Many people think of probate (the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a deceased person’s money and property) as a private process. However, because wills are filed at the courthouse, probated estates become a matter of public record. That...
When you create or update your estate plan, one of your goals should be to ensure that your final wishes are fulfilled. If you are concerned about challenges to your estate plan, consider the following: 1. Do not “do...
After all is said and done, what is the real legacy you leave? How will people remember you? Money and property are important, but they can also make emotions run high and introduce new problems. Perhaps a deeper introspection is...
When the 'in-laws' become the 'out-laws', inherited assets may be seized through divorce proceedings if not properly protected. Learn how a retirement trust can help.
What is a trust protector? Traditionally, the three roles that must be filled when setting up a trust are the settlor (also called a grantor, trustor, or trustmaker), the trustee, and the beneficiary. All three roles are necessary to...
Have you heard of a life insurance trust? This estate planning strategy gives you more control over your life insurance benefits.
Over the years, people have become more aware of the benefits of contributing to retirement plans. And with baby boomers retiring, the question becomes how to protect this investment if they don’t spend it all. Realizing that the money...
So, you've created your trust, established a pour over will, and named your trustees. After all that time, effort and cost, surely you're all set, right? Not quite.
Much of estate planning has to do with the way a person’s assets will be distributed upon their death. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. From smart incapacity planning to diligent probate avoidance, there is a lot that goes into crafting a comprehensive estate plan. One important factor to consider is asset protection.
When I went to law school, I knew that I wanted to become a tax lawyer. So I took all the tax courses I could, and after law school, I went to work in the tax department of the...
