Category Archives: Estate Planning
To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now
As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and addresses the… Read More »
Corporate Transparency Act Update
Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which took effect January 1, 2024, many business entities including small limited liability companies (LLCs) and partnerships are required to file reports with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN). In these filings, applicable businesses must disclose important information about their entity. However, recent developments have called… Read More »
How Does a Wrongful Death Claim Impact Probate Proceedings?
A wrongful death claim and probate proceedings are both civil legal matters that occur after somebody has died. When the death of a loved one is caused by another individual or entity, it can lead to the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit and, ultimately, the awarding of compensation to surviving family members. Probate… Read More »
Qualified Domestic Trusts: Your Jumpstart to Protecting Your Noncitizen Spouse
Married couples love each other and want the best for each other. Establishing a comprehensive estate plan is one way to provide the best for each other. Not only does an estate plan protect you when you are unable to care for yourself during your lifetime, but it also protects your hard-earned money and… Read More »
What Can I Not Do as Trustmaker and Trustee of a Revocable Living Trust?
Wills and living trusts are two of the most fundamental estate planning documents. While both accomplish the same primary objective in an estate plan of directing the distributions of your money and property to your desired beneficiaries after you pass away, a revocable living trust, often referred to simply as a living trust or… Read More »
What Happens to An Adult Child Living at Home When Their Parents Pass Away?
Today more young adults are living at home with their parents than at any time since the 1940s. While there are many different opinions about this trend and the cause of its recent prevalence, the primary motivation for young adults staying at home with their parents is usually related to finances. Most adult children… Read More »
Who Will Care for Your Child When You Cannot?
As a parent, you are responsible for the care of your minor child. In most circumstances, this means getting them up for school, making sure they are fed, and providing for other basic needs. However, what would happen if you and your child’s other parent were unable to care for them? It is important… Read More »
What to Do When a Disability Throws Your Estate Plan into Chaos
As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency in life. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury, or chronic medical condition can force you to reevaluate the core assumptions you used to… Read More »
Intrafamily Loans and How They Work
Intrafamily loans are financial arrangements between family members—one who is lending and another who is borrowing. An intrafamily loan may be used to help a family member who needs money for a number of reasons: buying a home funding or purchasing shares in a business adding accounts or property to investment portfolios paying down… Read More »
Are Pensions Treated the Same in Your Estate Plan as Other Retirement Accounts?
The first private pension plan in the United States was established in the late 1800s. Through 1980, nearly 40 percent of Americans were covered by a traditional employer-funded pension. But employer-provided retirement plans have now largely shifted to retirement savings vehicles like 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) that place most of the… Read More »
