5 Things Every Mother Needs to Know About Wills
As a mother, you naturally want to ensure your child’s future in every way. For many new mothers, infancy is a time for celebrating new life, and making a Will is the last thing on
10 Types of Trusts: A Quick Look
Considering the myriad of trusts available, creating an estate plan that works can seem daunting. However, that’s what we, as estate planning attorneys, do every day. We know the laws and will design a plan
4 Reasons to Protect Your Retirement Accounts Now
During your lifetime, your retirement account has asset protection, but as soon as you pass that account to a loved one, that protection can evaporate. This means one lawsuit and your life-long, hard-earned savings could
4 Tips for Avoiding a Will or Trust Contest
A will or trust contest can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your estate, and tear your loved ones apart. But with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a potentially disastrous will or
Heads Up: These States Will Usher in Changes to Their Death Taxes in 2016
In 2016, there are still 19 U.S. jurisdictions that collect a death tax at the state level: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York,
What’s Hot in Estate Planning Right Now May Surprise You
Estate planning has truly evolved over the past 20 years. Gone is the uncertainty about federal estate taxes and the absolute requirement for married couples to use complex trusts to minimize these taxes. But also
2016 Estate and Gift Tax Predictions
Under current law the federal estate tax, gift tax, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions have become unified and are indexed for inflation on an annual basis. Since 2011, the exemption and tax rate have changed
National Estate Planning Awareness Week
Did You Know We Just Ended the 2015 National Estate Planning Awareness Week? In 2008 the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC), in conjunction with Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and 49 of his
Estate and Distribution Planning For Retirement Benefits: A Planner’s Guide
Threshold Question. Whether life expectancy payout for issue is a desirable goal. If not, then payout is within 5 years, if before RBD (or if after RBD, then over participant’s life expectancy). If Life Expectancy Payout
Limited Liability: The Benefit of Conducting Business Operations as an LLC (Over Partnerships and Sole Proprietorships)
Sole proprietorships and partnerships can be simple forms of conducting business. The owners make all of the decisions relating to the business and are taxed on business income and loss as individuals, with no taxation
Benefits of Single Member Limited Liability Companies
The limited liability company (LLC) form of entity is the appropriate form of conducting business for, many, if not most, sole proprietors. The primary reason for this is that this form of entity permits an
Basic Standards of Conduct for Partners in a Partnership and Members of an LLC
Statutorily Imposed Duties. State statutes provide that individuals associated with partnerships shall discharge his or her duties in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person in the like position would exercise under similar
