How Marital Trusts Help Protect Blended Families
Understanding marital trusts is crucial for couples looking to secure their financial future and provide for the surviving spouse tax-efficiently. This article is a guide to marital trusts, how they work and their advantages and disadvantages. With the potential to safeguard assets and ensure that they reach the intended beneficiaries, marital trusts can be an effective part of a comprehensive estate plan, particularly for those in a second marriage or a blended family. What Is a Marital Trust? A marital trust is a type of irrevocable trust and is crafted to benefit…
Write a Letter of Instruction for Loved Ones
Executors can use additional information in administering estates, especially if the executor is unrelated to the decedent.
What are the Federal and Gift Tax Exemptions for 2024?
The federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions and the annual exclusion from gift tax are historically high due to a temporary increase under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even those with the best of intentions can fall into the trap of estate planning misinformation. Estate planning attorneys frequently hear rumors and ill advice disguised as facts.
Estate Planning Tips for Blended Families
Estate planning for blended families presents unique challenges. Unlike traditional family structures, reports Barrons recent article titled, “When Remarrying Creates a Blended Family: Advice From Financial Pros,” blended families often involve complex relationships and diverse financial backgrounds, making the process of estate and financial planning more intricate. This article has tips for blended families on identifying overall estate planning goals and concerns and identifying heirs to protect your new family and future.
How Do You Plan for the Death of a Spouse? Get Your Estate Plans in Order.
Beneficiary designations, tying up loose ends, reporting last wishes—here’s what you can do now.
Here’s Why You Need an Estate Plan
No matter what line of work you are in, estate planning has facets that apply to everyone, and it comes down to documenting wishes and avoiding probate and unnecessary taxes. Too many people put it off, but, in general, the sooner you do it, the better.
Can Unequal Inheritances Be Fair?
The important thing to acknowledge is that the emotions behind the reasons are not trivial, but are important and should not be dismissed or minimized.
Why are Contingent Beneficiaries Important?
When planning your estate rarely will you experience difficulty naming your initial beneficiary or beneficiaries for your will, IRA’s or life insurance.
Transferring Property to Heirs? Skip Top Five Mistakes
Death is inevitable, but dying without an estate plan is not. Estate planning is a must for property owners, no matter how uncomfortable the subject might make you.
