by Christine | Jan 13, 2014 | Estate Law, State Law |
Even if you live (and, well, die) in a state that doesn't have an estate tax, your estate could be nicked if you own property or other tangible assets (such as a plane or a boat) in a state that does. We tend to spend so much time talking about the federal...
by Christine | Jan 10, 2014 | Digital Estate Planning, Elder Law, Estate Planning |
What would happen to your e-mail accounts if you suddenly died? Are familiar with the notion of a digital estate? What happens to your online bank accounts, emails, social media and your entire digital presence on the web when you pass away? Imagine a world without...
by Christine | Jan 9, 2014 | Beneficiary Designation, Elder Law, Estate Law, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), Inherited IRAs |
We say it over and over again. Check your beneficiary forms! Don't let your retirement funds go down the drain. Anything involving the court system is rarely quick and painless (probate anyone?). Fortunately, IRAs can easily be transferred to your loved ones...
by Christine | Jan 9, 2014 | Estate Planning |
“Money can be divided pretty evenly, but the teacup that grandma always used? Maybe there’s only a $2 value associated with that teacup, but because of the sentimental value and the emotions around it, that causes the controversy.” While it is easier to think about an...
by Christine | Jan 8, 2014 | Estate Planning, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) |
One big advantage of the trusteed IRAs: IRA owners can prevent their beneficiaries from spending down the accounts right away. An IRA is a very powerful tool, if you use it right. Your IRA can essentially serve estate planning purposes beyond simple retirement funding...
by Christine | Jan 7, 2014 | Estate Planning |
With the new year comes new "incentive" to improve your life and becoming more organized, which could include "cleaning up" your closets or "cleaning up" your legal affairs. Many of my clients who have made the pledge to organize and...
by Christine | Jan 7, 2014 | Beneficiary Designation, Estate Planning, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) |
If your beneficiary designations are out-of-date, when you die, your assets could go [to] the wrong people – a former spouse, for example – no matter what your will says. Often, the biggest mistakes we can make when it comes to our estate planning are also...
by Christine | Jan 6, 2014 | Estate Planning |
For many people, estate planning is both a private matter and morbid topic – not something that parents want to discuss with their adult children. While having such conversations takes a lot of courage, families that speak freely about these delicate issues can...
by Christine | Jan 3, 2014 | Business Sale, Estate Planning, Small Business |
While your goal might be to attract the most qualified buyer that will pay the asking price and lead the company on a path of continued success, it is what you expect of your life post-sale that should constitute how you execute the deal. Done right, a business...
by Christine | Jan 2, 2014 | Estate Planning, Family Business, Small Business, Succession Planning |
To ensure your exit goals are met and your family relationships remain intact, it's important to clarify the family succession process right from the start. When you are a family business owner looking to pass the torch, the business is typically your greatest...
