Category Archives: Estate Planning
Charitable Giving Through Legacy Planning
Most of our readers and clients are concerned about more than just making a will or trust; they want to leave a legacy which reflects their values and beliefs. One popular way to do this is to make charitable giving a part of your estate plan; but you don’t have to wait until the… Read More »
Planning for Death Can Be a Celebration of Life
Halloween is the one day of the year when not only is it ok to think about death, it’s expected! So it seems like the perfect time to bring up the subject of funerals—specifically your own funeral. It has been said that funerals and memorial services are for those who are left behind after… Read More »
Entrepreneurs, Family Business, and Estate Planning
If you’re an entrepreneur, or a small or family business owner, you have more to lose if you don’t have an estate plan. An estate plan help you protect not only your family and your assets, but also the business you’ve spent years (or decades) building. A recent article at Entrepreneur.com, entitled What Entrepreneurs… Read More »
There’s No Excuse for No Nomination of Guardians
Children are a blessing… But being a parent is a difficult job! Most parents of young children already feel overwhelmed with the necessary day to day responsibilities, the last thing they want to do in their down time is think about the difficult and emotional subject of guardianship and estate planning. This explains why,… Read More »
When is the Best Time to Plan Your Estate?
The estate tax laws of the past few years have been so inconsistent that many people are still “waiting for things to even out” before they create (or update) an estate plan. This wait-and-see approach seems perfectly reasonable on the surface; after all, nobody wants to spend hard-earned money creating an estate plan only… Read More »
Death of Steve Jobs Saddens the World
The recent death of creative visionary and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs saddened the world. News of his death traveled like wildfire, and had the online social networks humming with tributes, memorial posts, and sentiments of grief. Mr. Jobs was very private about his personal life, but through his public appearances and his support of… Read More »
How to Cope After the Death of a Spouse
Losing a spouse may be one of the most difficult life events that any of us have to deal with. A spouse is a parenting partner, a co-CFO, a best friend and a beloved soul mate. Losing the person who supports you in so many ways can create an emptiness which can be almost… Read More »
The Pros and Cons of a Crummey Trust
If you are looking for a reliable way to leave financial gifts to family members you may find that a Crummey trust is the right estate planning strategy for your family. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal explains that “Crummey trusts are used in many circumstances, but are best suited for making… Read More »
When “Equal” is not Always “Fair”
Every parent wants to be fair to their children; avoid showing favoritism, give each the same advantages, and eventually leaving each a fair and equal inheritance. But every parent also knows that there are times when equal is not always fair—a dilemma that is often faced by parents drawing up their will or estate… Read More »
Three Estate Planning Documents You Need During Your Lifetime
There are a number of very important documents in your estate plan which come into play after your death, but as this article in Forbes reminds us, there are two or three estate planning documents that are of the utmost importance while you are still alive: your Healthcare Proxy, your Advance Directive (also called… Read More »