Category Archives: Estate Planning
Even the Most “Normal” Families Require Special Estate Planning Consideration
Many people would like to think that estate planning is a piece of cake: choose your beneficiaries, write up a simple will, and voila – you’re done! The truth is that while estate planning can sometimes be achieved with this amount of simplicity, most of the time there’s more to it than that—a lot… Read More »
Take Advantage of Tax Law Changes and Give Grandkids a Head Start
We’ve recently seen a number of news stories with disturbing figures about the rising cost of college education, and the growing inability of graduates to pay off the debt they incur from student loans. In fact, recent studies reveal that student loan debt now exceeds credit card debt in the U.S.! All of this… Read More »
Estate Tax Calculator May Provide a Peek into the Future
Everyone who kept up with the recent changes in the estate tax laws—and the flurry of speculation, news stories and blog posts that came with it—knows just how important estate taxes are to estate planning. Although we make it clear on our blog that estate planning should be at least as much about family… Read More »
The Importance of Estate Planning for New Parents
News sources such as the Washington Post entertainment section promise that this summer will be flush with celebrity newborns and proud mamas and papas. Some of the stars expecting additions to their families include Natalie Portman, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Connelly and more. Here at our office we wonder how many of these new parents… Read More »
How to Protect and Pass On Artwork, Antiques, and Other Valuable Assets
Some assets—such as real property, stocks and savings—are fairly straightforward when it comes to bequeathal to heirs; other assets—such as valuable artwork or antiques—are not so easy. How do you will an asset to a loved one when there is no deed of ownership? And just as importantly, how do these paperless assets figure… Read More »
The Benefits of a Retirement Trust
Most of us start thinking about retirement as soon as we get our first job. Even if we can’t start saving as much as we’d like right away, we know it’s there, looming on the horizon, and we think about it. The closer we get to retirement age the more we begin to consider… Read More »
How Successful CEOs Keep the Family Business in the Family
How long will your family business stay in the family? One generation? Two generations? How about 4 generations down the line? The truth is that very few family business stay in the family beyond the first generation. Statistically, Only 40% of family owned businesses survive to the second generation, 12% to the third, and… Read More »
One Simple Step Now Can Save Time and Money Later
Being named as the executor of the estate of a deceased loved one comes with many challenges, including dealing with the probate system, and refereeing unhappy family members; but one of the most difficult (and least discussed) challenges is sorting through the plethora of paper and information that people collect over the course of… Read More »
Memories Make Your Legacy About More Than Property Alone
Have you ever wished you could go back in time and know your mother or father as a young person? Have you researched your family history or genealogy and kicked yourself for not asking your grandparents about their knowledge and experiences when you had a chance? Technology has changed so much in the past… Read More »
Protecting Your Children with a Nomination of Guardians
Choosing a guardian for your minor child could be one of the most personal decisions you ever make—it’s also one of the most important, which is why many couples turn to an attorney they trust to not only help them draft their nomination document, but also help advise them in this crucial decision. With… Read More »