Clients often come to an Estate Planning attorney with specific ideas in their minds. The attorney’s role is to counsel them regarding their plan, not just to draw up documents to accomplish it. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Role of the Estate Planning Attorney
Use It Before It’s Gone
The amount you can pass free from estate tax is at a record high of $11.7 million per person. There’s legislation which would lower the exclusion to $3.5 million per person. Married people can take advantage of the current exemption. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Use It Before It’s Gone
Planning After a Breakup
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee Nobody plans to break up. When a couple marries, they dream of their lives together and the special times they will share. They think of the shared holidays and the family that will grow from their love. Their lives become intertwined emotionally, financially, and legally. But, as John Steinbeck said, “even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” When the arguing becomes too frequent, the emotional bond between them … [Read more...] about Planning After a Breakup
Preserving Grandma’s Legacy
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee When you were younger, grandma’s attic held such fascination for you. The hat boxes and old clothes were great fun when playing dress-up. There were old records of “Big Band” music. It was like traveling back to an earlier time. But, the years have taken their toll. You can barely move in the attic now, in part because you aren’t a child of six anymore, but mainly because of all of the odds and ends grandma has continued to … [Read more...] about Preserving Grandma’s Legacy
Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act: Eligible Designated Beneficiaries
Beneficiary designations can be deceptively simple. But their simplicity is sort of like an iceberg. Danger lurks beneath those tranquil waters, both for the client and the attorney. Designations for IRAs and retirement plans can be particularly complicated, especially after the SECURE Act. This article focuses on beneficiaries who don’t fall under the standard 10-year payout of the SECURE Act. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act: Eligible Designated Beneficiaries
How to Avoid Estate Planning Minefields: You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee Some things seem like they should be easy–and they are easy. However, some things appear easy–even when they are very difficult. The problem with some complex responsibilities is that they may seem simple on the surface, yet they may be complicated in reality. For example, crossing a field of fifty yards seems simple, right? However, if that field is a minefield, it might be a very hazardous crossing, indeed! On the surface, both … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Estate Planning Minefields: You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
How to Dispose of “Stuff”
Clients are often most concerned about how to dispose of their tangible personal property, i.e., their “stuff.” Often even wealthy clients are most concerned with the things around them rather than their financial accounts. What’s the best way to handle the “stuff”? Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about How to Dispose of “Stuff”
Reasons to Review and Update Your Estate Plan
It’s a good feeling to have a solid, comprehensive estate plan in place. Not only does it give you peace of mind right now, but you know that it’ll protect you in the future. The only problem with estate planning is that your circumstances can and probably will change as you age. As a result, you need to review and update your estate plan regularly. Time alone is reason enough to take a closer look at what you have in place. For example, if it has been several years since your last review, … [Read more...] about Reasons to Review and Update Your Estate Plan
Using Disclaimers to Achieve Client Goals
Disclaimers can be a good way of getting assets where you want them to go. If the disclaimer is a “qualified disclaimer,” the client isn’t treated as having made a taxable gift. This can be a great result for the client in the right circumstances. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Using Disclaimers to Achieve Client Goals
What Keeps a New Mom Up at Night Besides the Baby?
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee The birth of a new baby is a wondrous, joyous event. Henry David Thoreau said that “every child begins the world again.” Your world certainly began anew with your new baby! It was a long path, and it all seemed to happen so fast! But, it seems like there are still so many decisions to be made now and as your baby grows from infant to toddler, to school-age, to young adult. And, who would make those decisions if something … [Read more...] about What Keeps a New Mom Up at Night Besides the Baby?
