Intestancy: Passing Without Estate Planning - What Happens?

Overviews the process of intenstancy laws when one dies without leaving a will or trust as part of their financial planning.

Estate Planning and Your Pets

You have diligently outlined what should become of your children in the event of your death or disability. You’ve planned your estate, appointed guardians and possibly even shared your estate plan with family members and trusted caretakers. But doesn’t something feel as if it’s missing? Perhaps you need to plan provisions for what should become of your pets once you are no longer able to care for them.

Private Trust Companies

Private Trust Companies have gained in popularity in recent years. They provide a means by which a settlor can retain a greater degree of control over his trust affairs, without compromising the validity of the trust structure. A Private Trust Company offers both convenience and flexibility and enhanced protection for fiduciaries.

Planning for the Intangibles

Over views questions surrounding intangible digital assets as a relative consideration to ones estate planning needs.

Private Annuity Trust, Charitable Remainder Trust or 1031-TIC: Which Is Right for You?

You may have heard about Private Annuity Trusts, Charitable Remainder Trusts and 1031 Tenant in Common Exchanges, but how do you decide if one is right for you? There are several things you should think about when trying to choose between these three options:

How Can An Estate Plan Help Me?

Do you know how your life will be divided after your death? Who will your estate go to? Who will look after your children? With an estate plan you decide. You are in control of your family’s security in the event that something tragic should happen.

Developing Your Estate Plan

You've spent years growing your wealth and building your estate, so it is just good sense to plan to protect your assets and pass them on to your beneficiaries according to your wishes. When you're ready to sit down and develop an estate plan, keep these tips in mind.

Appointing A Financially Literate Executor

Choosing and appointing a financially literate executor is an important consideration when writing your will. He gives you and your beneficiaries peace of mind and the assurance of compensation to his customers.

Ira Trusts: What's All The Hype About

A recent new development in estate planning is helping thousands of affluent people across the country with IRAs over 100,000 transcend estate tax and income tax. It keeps your beneficiaries from blowing all of the money you’ve worked so hard for.

Durable Powers of Attorney

One of our greatest frustrations as elder law attorneys is not being able to help families implement strategies that would qualify their loved one for Medicaid and protect family assets because a power of attorney is insufficient to allow us to do what we need to do. Therefore, we thought it would be beneficial to address durable powers of attorney in this issue.

Choosing Guardians for Children

The most important decision you'll make in your estate plan is appointing guardians for your minor children. Who you pick will impact not only your children but also the lives of your guardians. While you and your children may feel an affinity for a particular adult(s), that relationship could be strained in a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week environment. Where should you begin in picking a guardian?

Estate Planning: Make Sure Your Wishes are Honored

A medical power of attorney and living will are crucial estate planning steps, and like long term care insurance, must be set in place early in life for optimal protection.

Top Asset Protection Strategies

Contrary to popular beliefs, asset protection does not mean hiding assets, and is not a trick to evade authority. Asset protection also does not involve deceptive agreements or fraudulent transfers. It is simply smart and safe financial planning. It uses the cunning of business and tools of financial planning to safe guard your assets from being extracted by outsiders who do not have any right to or claim on your hard earned money.

Selecting Trustees and Executors - Some Considerations and Ideas

Selecting an executor or trustee is often the last consideration when preparing an estate plan. When planning out a will or trust, it seems so much more important and interesting to decide how the property is to be given away! Oftentimes, the issue of who takes the reins as the executor or trustee takes a back seat to these other issues. But little is more important.