Americans are confused. They're confused about estate planning and rightfully so, it's a diverse topic. Should you create a will, a trust or both? It depends because they serve different purposes, but both can be beneficial to form a complete estate plan. Will and...
Tax loophole saves money for America’s wealthy
Federal law demands that very wealthy people who wish to leave money to their children pay gift or estate taxes of up to 40 percent on those assets. Many of America’s wealthy are getting around that tax mandate through means of a loophole that Congress...End of the year estate tax planning considerations
Many New York residents work hard to earn a comfortable income and accrue assets. For many, smart investments throughout the years have allowed their personal wealth to grow at a healthy rate. As 2013 draws to a close, many of these individuals will assess their life...Tips on how to prevent fights over family heirlooms
Most people may think that the majority of estate disputes and will contests are waged over large amounts of assets and the division of real estate or property. In reality, the majority of disputes among surviving family members relate to who retains ownership of...Why it’s wise to routinely review and update beneficiary designations
When it comes to estate planning, many people wrongly assume all they need is a last will and testament. In reality, however, estate planning is much more complex and failing to take note of this fact can have serious and unintentional implications. We’ve...Using a trust to incent favorable behavior
Growing up can be difficult and most children go through a rebellious period, particularly during their teenage years. It is during these formative years that parents aim to instill values in their children that will ultimately enable a child to make better choices...Gaining access to a deceased loved one’s email often difficult
Many New York residents readily rely upon email to communicate about a variety of personal, professional and financial matters. Depending on the email provider and type of account, most email services require users to sign privacy agreements. Email providers also...Estate planning and planning for one’s final arrangements
We’ve previously discussed in this blog, many important aspects of estate planning that require thought, attention and action. In some cases, however, an individual may fail to account for seemingly basic estate planning matters and details such as funeral...Using a trust to provide for a disabled loved one
According to recent statistics, an estimated 54 million Americans are living with a mental or physical disability that necessitates special care. In many cases, a family member ends up acting as a primary caregiver. Individuals with special needs often require medical...Life events that necessitate estate planning changes
Change is a constant in life that cannot be stopped. As an individual ages, he or she is likely to experience and encounter many joys, sorrows and challenges that ultimately make for a full life. Changes in income, the birth of a child and marriage or divorce are all...
