Legacy Planning

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 which addresses your specific situation. […]

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 trust contest. If you are […]

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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee […]

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 gone is planning for the […]

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 as follows: Year    Exemption       Tax […]

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 colleagues, helped pass a law […]

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 for Issue Is a Desirable […]

Both Wills and Trusts are devices which you can use to provide for the distribution of your estate upon your death. Deciding whether a Will or a Trust best fits your needs depends on your circumstances. A living Trust is […]

Despite the recent downturn in the economy, it appears that members of community continue to be generous to their favorite causes. It is only by and through the use of donations that many charitable and other not-for-profit organizations are able […]

By Matthew T. McClintock, J.D. Vice President, Education, WealthCounsel Many people mistakenly believe that estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy. In reality, a basic estate plan is essential for everyone, regardless of income or net worth, because we […]