Most people think estate planning is all about avoiding probate and taxes so they can maximize what they leave their loved ones. There is a far more important reason to “put your house in order.”
Posts Categorized: Trusts & Estates
Estate planning lets your will rule after you’re gone | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas Business News
There are some basic mistakes you really don’t want to make when it comes to estate planning. This article highlights some of the biggest boo boos.
From THE NEW YORK TIMES (SEPT. 15, 2010): DEVISING STRATEGIES WHILE THE ESTATE TAX IS IN LIMBO
The federal estate tax is scheduled to rise from the ashes on January 1, and many Hawaii families will feel its bite unless Congress changes current law.
From THE TIME HERALD (SEPT 22, 2010): THE NEED FOR PLANNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS
If your ohana includes someone who has special needs, you should be aware of the planning opportunities that can provide for that person without sacrificing eligibility for benefits.
from THE NEW YORK TIMES (SEPT 23, 2010): AT STEINBECK’S GETAWAY AS HEIRS’ FEUD REVIVES
The quaint little house Steinbeck called “my little fishing place” is the focus of a long-running and bitter family estate battle, pitting the surviving sister of the author’s third wife, Elaine, against his oldest son and a granddaughter. Even the best planning can’t prevent all conflict, but there are things you can do to discourage it.
Police: Shocking Abuse of 91-Year-Old Caught on Video
MYFOXNY.COM – Authorities in Jersey City have arrested a home healthcare worker and charged her with abusing an elderly patient. The arrest came after the family of the elderly woman… Read More »
5 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS AND YOUR ESTATE PLAN
While real estate can be easily transferred or mortgaged, it is important to seek advice from a qualified professional to adequately protect your property and maintain the integrity of your estate plan. Here are five points to ponder.
Warning Signs of Elder Financial Abuse
America’s vulnerable, graying population, and the concentration of wealth among older adults, has created a massive opportunity for fraud. Hard statistics are not available, but experts suspect that perhaps half a million elderly adults are ripped off by family members, lawyers and accountants every year, potentially taking $2.6 billion from infirm older Americans. The crime is known as elder financial abuse.
The Case Against Do-It-Yourself Wills – Forbes.com
You can do your estate planning documents yourself, but by saving a few bucks now, you may cost your loved ones a lot more later. Here is an excerpt from, and link to, an interesting article by Deborah L. Jacobs.
Estate Tax is One More Reason to Hate the Yankees
This is an excerpt from a clever piece written by an obvious Boston fan named Jim Moniz, who is president and CEO of Northeast Wealth Management, a Braintree, MA-based company that focuses on the needs of high-net-worth individuals and professionals. It underlines the importance of being aware of what Congress is doing (or not doing) regarding the estate tax–the tax on the privilege of owning stuff when you die–and how that might affect you and your loved ones.