Time to Brush Up on Your Estate Planning Etiquette
Infusing the Principles of Etiquette into Your Estate Plan May is National Etiquette Month, and the goal is to encourage all people to act with consideration, respect, and honesty in their interactions with others and in their everyday lives. Etiquette can also play a role in estate planning. A well-crafted estate plan ensures that your […]
Slicing Your Estate Planning Pi(e)
What? You didn’t know that March 14 (3/14) is National Pi Day? We didn’t either until recently, but now we know this celebratory day was established (you guessed it!) by a physicist (Larry Shaw) to recognize the mathematical constant (𝛑) whose first three digits are 3.14—probably as an excuse to devour lots of pie. National […]
Why the Knives May Come Out at Death
The box office success of the 2019 murder mystery Knives Out led to franchise status, with Glass Onion, the first sequel, released in late 2022. The original Knives Out featured whodunit intrigue surrounding the murder of a wealthy author and surprise changes to his will. While Knives Out endeared itself to fans because of its interesting characters and dramatic plot twists, the […]
Three Things You Need to Do When Your Spouse Dies and Their Will or Trust Has a Disclaimer Provision
Losing your spouse is one of the most difficult things you might face in life. Although it is important to take time to grieve, there are also some crucial steps you need to take as soon as possible to address your spouse’s accounts and property and secure your own future. If your spouse’s will or […]
What Happens to Parents’ Debt when They Die?
Adult children typically don’t have to pay their parents’ bills. However, there are exceptions. Even when a child doesn’t have to pay directly, debt could reduce what they inherit.
What’s Happening to the Estate Tax?
Under current rules, the federal estate tax won’t ever affect you, unless you’re quite wealthy. However, that could change rapidly, even if you are far from rich.
When Should an Estate Plan Be Reviewed?
The documents may still be valid but if they are stale or outdated, you may spend significant money trying to use them down the road.
How to Prepare for Higher Taxes
President Biden’s proposal to eliminate the step-up for calculating inheritance taxes targets a tactic that has long been a wealth-preservation tool. What are some of the ramifications of the proposal and what, after political wrangling, could be the tax implications for large inherited assets?
What Happens when Homeowner Dies without Will?
How do we move into probate, so we do not lose the house and bank accounts, while not killing ourselves in the process?
What Happens to Credit Card Debt when Someone Dies?
If you get bogged down with a high balance that you can’t easily afford to pay off, it can take years to get out of debt. However, what happens to your credit card debt, if you die before you’ve repaid it?
