What we see depends mainly on what we look for. John Lubbock … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
What We Can Learn from James Brown’s Estate Battle
No matter your age, you likely know the name “James Brown”. Known as the Godfather of Soul, Brown died back in 2006, yet his estate was just recently settled by the South Carolina Supreme Court after a six year long battle. As is often the case, the rest of us can learn something from the probate litigation that followed Browns’ death. Brown left behind a sizeable estate—the majority of which was left to a charity according to his estate plan. Brown established a charitable trust to help poor … [Read more...] about What We Can Learn from James Brown’s Estate Battle
Gifting and Medicaid
If gifting is part of your estate plan, then you need to make sure that you have also considered how those gifts might influence your ability to qualify for Medicaid. It will depend on your medical situation when you gave the gift, who you gave the gift to and when you made the gift. The general rule is that transfers made 5 years before you need Medicaid do not disqualify you. However, transfers made after that do. An exception often exists for charitable gifts. Other gifts often need to be … [Read more...] about Gifting and Medicaid
Texas History – What Foreign Power was Against the Annexation of Texas?
Great Britain opposed it and even contemplated force to prevent it. Britain did not want to add Texas to the British Empire, but they wanted to prevent the westward expansion of the United States to reap commercial advantages of Texas trade. Britain’s policy toward Texas so alarmed Americans that the annexation was pushed through, and completed on December 29, 1845. … [Read more...] about Texas History – What Foreign Power was Against the Annexation of Texas?
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Cole Porter (1893-1964) - Composer & Songwriter Cole Porter was born to a wealthy family in Indiana, and he defied the wishes of his grandfather when he took up music. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theater. After a slow start he began to achieve success in the 1920s. By the 1930s, Porter was one of the major songwriters for the Broadway musical stage. Unlike most successful Broadway composers, Porter wrote both the lyrics and the music for his songs. After a serious … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Thought for the Day:
The greatest discovery is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind. William James … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
How It Should Be Done
Usually when a celebrity passes away, estate planning blogs are full of all of the ways that the celebrity did not have an ideal estate plan. For whatever reason, celebrities just are not known for having great estate plans. However, it is only fair that when a famous person passes away and had a good estate plan that estate planning blogs should mention that as well. The latest example of a good celebrity estate plan appears to be the estate plan of former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss. … [Read more...] about How It Should Be Done
After Getting a Revocable Living Trust
Getting a Revocable Living Trust is an important step in avoiding Probate hassles. However, it is only a first step and there are other things that you should do. Everyone's case is slightly different, but here are a few things to consider after getting a Revocable Living Trust: 1. Fund the Trust. This is the most important step. A Revocable Living Trust does not do any good if you do not transfer your assets to it. You do not have to transfer all of your assets to the trust, but your most … [Read more...] about After Getting a Revocable Living Trust
Texas History – Did You Know Texas was the Only State to Have Separate Treaty Relations?
In 1840 the Texas Republic commissioned James Hamilton to negotiate its foreign policy. Mr. Hamilton was successful in making treaties with England concerning commerce and slave trade, making Texas the only state with which England had separate and ratified treaty relations. The treaties were ratified in 1842. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Did You Know Texas was the Only State to Have Separate Treaty Relations?
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Orville (1871-1948) & Wilbur (1867-1912) Wright - First to Fly an Airplane The Wright brothers achieved the first flight on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina with five (5) witnesses present. The flight lasted only 12 seconds. It was the first time in history that a machine carrying a man raised itself in full flight, sailed forward without reduction of speed, and, finally, landed at a point as high as that from which it started. The Smithsonian Institute initially discounted … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
