

If a client’s Estate Plan involves a revocable trust, then the client needs to decide who will serve as trustee after the client dies. Sometimes, clients have several undesirable options if they want to name an individual and they consider naming an institution to serve as trustee. This article provides a framework for clients considering naming an institutional trustee. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about How Do I Trust Thee…Part III

Filed Under: Legal Education Tagged With: Estate Planning

How Do I Trust Thee…Part II

July 21, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

When clients undertake Estate Planning, they face the difficult decision of naming one or more individuals to serve in various fiduciary positions. If a client sets up an irrevocable trust during life, the client may prefer to serve as trustee instead of naming a third party. Serving as trustee gives comfort to the trustor that they maintain a level of control over the assets transferred to the irrevocable trust; however, depending upon the provisions of the trust, naming a trustor as trustee of … [Read more...] about How Do I Trust Thee…Part II

Filed Under: Legal Education, Estate Planning

How Do I Trust Thee…Part I

July 19, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

When clients undertake Estate Planning, they face the difficult decision of naming a trustee after their death. While Estate Planning documents are effective once signed, they often contain provisions regarding what will happen upon the trustor’s death. Because of the application years in advance, the choice of who will serve as trustee often vexes clients. They need to make this decision years in advance of the time that the individual will serve and as we know, circumstances change. This … [Read more...] about How Do I Trust Thee…Part I

Filed Under: Legal Education Tagged With: Estate Planning

What Makes a Will or Trust Invalid

July 7, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

Clients often worry about the execution of their plan after death. Sometimes, individuals fail to see their complicity in the destruction of their plan. Numerous ways exist to invalidate an Estate Plan. A qualified Estate Planning attorney takes safeguards to protect the plan. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about What Makes a Will or Trust Invalid

Filed Under: Legal Education, Estate Planning

What Estate of Marion Levine Means for Life Insurance

April 28, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

Life insurance has long been part of Estate Plans, whether used to ensure liquidity for the estate on the death of the insured, or simply as income replacement on the death of the insured. Understanding the impact of life insurance on an estate plan has become critically important. A recent tax court case resulted in a big win for the taxpayer in a complex set of facts which could impact how you incorporate life insurance for your Estate Planning clients. Read on to learn more.  … [Read more...] about What Estate of Marion Levine Means for Life Insurance

Filed Under: Legal Education Tagged With: Estate Planning

Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

April 26, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

It’s tempting to think that by taking the time to hand-write your Will or preparing a do-it-yourself plan, you can avoid many of the issues that arise with a Will. In fact, the opposite may be true. By handwriting your Will or preparing a do-it-yourself plan, you may be creating more issues for your family. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

Filed Under: Legal Education, Estate Planning, consumer

The Evolution of our Unified Estate and Gift Tax System

February 24, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

Many individuals think that if their estate is below a certain amount that they need not be concerned with Estate Planning.  As this article demonstrates, because the Estate Tax evolves constantly, it’s important to talk with a professional to create a plan to accomplish your goals.  Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Evolution of our Unified Estate and Gift Tax System

Filed Under: Legal Education Tagged With: Estate Planning

The Intersection of Legacy Contacts and Estate Planning

February 17, 2022 by Stephen Hartnett

As more and more individuals get comfortable in the digital world, Estate Planning has changed to address the collection and transfer of digital assets.  The widespread use of a legacy contact allows owners of digital content to determine what will happen with it after they die.  Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Intersection of Legacy Contacts and Estate Planning

Filed Under: Legal Education, technology Tagged With: Estate Planning

2021 Estate Planning Survey Yields Interesting Results

April 16, 2021 by Stephen Hartnett

estate planning modern family

The popular website Caring.com conduct surveys every year to measure the estate planning preparedness of American adults. They have recently released their 2021 version, and there is a surprising shift among people in a certain age group. COVID Wake-Up Call In the United States, the average life expectancy is about 78 years, so many people think of estate planning as something that it is only relevant for senior citizens. On one level, this attitude is understandable, but we all know that … [Read more...] about 2021 Estate Planning Survey Yields Interesting Results

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Intestacy, estate planning preparedness, wills and trusts, Estate Planning

Biden Would Like to Reform Social Security

April 9, 2021 by Stephen Hartnett

Social Security reform

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), between 10,000 and 15,000 applications for benefits are being received every day, and this volume has been consistent for years. There is no end in sight, because the baby boomers are reaching retirement age. Clearly, there is a lot of interest in the ongoing solvency of the Social Security program, and the person in the Oval Office is certainly concerned. President Biden has proposed some changes, and we will look at the details … [Read more...] about Biden Would Like to Reform Social Security

Filed Under: Retirement Planning Tagged With: retirement planning, Social Security reform

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 11
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Elder Law and Medicaid Planning Attorneys

Unsworth LaPlante, PLC

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHEET

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Essex Junction, VT

26 Railroad Ave
Essex Junction, VT 05452
United States (US)
Phone: (802) 879-7133
Fax: (802) 879-0408

Map

unsworth_sidbr_map

Office Hours

Monday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Footer

footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Vermont Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.