When you are hale and hearty in the prime of your life, it can be difficult to imagine that one day your body and mind may become too debilitated to carry out your personal and business decisions. Yet an accident or sudden, catastrophic illness can incapacitate anyone...
Month: December 2016
Inter vivos versus testamentary trusts: Which to choose?
Estate planning can be complex or simple, depending upon the individuals and assets involved. One option for preserving assets is an inter-vivos trust. Inter vivos trusts are often called living trusts. The fiduciary relationship with the trustor begins when the trust...
GOP Congress plans repeal of estate tax law
The 2017 Congressional session could bring big changes to the federal estate tax laws on the books. Under present laws, estates with values of $5.45 million or less carry no estate taxes. Those of more value, however, get taxed at 40 percent, according to the 2013...
Leave the government out of your estate by gifting now
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to bypass the government and leave all of your estate to your heirs? Depending upon the size of your holdings, estate taxes can take a big bite out of the total. However, with foresight and careful planning, there are perfectly legal...
Do you need a special needs trust?
Parents of children with physical or mental disabilities often worry about what will happen to their children after they pass on. As it is the natural order that most parents predecease their children, this is a very valid concern. Parents can put their minds at rest...
