A question that often comes up in estate planning is “How much money do you need to get a Living Trust?” The question is a fundamental misunderstanding, but a common one. Although there would not be much point in doing so, you can put as little as a single penny into a Living Trust. The question is based on the premise that Living Trusts are designed for rich people. It’s a false premise. Living Trusts are designed for anyone who either wants to give something for one person to manage for the … [Read more...] about Estate Size and Living Trusts
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Who Should Be Your Child’s Guardian?
A well constructed estate plang will not only addresses the distribution of your assets, but can also nominate a guardian for minor children. While there are legalities to consider, it’s important to remember that you are also determining the quality of your children’s lives if you die before they reach the age of 18. Many parents understandably have a difficult time imagining their children without them. But they need to consider many factors for guardianship, including: Type of … [Read more...] about Who Should Be Your Child’s Guardian?
What Does the Trustee Do?
You need to have a firm grasp of the breadth and complexity of the duties and responsibilities of a Trustee during the administration of the trust. The overall job of a Trustee is to protect and manage trust assets while administering the trust using the trust terms created by the Settlor. The specific duties and responsibilities of a Trustee make for a long list that includes things such as: Manage and protect trust assetsAbide by the trust terms unless they are impossible, illegal, or … [Read more...] about What Does the Trustee Do?
What Type of Life Insurance Is Best for Me?
Life insurance can be an integral component of a comprehensive estate plan. The role a life insurance policy plays in your estate plan will determine, to a large extent, which type of insurance you should purchase. Understanding the different types of life insurance policies available is important. Let's look to see which type of life insurance is right for you and your estate plan. Types of Life Insurance While there are some hybrids and variations of the basic types of life … [Read more...] about What Type of Life Insurance Is Best for Me?
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your Will
For some people, a Last Will and Testament serves as the foundation upon which their estate plan is built. Giving the importance of a Will, it should be error-free, particularly because any errors or problems with the Will are not likely to be uncovered until after the creator is gone, meaning it will be too late for you to fix errors or explain ambiguities. With that in mind, let's look at some of the most common mistakes people make when creating a Will so that you can try and avoid making … [Read more...] about Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your Will
The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part II
As part of the Estate Planning process, an attorney explores numerous topics with the client to help create a unique plan tailored to the client’s circumstances. Many estate plans use a trust as the centerpiece of the plan. Some clients want to explore asset protection and let the attorney know they want to consider offshore planning. Sometimes, offshore planning works, but often it causes additional issues. My friend and colleagueTereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, discusses some pros … [Read more...] about The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part II
The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part I
As part of the Estate Planning process, an attorney explores numerous topics with the client to help create a unique plan tailored to the client’s circumstances. Many estate plans use a trust as the centerpiece of the plan. Inevitably, clients want to understand the degree, if any, of asset protection that will result from the creation of a trust. There are numerous ways to achieve asset protection planning for a client. My friend and colleagueTereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, … [Read more...] about The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part I
The Inflation Reduction Act
President Biden scored a win on some issues, but a loss on others when he signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. The legislation left the estate and gift tax alone and made modest changes to the income tax. The Act will have a significant impact on those on Medicare because of the cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs and insulin. My friend and colleagueTereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, comments on the impact of the new law. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Inflation Reduction Act
What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part II
As interest rates continue to climb, Estate Planning practitioners look to different planning techniques to take advantage of rising rates. Two common estate planning techniques work well in higher-interest rate environments. My friend and colleagueTereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, shares some more of her thoughts on the matter. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part II
What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part I
Interest rates were at historic lows for many years. Those rates have begun to rise in recent months and may continue to do so. Practitioners need to monitor interest rates in order to advise clients regarding the most effective Estate Planning strategies in any environment. My friend and colleagueTereina Stidd, an estate planning expert, shares some of her thoughts on the matter. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part I
