Understanding the Issues of Elder Law
The three main areas of focus for elder law attorneys include health care, estate and tax planning and guardianship matters.
What Is the Meaning of Step-Up in Basis?
Step-up in basis, also known as stepped-up basis, is a wrinkle in the federal tax code that can help heirs avoid or reduce taxes on inherited assets.
What Is a Life Estate?
A life estate is a type of property ownership or tenancy that grants an individual the right to use and enjoy a property for the remainder or their life. It gives an ownership interest to someone else.
How to Talk to Parents about Estate Planning
With nearly 90% of caregivers providing care to a family member, and the holidays rapidly approaching, it is an opportune time to check in with both aging family members, as well as those performing caregiving duties.
Is Surviving Spouse Automatically Your Beneficiary?
If the surviving spouse is a second or subsequent spouse and did not have any children with the decedent, the surviving spouse takes even less.
What Did Kirstie Alley Do for Estate Planning?
Kirstie Alley enjoyed the fruits of her labor following a successful career in the limelight, leaving behind a $40 million fortune and massive real estate portfolio.
Some Assets Better Left Outside of Will
That last will and testament you have tucked away? It may not be the last word on what happens to your stuff after you are gone. Instead, that legal document’s directives for doling out your wealth may be overruled by other paperwork and relevant laws.
How Should I Handle Memorabilia in My Estate Planning?
Memorabilia collections, by their nature, are specialized and unique. When considering your estate planning, it’s important to think about what you require of your beneficiaries — if you’re not planning on selling your collection — and how you can make that process as easy as possible for your family. What will your spouse or children have to deal with as they dispose of the items?
Do Family Secrets Hurt Estate Planning?
A study by the financial services research firm reveals just how big a problem family secrets can be, as reported in Financial Advisor’s recent article “Family Wealth Transfers Undermined by Secrecy.” Most asset holders plan to share their wishes and intentions with family members before they die. However, the research reveals only about half actually…
Beneficiary Battle over Presley Estate Reveals Possible Problems in Estate Planning
A badly in debt woman dies leaving the proceeds of substantial insurance policies to her children only to have her trust contested by relatives who claim an amendment naming the children as beneficiaries is invalid with no witnesses, misspelled names, suspicious signatures and was never given to previous trustees for review as required by agreement. A long, expensive, and protracted legal battle likely is brewing.
