THE PROS AND CONS OF PROBATE

THE PROS AND CONS OF PROBATE In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often comes with a starkly negative connotation. Indeed, for many people — especially those with larger estates — financial planners recommend trying to keep property out of probate whenever possible. That being said, the probate system was ultimately established to protect the…

Read More

WHY A TRUST IS THE BEST OPTION FOR AVOIDING PROBATE

WHY A TRUST IS THE BEST OPTION FOR AVOIDING PROBATE As Ambrose Bierce once darkly observed, “Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” Obviously, ideally, when someone passes away, the paperwork and material concerns associated with the estate are so flawlessly handled (thanks to excellent preparation) that they fade into…

Read More

What To Do After a Loved One Dies

Yelp Review

What To Do After a Loved One Dies If you’ve been appointed an executor of a loved one’s estate, or a successor trustee, and that person dies, your grief – not to mention your to-do list, including tasks ranging from planning the funeral, coordinating relatives coming in from out of town and (eventually) meeting with…

Read More

OCTOBER, 2016 NEWSLETTER- ACT NOW TO SAVE LATER

OCTOBER, 2016 NEWSLETTER- ACT NOW TO SAVE LATER 10 Year-End Tax Planning Strategies to Discuss with Your Financial and Tax Advisor Before the Holidays As summer draws to a close, tax time seems like a world away for most of us. We’re preoccupied with squeezing in that last vacation and/or getting the kids ready to…

Read More

SEPTEMBER, 2016 NEWSLETTER – PLANNING FOR BLENDED FAMILIES

SEPTEMBER, 2016 NEWSLETTER – PLANNING FOR BLENDED FAMILIES PLANNING FOR BLENDED FAMILIES: SECOND OR LATER MARRIAGES AND DIVORCE OF BENEFICIARIES A brief look at statistics reveals that family structure has dramatically changed over time and that there’s an astounding variety of family structures. Everything ranging from the “traditional” nuclear family to blended families of step-siblings…

Read More

DO YOU NEED A TRUST PROTECTOR?

DO YOU NEED A TRUST PROTECTOR? You probably remember the cast of characters in your estate plan. You were the creator of your trust, known as the grantor, settlor, or trustmaker. The trustee controls the assets in the trust. For most revocable trusts, that’s also you, while you’re alive and well. The beneficiaries are the…

Read More

TOP 3 ESTATE PLANNING MYTHS

TOP 3 ESTATE PLANNING MYTHS Like any other complex subject, estate planning has its share of myths and misconceptions. Understanding the top three estate planning myths will help you to create and maintain a plan that will work the way you expect when it’s needed. Estate Planning Myth #1 – You Don’t Need an Estate…

Read More

JULY, 2016 ESTATE PLANNING NEWSLETTER

JULY, 2016 ESTATE PLANNING NEWSLETTER RECONSIDER OUTRIGHT INHERITANCES How to Protect Your Heirs and Your Legacy from Bad Decisions and Outside Influences Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give your family. And setting up a smooth inheritance isn’t as hard as you might think. – Suze Orman After working diligently for…

Read More