Perhaps you signed your Will years ago and need to make a few adjustments. It seems simple, so you decide to go about amending your Will on your own. Unfortunately, Wills are not really do-it-yourself projects. Incorrectly amending your Will can lead to trouble after you have passed away. But you still need to make those...
Whether it is your first time or your third, marriage has a profound effect on your life. Many things may change from your address to your estate planning goals. While planning your wedding and honeymoon, take some time to make your estate plan reflect your new life. It’s important for the future of your new spouse...
In December of 2017, President Trump signed a tax reform bill into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act generated a lot of excitement for provisions that reduced taxes and greatly increased the estate tax exemption. This law also provided a significant benefit to small business owners – the 20% small business deduction. However, there are...
Pets are often a big part of our families. In fact, some people refer to themselves as pet parents or speak of their pets as if they were their children. It’s important to care for our animal friends, and this is true even after we have passed on. Some people set up pet trust while others...
We all own things. But when we die, where does our property go? How will our final debts be paid? This is where probate comes in. After someone dies, their Will usually is submitted to a probate court.  Even if there was no Will, the probate court will likely appoint a Personal Representative. What follows is...
President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law on December 22, 2017. Tax reform offered sweeping changes for the individual taxpayer and business entity, like a limited liability company (LLC). Limited Liability Companies (LLC) Are Popular, Now More Than Ever For years now, the limited liability company has been one of the most...
It may seem simple to determine who “owns” real estate. After all, the state maintains property records that are open to the public, and the owner’s name typically appears in those records. However, there are different types of property ownership. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, tenants by entirety vs joint tenants are...
Most estate plans include a Will, maybe a trust, a durable power of attorney, and an advance directive. Your advance directive may or may not include a Living Will. It’s totally your choice. However, there are significant reasons to sign a Living Will. In this article, we will consider those reasons and what may happen if...
Retirement planning is about money. People need to plan ahead in order to have enough money for retirement. Estate planning is about more than money. However, a major part of estate planning does involve taking care of your money and other assets. When thinking of the connection between estate and retirement planning, trusts may be the...
Author Mark Twain famously said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter – ‘tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” He was referring to words, but the concept works in other situations. Sometimes two things are similarly named but are actually very different. In estate...
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