When incapacity strikes it can cause a number of practical problems in addition to the emotional toll it takes on family and loved ones. If the incapacitated individual failed to create an incapacity plan, deciding how to manage property and acquiring the legal authority to do so can be complicated and time consuming. Understanding what options you have for property management upon incapacity is a good place to start if you suddenly find yourself in this position. When most people think of … [Read more...] about Alternatives for Property Management upon Incapacity
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Nora Ephron (1941-2012) - Producer & Screenwriter Nora Ephron was an American journalist, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, director, and blogger. A talented writer and director, Ephron is known for her successful romantic comedies, such as When Harry Met Sally (1989) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993). The daughter of writers, she grew up in Los Angeles, and went east to go to school at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Gifted with a sharp wit, Ephron first made her … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Who Should I Appoint as the Trustee of My Living Trust?
A Last Will and Testament usually serves as the foundation of a comprehensive estate plan. For most people, however, a Will is just the beginning of an estate plan. People often choose to add additional documents and estate planning tools to help achieve a multitude of goals and objectives. Though once used primarily by wealthy families as a method to pass down the family fortune, trusts have become an increasingly popular addition to estate plans for people from all walks of life. If you decide … [Read more...] about Who Should I Appoint as the Trustee of My Living Trust?
Joint Tenancy with a Child and Your Estate Plan – Is It the Best Option?
Creating a comprehensive estate plan usually involves combining a wide variety of strategies and legal tools to reach an equally wide variety of goals and objectives. One of the most common goals of estate planning is the transfer of real property upon death. Accomplishing the transfer is as little time as possible and without the need for the property to go through probate are usually the goals. People often put an adult child on the title to a home in an effort to accomplish these goals. While … [Read more...] about Joint Tenancy with a Child and Your Estate Plan – Is It the Best Option?
Free Report: Including the Family Pet in Your Estate Plan
For most people the primary goals of an estate plan are to provide the framework for the division of estate assets upon death and to provide for family members and loved ones upon death. If you have a pet (or two) that you treat as part of the family, has it occurred to you that your pet should be included in your estate plan? Legally, your pet is considered your property, meaning your pet should be included in the division of your estate assets. For most people estate planning is about … [Read more...] about Free Report: Including the Family Pet in Your Estate Plan
Thought for the Day:
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Using a Special Needs Trust to Protect an Injury Settlement
Sometimes a loved one is born with special needs; however, a catastrophic accident can also lead to a loved one becoming a “special needs” individual. When that is the case you can face a dilemma when it comes time for your loved one to accept a personal injury settlement or award. If your loved one is dependent on the benefits offered by federal programs such as Medicaid or SSI a lump sum injury settlement or award can cause your loved one to become ineligible for those benefits. Often the best … [Read more...] about Using a Special Needs Trust to Protect an Injury Settlement
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) - Singer-Songwriter & Musician Marvin Gaye, born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Gaye helped to shape the sound of Motown Records in the 1960s with a string of hits including “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and duet recordings with Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell, later earning the titles “Prince of Motown” and “Prince of Soul.” During the 1970s, Gaye recorded the concept albums … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Thought for the Day:
“With discipline, dedication and diligence, you will achieve the goal.” Lailah Gifty Akita … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
When Do I Need a Special Needs Trust?
If you are the parent of a special needs child you likely worry about your child’s future. Specifically, you may worry about the day when you are no longer around to provide the day to day care and the financial support your child will likely always need. A special needs trust can go a long way toward alleviating your concerns and ensuring that your special needs child is financially provided for long after you are gone. Although each special needs individual is unique, most share a need for … [Read more...] about When Do I Need a Special Needs Trust?
