Browse Our Estate Planning Articles
Some of these articles have been written by our law firm and other articles are written by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and compliments of our law firm. Any feedback or questions about the articles can be addressed by contacting our office.
What to Expect When You're Inheriting
Most of us have daydreamed about inheriting money, but the reality of inheriting often doesn't match our dreams. In the real world, an inheritance can bring with it a number of questions and worries. Here we address four common concerns about inheritances.
READ MORE 
Helping Your Parents Age Gracefully
Your mom and dad have always been there to guide you through life's challenges. Now, the tables are turning. Learn some strategies for gently helping your parents plan for the challenges they're likely to face as they age.
READ MORE
Does a Roth Make Sense for You?
Choosing between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA can have significant tax and estate planning consequences. Whether a Roth is the right option depends on a number of factors, including an account owner's current income, anticipated post-retirement income, and estate planning goals.
READ MORE
Five Estate Planning Myths
Estate planning is on everyone's "should do" list, but it rarely seems to make it to the top of the "to do" list. Perhaps this is because of all the myths surrounding the estate planning process. Here are five common estate planning myths, along with the truths behind them.
READ MORE
Getting Value Out of Giving with Charitable Trust
You've heard the maxim, "It's better to give than to receive." Americans take this aphorism to heart, especially as it relates to contributions to charity. Did you know that our tax laws actually encourage charitable giving? This article will explain gift-giving options from small to large, each with tax-savings implications.
READ MORE
The Estate Tax Is Not the Only Consideration
in Estate Planning
The U.S. Congress continually debates the estate tax, often considering whether or not it should be done away with entirely. Many people think this tax is a cornerstone of estate planning, so if it's eliminated, they don't need an estate plan. Nothing is further from the truth. This article explains why.
READ MORE
There's No Time Like the Present to Review your Plans
Time passes quickly. Life brings change. While these may seem like platitudes, they reflect the truth of most people's lives. This article will encourage you to recognize a new life stage as an opportunity to review and fine tune your estate plan.
READ MORE
Leaving a Ranching Legacy
Ranch life comes with its own particular challenges and rewards. Therefore, ranch families have even more need for professional advice than other families when it comes to finding the most effective means of passing on their assets, which may be more substantial than they suppose. This article explores various means that can be employed to create an estate plan which minimizes taxes and distributes assets equitably.
READ MORE
Is Your Ex-Spouse Really Out of Your Life?
Divorce is bad enough, but did you know that your children and new spouse can suffer financial devastation if you do not remember to change your estate planning documents after a divorce?
READ MORE
Make Sure Your Dreams Don't Turn Into Nightmares
The financial consequences of a divorce can be costly. You can do things right now to protect future generations in your family from suffering financial devastation after a breakup.
READ MORE
Look After Your Spouse Even After You're Gone
You and your spouse have worked hard to save for your golden years. But have you planned for a long, secure retirement if one of you outlives the other? Here’s how paying attention to certain key financial areas can set both of you up for a secure, worry-free retirement.
READ MORE
Choose Your Estate Planning Practitioner Wisely
Who should you entrust with planning your estate? Unfortunately, the estate planning industry can be a mixed bag. Along with licensed, qualified attorneys there are unqualified, or even unlicensed, individuals producing cookie-cutter estate plans that may or may not work as intended. Find out why you should choose your estate planning practitioner wisely.
READ MORE
Don't be Fooled: Estate Planning Isn't Just for the Wealthy
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. The truth is, estate planning is about achieving some pretty common goals and taking care of basic responsibilities, regardless of how big or small our investment portfolio happens to be.
READ MORE
Short and Sweet is Not Always Better
When you compare a do-it-yourself living trust with one that was prepared by a qualified estate planning attorney, one of the first things you’re likely to notice is that the attorney-prepared trust is long. And it might not be so easy to read. There’s a good reason for this. This article discusses the reasons why planning for contingencies with an attorney drafted estate plan is the better choice. When it comes to estate planning, there’s any number of contingencies to prepare for.
READ MORE
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
When you really think about it, your true wealth is much more than just your accumulated assets or material possessions. With the right plan, you can protect and preserve your true wealth and create a legacy for your family that will last for generations to come.
READ MORE
Practical Strategies for Protecting Your Privacy
We’re all exposed to invasions of our privacy, large and small, during our lifetimes and even after death. These practical strategies make it easier to shield your family’s personal affairs from prying eyes.
READ MORE
Puppy Love: Planning Your Estate With a Pet Trust
Increasingly, pet owners are not just worried about providing for our pets during our lifetimes, we want to ensure that they get all the love and care they need after we’re gone, too. This article discusses the estate planning benefits a Pet Trust can provide for your furry and feathered animal companions.
READ MORE
Estate Planning Without a Crystal Ball
When you are planning your estate, it is important to remember that circumstances rarely stay the same over long periods of time. A plan that worked for your family when the kids were little may very well be obsolete by the time they've started families of their own. This is why it's important to ensure that you build flexibility into your plan.
READ MORE
Planning Your Estate? Don't Forget Insurance
The term "estate planning" usually calls to mind the process of creating a Will, establishing a Living Trust, or naming a guardian for young children. One piece of the estate planning puzzle that might not be readily apparent, though, is insurance. Learn how insurance in its many forms plays an important role in the estate planning process.
READ MORE
Help! My Attorney No Longer Practices Law
It's not something we often stop to think about, but attorneys experience life changes like anyone else. They may change careers or experience an illness or disability, or they may retire or even pass away. This article discusses the steps you should take if your estate planning lawyer no longer practices law.
READ MORE
What to Expect When You're Inheriting
At some point in our lives, we all dream of receiving an inheritance. We envision buying a new car, finally being able to afford private schools for the kids, or maybe even taking a trip around the world. But the reality of inheriting money or property often differs from our dreams. The process of settling an estate and distributing a deceased person’s assets can be time consuming. During this process you may have questions about taxes on various types of assets you may be inheriting, such as IRAs, valuable collectibles, and other property. This article provides a summary on what you can expect during this process if you’re anticipating an inheritance.
READ MORE
Parenting Your Grandchildren? You Need a Solid Estate Plan
According to data collected in the 2010 census, 4.9 million children under age eighteen live in grandparent-headed households. If you are in this growing number of grandparents returning to your “parent” role again, one of the pressing responsibilities that accompany your job as caregiver is to make sure you have a plan for your grandchildren in the event that something happens to you. And because you’re older now than you were the first time around, planning becomes even more important. This article reviews why it is imperative to have an estate plan in place and what a basic plan should include.
READ MORE
One Big Happy Family: How to Avoid an Estate Dispute
Picture this… You’re at the end of your long, fulfilling life and you’re ready to say goodbye to your loved ones and leave this world in peace. And then… your family declares war on each other. This scenario plays out all too often even in the closest of families. This article examines helpful ways to plan and avoid divisive family disputes after you are gone.
READ MORE
Helping Your Parents Through Their Twilight Years
As a child, your parents were there to guide and support you as you faced life’s challenges and obstacles in your path growing up. Similarly, as your parents age, and become less independent, they will rely on you as they face new challenges in their twilight years. This article examines how planning well in advance is important to ensure that no matter what lies ahead, their care and financial affairs will be looked after. Regardless of their financial means, if they are wealthy or of more modest means, there is a plan that can meet the specific needs of your family.
READ MORE
Why are Roth's Such a Big Deal?
A Roth IRA has some important distinctions from a traditional IRA, and, depending on your tax bracket, your retirement needs, and your estate planning goals, a Roth could be a better choice for you. So, what's the difference between the two types of IRAs? This article explores how each IRA works and which option can best fit your personal needs and goals.
READ MORE
10 Essential Estate Planning Facts
An alarming 55% of American's don't have an estate plan in place. Procrastination is a common excuse. However, for many people it's a lack of knowledge about estate planning, including the benefits, their options and the protections it offers them and their families. This article reviews 10 essential estate planning facts that will arm with you with enough knowlege to cross estate planning off your "to do" list.
READ MORE
What Does a Millionaire Look Like?
Last year, the number of households in the United States with a net worth of $1 million or more grew by 16%, reaching 7.8 million. So, what does a typical American millionaire look like? The answer may surprise you. This article reveals characteristics and habits these self-made millionaires have in common and how you can learn and prosper from their example.
READ MORE
Recently Divorced? Make Sure You Tie Up All The Loose Ends
As anyone who's been through a divorce can confirm, it can be an emotionally draining and devastating experience. Once the divorce is finalized, you may think that all your legal ties to your former spouse are completely severed. However, it couldn't be further from the truth - especially if you created an estate plan while you were married. This article discusses which estate planning documents need to reviewed and newly created, and the beneficiary designations that need to be updated after a divorce.
READ MORE
What to Do With a Windfall
We've all had dreams of striking it rich one day. But what would you do if your dream actually became reality? If you unexpectedly come into an inheritance or a large sum of money, it is important to know what other issues come with this new found wealth. Taxes, estate planning and financial planning to name a few, need to be considered and addressed. This article covers what to do if your dream of sudden wealth comes true and how best to handle this happy windfall.
READ MORE
How to Help Others While Reducing Your Taxes
Lately it seems like natural disasters around the world are regular occurrences; from earthquakes in South America and China to hurricanes in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. We feel empathetic for the victims, but often feel powerless to help. While we may be too far to personally help the victims of these disasters, many of us send donations to help people in these communities. However, sending a check may not be the wisest choice for taking advantage of the potential tax saving benefits offered through other gifting methods. This article discusses the main gifting strategies for maximizing tax benefits, such as Charitable Trusts.
READ MORE
Home Comforts: Maximizing Your Most Valuable Asset
If you're like many Americans, your home is your single most valuable asset, both emotionally and financially. In addition to being the center of your family life and possibly your most significant financial investment, your home can offer you benefits in terms of taxes, estate planning and asset protection. This article provides various examples of the benefits you can take advantage of as a home owner. With the help of a qualified estate planning attorney, you can make the most of your home, now and in the future.
READ MORE
Estate Planning: It's About More Than Taxes
In 2010, contrary to a lot of people's expectations, Congress allowed the one-year repeal of the estate tax. Despite all the fuss, the estate tax repeal didn't eliminate the need for estate planning. Why? Estate planning is about so much more than just taxes. This article discusses the many non-tax related reasons why it's important to have an estate plan in place.
READ MORE
Keeping Your Vacation Home in the Family
Vacation homes hold a special place in our hearts with fond memories of special times shared with family. However, most people do not realize that leaving the family's vacation home to their children without proper planning can be devastating to their ongoing relationships and can tear the family apart. This article discusses the estate planning options available to preserve family relationships and keep the vacation home in the family through the use of special shared use agreements and separate funds that will pay for any expenses.
READ MORE
Top Reasons to Do Estate Planning--What are You Waiting For?
People have many different reasons to do estate planning. This article discusses the top 8 reasons which estate planning attorneys say motivate their clients to plan, which range from vacations to law changes. The bottom line is that people do estate planning in order to take care of their loved ones and to assure the legacy they envision. Don't wait until it is too late, create a plan today and ensure that when you pass away your loved ones will discover a coherent estate plan without the emotional and financial mess.
READ MORE
Who Handles the Finances in Your Family?
Often a couple may divide up everyday chores. Dividing up the work can be a great way to ease the burdens of life. But, what would happen if the person responsible for money matters died or suffered an incapacitating event? This article reveals a list of 13 important questions you should ask to ensure your financial well-being.
The list includes asking about bank accounts, life insurance, bills and estate planning. When illness, incapacity or death strike, it's important to know where things are and what to do. Make sure you know the answers and are prepared for whatever may come your way.
READ MORE
When Father Time Catches Up With Our Parents
We all expect it to happen eventually. Our parents getting older. Not just older chronologically, but physically and mentally older as well. When these turn of events happen, there may also come a time when your parents will need more care than you can provide on your own. They may eventually need in-home care, or an assisted living facility, or even a nursing home. Are you prepared? In this article you will find out the steps you should take to secure your parents future, as well as your own. Also discussed is your ability to help them plan now for these eventual needs and help them prepare for this next stage in life when the time comes.
READ MORE
Preserving Grandma's Legacy
You find your grandma's estate planning documents when you're helping her organize her attic. The documents were dated two decades ago, just before grandpa died. After grandma dies, the assets will have to be split among her three kids. However, since the estate plan was drafted, the family's circumstances have changed considerably and things aren't quite that simple anymore. Leaving her assets outright to her 3 children would mean that their inheritance would be lost to creditors and medical expenses. This article discusses the importance of having an up-to-date estate plan to preserve your legacy and family history as well as having a conversation with family members about their own planning.
READ MORE
How to Avoid Estate Planning Minefields: You Don't Know What You Don't Know
Some things seem like they should be easy--and they are easy. However, the problem with some complex responsibilities is that they may seem simple on the surface, yet they may be very difficult in reality. This is equally true for estate planning. However, experts can spot the hidden problems which the ordinary person may not. This article looks at the problems one couple had when they opted to use do-it-yourself estate planning software instead of consulting with an attorney. There was a hidden minefield that caused everything the family had worked for to be lost to an ex-spouse. Something that could easily have been avoided had they consulted with an experienced estate planning attorney. Find out what some of the most common estate planning minefields are and how you can avoid them.
READ MORE
Preserving Your Independence
As we get older, it often seems that time accelerates. Where does all the time go? Aging is a normal part of life. Unfortunately, as we age later in life we are no longer as able-bodied as when we were younger. What would happen if your health took a turn for the worst? This article discusses planning for the future using a Medicaid Income Only Trust. This type of trust can help preserve your financial independence, but there are certain guidelines that must be followed. Plan to protect your independence, see a qualified estate planning and elder law attorney today and discuss your options.
READ MORE
Family Feud - Don't Let This Be Your Legacy
Few things are as heart-wrenching as a dispute among family members. Problems in an estate or trust can often cause deep divisions in a family, divisions that outside forces might never have been able to cause. This article discusses five easy steps you can take to avoid disputes over your estate and ensure harmony continues long after your death.
READ MORE
4 Deaths, 3 Estate Planning Mistakes
What would you want to leave behind for your family when you pass away? If the answer is not a contentious mess, then planning is required. Unfortunately, only 44% of Americans have a simple Will, much less a well-coordinated estate plan. In this story there are 4 deaths with 4 different outcomes. Each had the best of intentions but only one provided for their loved ones after their passing. A qualified estate planning attorney, one who focuses his or her practice in estate planning, can help you craft a well-coordinated estate plan that will provide for your loved ones who were left behind and avoid the 3 mistakes made by these families.
READ MORE
The Top 10 Things to Know About Estate Planning
Many people are often confused by Estate Planning. Here is a list of the top things to know about Estate Planning.
READ MORE
