Most people who understand the basics of asset protection probably have a revocable trust that can be easily changed and will eliminate the need for probate or naming a guardian in the event that you become incapacitated or pass away. However, leaving this as your primary mode of asset protection is risky. This type […]

  Under the gift tax, certain amounts of money can be given as an individual or as a married couple without the consequences of direct taxes. Whether this was a formal part of your estate plan or not, it can be one way that you help to support children as well as move assets outside […]

Getting married for a second or third time is increasingly common in the United States. However, the complicated estate planning and financial issues can be anything but simple if you don’t schedule a consultation with an estate planning lawyer well in advance. There are many different issues that can emerge when it comes to blended […]

  A new study has analyzed data on aging in the U.S. and how people nearing retirement feel about it overall. Plenty of government data indicates that there are two key factors influencing the aging population in America: longevity and the rising cost of healthcare. For anyone nearing retirement age, it’s important to consider how […]

Not having any direct heirs might seem like an easy out when it comes to estate planning, but skipping over this process could be a big mistake. Make sure you’ve taken the opportunity to sit down with an experienced estate planning lawyer to talk through all the options. You may be able to make use […]

The most troubling aspect of mistakes made in the estate planning process is that it’s your beneficiaries who have to deal with the consequences of poor planning or no planning at all. Once you pass away, it is your loved ones who have to step in and manage your estate and any confusion associated with […]

It’s no surprise to anyone who has engaged in the estate planning process already that there are plenty of strategies out there to help you accomplish your planning goals while also passing on as much wealth to the next generation as possible. Many of these tools, though, could still be subject to generation-skipping taxes or […]

It is not yet clear how Congress will take action with regard to estate tax reform. It is extremely probable that estate tax reform will happen in the next two years, but it is currently no more than speculation to determine how this might influence your individual life.  However, there are ten strategies that you […]

    Advanced directives, trust agreements and durable powers of attorney are all used to help clients on a regular basis when that client is approaching older ages. One additional step that often needs to be taken is considering a potential decline in your cognitive abilities. Running out of money is frequently at the top […]

More than 10 years ago, a $110 million lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against an alleged trust mill. A trust mill, in that company in particular, are typically accused of duping senior citizens into purchasing annuities and using part or all of their retirement investments to do so. The individual selling these […]