A common misconception holds that living trusts are only for the very rich. The belief may stem from history; in the 16th century Britain kings often controlled their lords’ power by seizing and distributing their lands as they died; the structure of a trust allowed circumvention by deeding property to the church, with the understanding […]

Last week on the blog we discussed how, when done properly, Medicaid planning is just a piece of the estate planning puzzle rather than an underhanded way to skirt government regulations. Unfortunately, there’s still quite a perception out there that Medicaid planning is somehow dubious and trying to capture as much of the government’s money […]

Are you aware of the Aid & Attendance benefit that is available to veterans and their families? The Department of Veterans Affairs has offered this special benefit for more than sixty years, but it seems to get overlooked a lot. So, I’d like to spend some time discussing how this benefit could help a veteran […]

Although there are certainly trends in business succession, this doesn’t always mean that the general approach is the best one. Planning ahead and carefully considering the implications of any one choice is the best way to approach this delicate subject. In the past, it would have been assumed that it’s best to keep the business […]

After years of education and hard work, physicians might feel as if they have been exposed to major risk as their wealth finally starts to grow. Physicians have unique needs and should always consult with an estate planning specialist who is familiar with these risks.  There are several steps that any physician might consider in […]

There are many changes happening in the world on a daily basis, not the least of which has to do with technology. Laws and social issues also highlight the importance of staying on top of your planning. For these reasons, estate planning requires flexibility and regular review.  There are several primary reasons why flexibility has […]

When Congress finally passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act at the beginning of 2013, everyone was hopeful that the years of uncertainty about estate tax numbers was finally coming to an end. If President Obama gets his way, though, it’s likely that estate tax reform isn’t over yet. GRATs could be a big target here, […]

Whether you’re an individual setting up your plans for your loved ones to receive assets after you pass away or a business owner trying to work through the basics of succession planning, this process goes far beyond just creating documents.  One of the most common steps skipped in this process has to do with what […]

Are you researching ways to pay for long-term care? Are you concerned that this added expense will bankrupt or place a huge burden on your entire family? Let’s talk about the issues at play when dealing with long-term care. You Have Questions Paying for long-term care is a valid concern and a huge issue. There […]

Standard estate planning advice goes that you should at least have a will for estate planning purposes, but it’s imperative that you understand the importance of updating such a document, too. All too often, we encounter clients who have created a will but done so 10 or 20 years ago.  The reason that this is […]