This article looks at the question of how much is too much to leave your children. Many people have pledged to give the majority of their wealth to charity. If you won’t leave all your assets to your children, the article provides resources for vetting worthwhile charities. How Much is Too Much? … [Read more...] about How Much is Too Much?
Estate Planning
Planning for Special Needs Children
Planning is important when providing for any of your children. But planning is even more important for special needs children. Without proper planning, an inheritance can jeopardize a special needs child’s needs-based benefits, such as SSI or Medicaid. Read on to learn more about planning for special needs children. Planning for Special Needs Children … [Read more...] about Planning for Special Needs Children
Disinheritance
Each of us will die eventually. This article looks at how planning can make your passing easier for those whom you leave behind. Specifically, this article will look at how you can disinherit someone with the least disruption to the family. Disinheritance … [Read more...] about Disinheritance
Your Planning Can Help Your Loved Ones
Each of us will die eventually. This article looks at how planning can make your passing easier for your loved ones. Specifically, this article will look at the importance of the manner in which assets are left for your loved ones. Your Planning Can Help Your Loved Ones … [Read more...] about Your Planning Can Help Your Loved Ones
The Importance of Communicating Your Plans
Each of us will die eventually. This article looks at how planning can make your passing easier for those whom you leave behind. Specifically, this article will look at the importance of communicating your plans with your loved ones to avoid disputes after your death. The Importance of Communicating Your Plans … [Read more...] about The Importance of Communicating Your Plans
How Can I Protect My Non-Citizen Spouse in My Estate Plan?
Not all that long ago it was fairly unusual for individuals from different backgrounds, much less different countries, to ever meet given the practical limitations of travel. Given that people rarely met people from other countries, they were even less likely to marry someone from another country. Over the last several decades, however, advances in science and technology have caused national borders to all but disappear. Nott surprisingly, a dramatic increase in intermarriage in America has … [Read more...] about How Can I Protect My Non-Citizen Spouse in My Estate Plan?
Planning for Step-Children
If your spouse has biological children, you may consider them your own. But, if you haven’t adopted them, they have no inheritance rights. This article looks at how to plan for step-children. Planning for Step-Children … [Read more...] about Planning for Step-Children
Tom Petty’s Family Members Battle Over His Estate
One of rock’s legends, singer-songwriter Tom Petty, died of an accidental drug overdose on October 2, 2017 at the age of 66. As is so often the case when a blended family is left behind, tension between his widow, Dana York Petty, and his two daughters from Petty’s prior marriage over the estate he left behind started to build shortly after his death. That tension has not abated in the intervening year and a half. On the contrary, it appears to have gotten worse. Tom Petty’s estate is yet … [Read more...] about Tom Petty’s Family Members Battle Over His Estate
Clarity is Key to Planning
Clarity is essential in an estate plan. This article examines the case of Tom Petty, what he did right and what he did wrong. It shows that clarity can avoid problems later. Clarity is Key to Planning … [Read more...] about Clarity is Key to Planning
Consequences of Modifying an Irrevocable Trust
Irrevocable trusts often can be modified. They can be modified under the Uniform Trust Code or a state law decanting. While these modifications may be determinative of the state law consequences, they may not determine federal tax consequences. Read on to learn more. Consequences of Modifying an Irrevocable Trust … [Read more...] about Consequences of Modifying an Irrevocable Trust
