Committed, Protected, Prepared: Estate Planning Tips for Unmarried Partners
If you and your partner choose not to marry, you must have an estate plan tailored to your individual situation. Without an estate plan, your partner generally has no legal authority to make decisions for you if you become injured or incapacitated (unable to manage your own affairs) or to inherit from you when you pass away.
3 More Famous Pet Trust Cases and the Lessons We Can Learn from Them
Sometimes, pet owners can get a bit creative when providing for their pets’ future care. The following three famous cases involving pet trusts offer some important lessons. David Harper and […]
Are Pensions Treated the Same in Your Estate Plan as Other Retirement Accounts?
The first private pension plan in the United States was established in the late 1800s. Through 1980, nearly 40 percent of Americans were covered by a traditional employer-funded pension. But […]
The Real Story Behind Trust Fund Kids
When we hear the phrase “trust fund kid,” words like “entitled,” “privileged,” and “financially irresponsible” might come to mind. But another word we should associate with “trust fund kid” is […]
When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
Getting your estate plan in place is never a ‘one and done’ task. Estate planning is an ongoing process and should be viewed that way.
What Is a Trust and How Does It Work?
Trusts are often associated with the rich. However, the uber-wealthy are not the only people who can benefit from using trusts. There is no minimum asset level or net worth required to set up a trust, and you can put any amount of money into a trust.
What Estate Planning Documents Should Everyone Have?
This is a great time to get organized with estate planning—it will make things a lot easier for yourself and your loved ones.
Why Should I Name a Beneficiary?
Lewis established an irrevocable trust, in which he named ‘his son’s spouse’ as a beneficiary. At the time Clark, the son, was married to Vivian.
Can You Refuse an Inheritance?
What happens if you are named an heir in an estate but you don’t want it? Does it go the person’s children if you reject the inheritance?
How Much can You Inherit and Not Pay Taxes?
Unless you spend your winters in Aspen and your summers in the Hamptons, you probably don’t have to worry about paying federal estate taxes on an inheritance. In 2021, the federal estate tax doesn’t kick in unless an estate exceeds $11.7 million.