You are a responsible person. You go to the physician and dentist periodically. You stay active and watch what you eat. You went to an attorney and did an estate plan. Unfortunately, professionals, like the rest of us, have changes in their lives. Perhaps they moved. Perhaps they fell ill or became disabled. Perhaps they … Read more
We often consider Estate Planning documents such as a Will, Trust, Property Power of Attorney, and health care documents to be the building blocks of an Estate Plan. While a necessary and important part of Estate Planning, thinking of the documents as the starting point for an Estate Plan skips several important steps. This article is the first in a two-part series. The first part examines the various ways to hold title to assets and the second part examines the effect that title may have on an Estate Plan.
We all have wishes we want carried out when we are dead or dying. Perhaps we want to be kept alive as long as possible, no matter what. Perhaps we want to be allowed to pass peacefully. Perhaps we want a family heirloom to go to our son or daughter. But, there’s one thing that’s certain, … Read more
For many of us, our retirement fund is our largest single asset. It could be an IRA, a 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified plan. Retirement assets require careful consideration because unique rules apply to them. Retirement assets are favored assets in some ways, and disfavored in others. Retirement assets are favored in that they are exempt from … Read more
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.
If you’ve ever read People, US, or Entertainment Weekly or watched any of the similar television shows, you might be interested to know how some famous celebrities left their assets upon their deaths. If they left a Will and not a Trust, you can find out: It’s public record. That’s right, you can go right to the courthouse and see … Read more
Anyone who may die or become incapacitated (in other words all of us) needs to plan their affairs. But, who actually does it? The American Association of Retired Persons conducted a survey of people aged fifty and over on that very topic. It found that sixty percent had at least a will, forty-five percent had durable powers … Read more
The best Estate Planners stay current on the latest trends. The American Academy of Estate Planning held its semi-annual conference providing education and learning for and inspiring excellence in its Members. Read on to learn more about the unique experience at the conference.
Let’s look at a history of Duke University. Doris Duke was born into wealth. Her grandfather, George Washington Duke, and then her father, James Buchanon Duke, built what became a dominant player in the tobacco industry. By the dawn of the 20th century, the American Tobacco Company was so successful, it was one of the twelve … Read more
What will you do if you cannot care for yourself? You’ve worked all your life and you’ve saved what you could. You’ve paid into Social Security for years. So, when you retire, you’ll get some money back from the government for a change. And, you’ll have Medicare to pay your medical expenses, right? Wrong. While … Read more