Planning For The ‘What-Ifs’
People in many different personal circumstances decide to add trusts to their estate plans. They may have concerns about the needs of family members, such as a child with a history of substance abuse or a loved one with special needs. On the other hand, people may...
No one wants to confront their own mortality, and discussions about what happens after your death can be very uncomfortable. Given that you love and respect your parents, you may not want to bring up an unpleasant and difficult topic, but you may have concerns about...
Family-owned businesses provide a vital source of support for the family. Because this is probably the sole or primary income for the home, it’s crucial that the owners ensure that income can continue if they pass away. This takes a combination of estate planning and...
The property in your name when you die will become your estate, and what happens to that property will have a profound impact on how people remember you and the lives your closest loved ones leads after your death. What instructions you leave behind will determine...
The internet has completely changed certain industries. The rise of online shopping has led to streamlined retail operations and created new niches for many other businesses. Professionals ranging from accountants to mental health professionals have attempted to...
You probably did not expect to get divorced after 55, but it is not so unusual in The Valley anymore. In fact, so-called "gray divorce" is on the rise across the country. Americans are living longer, and many are deciding they do not want to spend their golden years...
Estate planning is one area of law where people often assume they do not require professional help. After all, estate planning is not an adversarial process like responding to a lawsuit or criminal charges. Additionally, the internet has a huge array of downloadable...
Far too often, what one intends as a final expression of generosity towards friends and family turns sour when the beneficiaries of a will let gratitude give way to greed. No matter the size of your estate, you can stop future quibbling before it begins by planning your estate carefully. Most often, when people challenge a will, it is because…
Thanks to quick action by Congress, estate tax cuts put in place by President George W. Bush were extended in late 2010, keeping huge tax bills at bay for most Americans until 2013. American Bar Association (ABA) real property/trust/estate law section chairman Alan Rothschild estimates that only one-half of one percent of those who die in 2011 will be subject…
Comprehensive Advice on the Potential Tax Liabilities of Your Estate When planning for the future, the one thing many individuals and families overlook is the potential tax liability relating to their estate. Upon your death, your estate, any assets and property minus your debts, is taxable. These taxes can limit the amount of your assets and property that remain in…
