Posted on: June 16, 2025
Most people may be surprised to learn that some consider the federal estate tax to be voluntary. Estate planning attorneys used to say, “You only pay if you do not plan.” The relatively recent introduction of portability provides yet another planning tool available to married couples to minimize federal estate tax with portability and eliminate […]
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Posted on: June 12, 2025
When investigators entered the home of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Machiko Arakawa, in a gated community outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, 2025, they found the couple dead under mysterious circumstances, leading to speculation about simultaneous death and Gene Hackman’s uncertain last moments. Following their investigation, authorities pieced together […]
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Posted on: June 9, 2025
Disinheritance—the intentional exclusion of a family member, usually a child or spouse, from receiving part of your estate after your death—is more common than you might think. It is also more straightforward than you might think to disinherit a loved one, with a couple of notable exceptions. However, it is not as simple as omitting […]
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Posted on: June 5, 2025
What is in a name? If you are a beneficiary or creditor of an estate, or if you are setting up an estate plan, your name holds great significance. It is not unusual for a person to go by different names, such as the name we are given at birth and the names we choose […]
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Posted on: June 2, 2025
Will you be donating to charities this year? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds us that you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your tax return to claim a deduction for charitable gifts. The following five tips can also help ensure that your charitable gifts count. These are essential tips to simplify charitable giving […]
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Posted on: May 29, 2025
A primary goal of estate planning is to provide for your loved ones financially. One way to ensure they are set up for lifelong success is with an inheritance that covers their education expenses. Higher levels of education are positively correlated with better life outcomes, including improved health, longer lifespans, and higher incomes.[1] However, education […]
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Posted on: May 26, 2025
When somebody close to us passes away, we are left with constant reminders of them. Finding meaningful ways to keep a loved one’s memory alive after they pass can help us cherish these moments. Perhaps it’s a jacket hanging in the closet that still bears the scent of their cologne, a dog-eared book on their […]
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Posted on: May 22, 2025
Americans tend to bristle when any level of the government meddles in their private lives, especially with their money. To avoid the state taking your money after death, careful planning is essential. Look no further than the famous “death and taxes” quote for a sense of how Americans feel about bureaucratic creep and the government’s […]
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Posted on: May 19, 2025
If you have created a trust that you intend to last for decades, choosing the right trustee is critical to ensuring its longevity and ultimate success. Should I choose a family member as trustee in such cases? Many ponder this question. Initially, you may think that a family member (for example, Uncle Bill to your […]
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