Category Archives: Estate Planning
Difference Between Transfer on Death and Payable on Death Designation
Adding a payable on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD) designation to an account allows the assets (money and property) in that account to be passed to a named beneficiary when the original account holder dies. But what is the difference between payable on death vs transfer on death accounts? Like trusts, POD… Read More »
Should the Trustee of My Trust Be Different During My Incapacity Than at My Death?
When you create a trust, choosing a trustee is one of the most important decisions you will make. If you create a revocable living trust—that is, a trust that you establish during your lifetime and can revoke or amend—you may opt to act as trustee for your trust, retaining the full control over and… Read More »
Bills and Services to Cancel—and Keep—When a Loved One Dies
A loved one’s passing is challenging on many different levels. In addition to the emotional difficulty of processing someone’s death, there are also many things to do when a loved one dies, such as going through their various accounts and taking the necessary steps to cancel them or transfer ownership. Most people subscribe to… Read More »
What Not to Include in Your Estate Planning Documents
One important purpose of estate planning is to facilitate the transfer of ownership of your money and property to your family and loved ones when you pass away. For this transfer to be as stress-free and efficient as possible, it is crucial that estate planning documents be thorough and provide the necessary information. Nevertheless,… Read More »
What Is a Devise in My Estate Plan?
If you are thinking about creating an estate plan, you may hear some new and confusing terms that make your brain hurt. To add to your bewilderment, not only are some of the words unfamiliar, they may also be homophones—words that are pronounced the same as other words, but have different meanings and spellings…. Read More »
Three Important Concerns Self-Employed Individuals Should Address
Being self-employed is no easy task. You are the owner, and in some cases, the only employee. While you may have more freedom than the average worker, a lot of responsibilities lie on your shoulders. Working together, we can craft a comprehensive estate plan that will help you address three important concerns you may… Read More »
What Happens to Your Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay Accounts Upon Your Death?
It has been said that nothing ever dies on the Internet. While this dictum is typically used as a warning that what we put online may come back to haunt us, it is also true that our online accounts can outlive us, and even live in perpetuity. Having a digital estate plan that makes… Read More »
Creating a Living Will
What is a living will? Creating a living will ensures your future healthcare decisions and plans are respected. A living will, also known as an advance directive, is a legal document outlining medical treatment preferences and end-of-life care if you can’t communicate or make decisions for yourself. Everyone should have an advance directive, as… Read More »
Estate Tax vs Inheritance Tax
Estate tax vs inheritance tax… what’s the difference? These two forms of taxation relate to transferring wealth from generation to generation but are entirely different. The federal government levies a tax on all estates when the value meets a certain financial threshold. Twelve states (including Maryland) and the District of Columbia levy additional estate… Read More »
Handling a Loved One’s Digital Footprint After They Die
Most adults have not made a will, let alone created an estate plan addressing their online profiles and accounts (aka their digital footprint). As your online presence grows professionally and personally, taking charge of your digital assets and plans for them after you die becomes important. Some social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, and… Read More »
