Blog
What Does SLAT Mean in Estate Planning?
Interest in SLATs, or Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, has picked up as the new administration eyes possible revenue sources from estate and gift taxes. According to a recent article titled “What Advisors Should Know About SLATs” from U.S. News & World Report, even...
Michael Jackson Estate’s Big Win against IRS in Tax Court
Estate planning lawyers agree: the recent victory of Michael Jackson’s estate in U.S. Tax Court is a clear signal that the IRS should be more cautious when assessing the value of an estate’s assets. In the article from Bloomberg Tax, “Michael Jackson Estate’s Tax Win...
What Is the Purpose of an Estate Plan?
While most people know about the importance of writing out one's wishes before they die, many do not know the purpose behind an estate plan. No one wants to think about becoming seriously ill or dying, but scrambling to get an estate plan and healthcare documents done...
Prince Philip and the Importance of Estate Planning
The recent death of Prince Philip has shown us the importance of estate planning. From his last wishes to his funeral, his legacy will remain. Since his recent death, Prince Philip has been remembered around the world as a model of service and a loyal and loving...
How Digital Assets Figure into Estate Planning
Where do your digital assets go when you die? A trust could help you preserve important memories, images, videos, and more. Yahoo Finance’s recent article entitled “Who inherits your selfies when you die?” laments that the internet ruins everything, and a simple death...
Should Young Families have an Estate Plan?
Young families are always on the go. New parents are busy with diapers, feeding schedules and trying to get a good night’s sleep. As a result, it’s hard to think about the future when you’re so focused on the present. Even so, young parents should think about estate...
Which Celebrities Left Spouses Out of Their Wills?
Celebrity gossip can be juicy, but it is not always true. However, some celebrities left their spouses out of their wills and this information is verifiable through public records. It’s not a given that a spouse will become a decedent’s heir or guardian of their...
Is it Better to Have a Living Will or a Living Trust?
A living will and a living trust are part of an estate plan that achieves the goals of protecting you while you are living and your loved ones when you have passed. You may need both, but before you make any decision, first know what they are, says the article “Living...
Preparing for an Estate Planning Meeting
Preparing for an Estate Planning Meeting with your attorney for the first time is an opportunity to get organized and think about your wishes for the future. If you meet with your accountant every year to prepare tax returns, this may be a familiar process. It’s a...
How Do You Handle Probate?
I wish that I could make sure that every person alive had an estate plan so I didn't have to address how to handle probate. While you are living, you have the right to give anyone any property of your choosing. If you give your power to gift your property to another...