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Showing 7 posts in Wills and Trusts.
Give Now, Save Later – Capturing Current Estate and Gift Tax Exemptions
Many people think of an estate plan as a way for their assets to be distributed in the future, after their deaths. However, in some situations, it may be more advantageous to make at least some of those planned gifts now—and help your loved ones avoid some of the financial burden of estate taxes. Especially for individuals with high net worth, taxes could become much greater when the currently increased lifetime exemption amount “sunsets” on January 1, 2026. More >
Revocable Trusts—Are They Right for You?
When it comes to planning for your financial legacy, concepts and strategies tend to be complicated and often overwhelming, so it’s only natural that people look for simple solutions to their not-so-simple problems. Revocable, or “living”, trusts are often touted as a cure-all for estate planning ailments, but no estate planning strategy is “one size fits all,” so it’s best to look carefully at your particular situation and make sure a revocable trust is really the best choice for your estate plan. More >
Divorced? It’s Time to Update Your Estate Plan
Most people create their estate plans while they are married—leaving all of their assets to the surviving spouse and putting the surviving spouse in charge of their affairs upon death or incapacity. However, if you’ve recently gotten divorced and haven’t touched your estate plan since, an update is long overdue. More >
Your Estate Plan Needs a Back-Up Plan
Because few people want to think about the circumstances where their estate plan would come into play, even fewer think about the consequences if their estate plan may not be able to be carried out as they wished. This most frequently occurs in the event that designated individuals are unable to perform the duties allotted to them. Here are a few of the roles for which you should designate a back-up in your estate plan—and what could happen if you don’t. More >
Why You Should Create a Living Will and Power of Attorney for Your Eighteen-Year-Old
By the time their child turns eighteen, parents are well-accustomed to being able to advocate for their child in a number of ways and access information that helps them care for their child. However, once their child has reached the age of legal majority, parents must be granted permission by their child to access information such as medical records and bank accounts and can no longer speak or sign for their child in a legal capacity. In the event of an emergency, this can cause some serious complications for parents and children alike. More >
Don’t Delay—Proposed Changes to Estate Tax Law Aim to Eliminate Step-Up in Basis
If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start planning your estate, don’t wait any longer—the right time may be in the rearview before you know it. With a new administration in the White House, tax reform is on the agenda in Washington, and the proposed changes would have a major effect on many estates, especially for high-net-worth individuals. More >
Steps to Take After the Death of a Loved One
The loss of a loved one is an emotional and often overwhelming situation. The steps below provide a guide to handling the estate of the deceased individual. More >