The Basics of Estate Taxes
An estate tax is imposed in the US when assets pass from an estate of a deceased individual to an heir or beneficiary. An estate tax is not the same as an inheritance tax. It’s a tax on the total…
How Technology Has Changed Estate Planning: Virtual Meetings, Online Documents, and Digital Tools
Technology has changed the way many legal services are delivered, including estate planning. Today, many estate planning attorneys use secure digital tools to communicate with clients, collect information, prepare documents, and manage ongoing estate plans.While traditional in-person meetings remain an…
Guardianship of Elderly Parents
A parent who is aging often loses the ability to think clearly and make meaningful decisions. This growing inability may occur due to Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, mental illness, stroke, brain injury, or other severe health or disability…
A Comparison of Elder Law and Estate Planning
Despite some overlap, estate planning and elder law serve different purposes, yet both are equally vital to protect yourself and your family. The two terms tend to go hand in hand, but there are some differences. The biggest difference is…
Estate Planning and Tax Reform
You may need to update your estate plan annually to account for changes in federal estate tax law, gifts, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions. Since 2018, federal estate tax exemptions have allowed estates above $11.7 million (adjusted annually for…
Living Wills: Ten Things You Need to Know
Living wills are not last wills and testaments that indicate how you want your assets to be distributed after your death. Instead, it is a mechanism to communicate to your family and doctors how you want medical care conducted when…
Check Your Estate Plan Regularly to Avoid These Mistakes
It is common for Americans to view estate planning as a one-time task that, once completed, can be filed away until they pass away. However, this approach can create problems. Without being aware of the potential impact, people may make…
How to Maximize Your Social Security Retirement Benefits
Over the course of their working lives, American workers contribute to the Social Security fund through payroll taxes. You can opt to receive Social Security benefits as early as age 62. However, claiming SS benefits before your full retirement age…
Agricultural Estate Planning
Planning for succession and estate planning for farm and ranch land, livestock, equipment, and other personal property can be challenging. There is a common misconception that federal estate taxes threaten farm or ranch property, preventing assets from getting to rightful…
The Dangers of DIY Wills
Upon your death, your will addresses who will inherit your assets and properties. Wills are legally binding when properly filled out. Your will names a personal representative (executor) who will carry out your directives. In addition to asset distribution, your…
