Category Archives: Estate Planning
Is Anything Missing From Your Estate Plan?
In our experience as estate planning attorneys, there can be a number of dangerous misconceptions and assumptions out there when it comes to the field of estate planning. Some of them involve who does and does not need to engage in estate planning, as well as figuring out who should be named as guardians… Read More »
Estate Planning Dos and Don’ts
Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can go wrong during estate planning, particularly when you are trying to do it without consulting with a professional estate planning attorney. Below, we discuss some of these potential disasters, and how to avoid them: The Trap of Joint Ownership Many elderly couples engaged in estate… Read More »
Estate Planning For Digital Assets
Because so many transactions in our lives are conducted ‘electronically’ today, estate planning is, of course, affected by this transition. This is especially relevant when it comes to ‘digital’ assets, or any electronic items that have monetary value–like cryptocurrencies–as well as any other transactions conducted online, including any conducted by email. However, because electronic… Read More »
New Tax Law Affects Estate Planning
The new tax law that was signed into effect represents one of the most significant changes to the tax code over the last 30 years, and has an impact on estate planning. Among its many changes, the law doubles the estate, generation-skipping, and gift transfer (GST) exemptions. We discuss this in greater detail below…. Read More »
Revisiting Your Estate Plan
The recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes major changes to the individual estate, gift and GST tax exemptions, warranting revisiting your estate plan. However, even if your state does not follow federal estate law, there are many reasons to revisit estate planning and possibly make adjustments to your will and other important… Read More »
Performing the Duties of Executor of an Estate
Being the executor (also known in Florida as the personal representative) of an estate is no easy task. Some people may only do so once or twice in their lives—usually for their parent’s estate and/or perhaps their spouse—thus, it isn’t the kind of role where one can gain practice and become good at it…. Read More »
Clearing Up Myths about Estate Taxes in Estate Planning
USA Today recently published a helpful article clearing up some confusion regarding federal estate taxes and how frequently heirs have to pay them when they inherit property, such as a farm or small business. Specifically, in some of his speeches, President Trump has stated that these heirs often have to “’sell the farm’ in… Read More »
The Importance of Approaching Your Family about Estate Planning, And How to Do It
In September, Market Watch featured an excellent article on the importance of discussing estate planning with your family, and how you might go about doing so–even if the topic might be an uncomfortable one to broach. Failing to do so could open up your family to some serious vulnerabilities in the future. The perfect… Read More »
Circumstances That Warrant Updating Estate Planning Documents
Because life is constantly changing, your estate planning documents should change alongside it. These periodic updates are necessary in order to ensure that your loved ones are properly provided for after you’re gone. Some key examples of essential estate planning documents that many have in place include healthcare directives, living wills, durable power of… Read More »
Durable Powers Of Attorney & Estate Planning
Durable powers of attorney apply to managing both your financial/business and health/estate affairs. They allow you to appoint an agent to handle legal, health, and financial responsibilities. They can cover a number of important issues, such as whether that’s asset management, care preferences, medical professional details, retirement plan elections, insurance benefits; amongst others. They… Read More »