People often have questions about Estate Planning. This is the fourth in a series of articles addressing those questions. This fourth article addresses the “where” of Estate Planning. Read on to learn more. The Questions of Estate Planning, Part 4: Where … [Read more...]
Top Five Estate Planning Mistakes
When we post on this blog, we usually share information about what you should do when you are planning your estate. On this day, we are going to go in a different direction that is just as useful if not more. We are going to look at five common estate planning mistakes that should definitely be avoided. Intestacy Let’s face it, passing away is not on anyone’s to-do list. For many, death is a taboo subject, and while it may be understandable, this perspective can yield negative … [Read more...]
The Questions of Estate Planning, Part 3: When
People often have questions about Estate Planning. This is the third in a series of articles addressing those questions. This third article addresses “when” to do Estate Planning. Read on to learn more. The Questions of Estate Planning, Part 3: When … [Read more...]
Is a Bequest to Your Spouse Taxable?
In this post, we are going to examine the unlimited estate tax marital deduction. However, before we get into this specific area, we should provide a broad overview of the federal estate tax itself. The federal estate tax is imposed on wealth that is being transferred that exceeds a particular amount. This threshold is called the estate tax exclusion. The amount of the exclusion has varied significantly over the years, so the current numbers we are going to share are subject to change. In … [Read more...]
The Questions of Estate Planning, Part 2
People often have questions about Estate Planning. This is the second in a series of articles addressing those questions. This second article addresses “what” Estate Planning comprises. Read on to learn more. The Questions of Estate Planning, Part 2 … [Read more...]
Is Joint Tenancy a Good Estate Planning Move?
People sometimes hear bits and pieces about estate planning and they make important decisions based on incomplete information. This can be a huge mistake that comes back to yield negative consequences, and these circumstances often stem from misguided probate avoidance notions. Probate is a legal process that enters the picture if you use a last will to state your wishes with regard to the distribution of your directly held personal property. It allows for creditors to seek satisfaction from … [Read more...]
The Questions of Estate Planning, Part I: Who
People often have questions on Estate Planning. This is the first in a series of articles addressing those questions. This first article addresses “who” should do Estate Planning. Read on to learn more. The Questions of Estate Planning, Part I: Who … [Read more...]
Continuing Legal Education in San Diego
Staying up-to-date is important. That’s especially important in Estate Planning and Elder Law. Academy members attending the semi-annual Academy Summit conference in San Diego learned about the latest developments in Estate Planning and Elder Law. Read on to learn more. Continuing Legal Education in San Diego … [Read more...]
Do Right By Your Family With a Living Trust
Many people who are not especially informed with regard to their options assume that a last will is the right choice as an estate plan centerpiece. They are under the impression that all trusts are only useful for very wealthy people who have extremely complex estate planning concerns. In fact, this is not the case at all. There is another solution that is actually far more effective for a wide range of people. This legal device is the living trust, and we will take a look at the benefits in … [Read more...]
Estate Planning Solution for a Spendthrift Heir
A lot of people are under the impression that a last will is the most simple and efficient estate planning tool. They assume that trusts are only useful for very wealthy individuals that have complex inheritance planning concerns. In reality, the administration of a will is actually quite complicated, and there is a type of trust that can benefit people that are not among the financial elite. When it comes to the complications, the process of probate is the culprit. If you were to create a … [Read more...]
