Transferring Wealth the Right Way: 5 Tips for Wealth Transfer Planning
The “Baby Boomer” generation is not only one of the largest in American history, but it’s also believed to be the wealthiest. It is estimated that Americans over the age of 70 own $15 trillion in assets. With Boomers arriving at an age where estate planning is—or, at...
Revocable Trust vs. Irrevocable Trust: How to Choose Which is Right for You
The benefits of drafting a trust are many. Properly-funded trusts can help keep an individual’s estate out of probate, allowing assets to pass directly, quickly, and privately to their beneficiaries. Additionally, a trust allows an individual to control the...
Ask Yourself These Questions Before Meeting with an Estate Planning Attorney
Meeting with an estate planning attorney can be a daunting task. Not only do you have to face the unpleasant prospect of planning for what happens after your death, but there are so many different factors to take into account that the whole process can quickly become...
How to Talk to Your Children About Your Estate Plan
For individuals who take comfort in knowing that they are doing the right thing for their loved ones, drafting an estate plan is a fairly painless process. Sitting down with an estate planning attorney, outlining your wishes for end-of-life care, and figuring out how...
The Difference Between Wills and Trusts
Wills and trusts are two types of legal arrangements that allow you to dictate what will happen to your estate—all of the “things” you own—after you die. Because there are many similarities between these two estate planning tools, it can often be confusing to...
Medicaid Eligibility: Don’t Put Planning Off Until Tomorrow
Everyone agrees that it’s never too early to start saving for retirement. Most adults begin making 401(k) contributions as soon as they land their first real job, and common financial wisdom dictates that you need to put away 15% of your income in your 30s if you want...
Estate Planning at Every Age
Topping the list of estate planning misconceptions is the idea that an estate plan is only for the very old or the very wealthy. Estate planning is often confused with end-of-life planning when, in reality, this is only a sliver of what the task involves. Adults of...
Ungrateful Dead: The Nightmare of Settling Jerry Garcia’s Estate
Jerry Garcia, frontman of the legendary band, the Grateful Dead, was as much known for living a fast and hard lifestyle as he was for his music. Before dying of a heart attack at a drug treatment facility in 1995, Garcia had millions of fans—or “Deadheads” as they...
The Power of the Advance Directive for Healthcare & Power of Attorney (POA)
Many people believe that estate planning only outlines what happens to our “stuff” after we’re gone. It’s true that a good portion of estate planning does focus on how we want our assets distributed after we pass away. However, a complete estate plan should include an...
A (Pre) Estate Planning Checklist to Help You Get Started
A (Pre) Estate Planning Checklist to Help You Get Started. Estate planning can feel overwhelming and confusing—there is a reason why 50-60% of Americans don’t have one in place! Seeking legal help to manage this process will likely be both necessary and invaluable....