When Your Parent Plans to Disinherit Your Sibling
As the child who was not cut out of the estate plan, you may find yourself in an especially delicate spot, particularly if your parent named you as the executor (also called a personal representative) or trustee in their estate plan.
What Is an Inheritor’s Trust?
Among the numerous types of trusts aimed at fulfilling different estate planning purposes, an inheritor’s trust is specially designed to help protect an inheritance.
How to Get Organized to Meet with Your Estate Planning Attorney
You have decided to meet with an estate planning attorney to get your affairs in order and ensure that your loved ones are protected. Now that you have scheduled the appointment, it is time to get yourself organized and prepare for the first meeting.
Passing Along a Benefit, Not a Burden: Why Planning for Absence and Incapacity Is Indispensable for Business Owners
Comprehensive estate planning also addresses what will happen if you become mentally incapacitated (unable to manage your affairs) due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline, or if you need to be away from your business for an extended period.
Retirement Planning for Business Owners
As a business owner, planning for retirement requires more effort, foresight, and strategy. In addition to navigating the wide range of retirement account options available to business owners, you must also ensure that your chosen strategy aligns with your overall estate plan.
Rewarding Employees: Selling Your Business Through an MBO or ESOP
If you prefer the idea of transferring your business to longtime, trusted employees who have contributed to the company’s success over the years, there are two options to consider: a management buyout (MBO) and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
Avoid Living Probate: How to Keep Guardians and Conservators Out of Your Estate
A comprehensive estate plan is also meant to positively impact your life by planning for and providing necessary protections while you are still around to reap the benefits.
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.
When Is an Estate Subject to State Death Taxes?
State-level estate and inheritance taxes (often referred to collectively as death taxes) can significantly impact how much ultimately passes to a person’s loved ones, making it essential to understand state death tax rules when creating a comprehensive estate plan.
Pros and Cons of Naming Many Residuary Beneficiaries in a Will or Trust
You have meticulously created your estate plan to ensure that it includes and addresses all of your most important assets (accounts and property). You have reviewed your asset list repeatedly, […]