by Christine | Feb 10, 2012 | Asset Protection |
So we all know a succession plan is needed. But having the wrong plan can be just as disastrous. It’s said that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing (“drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring”). However, what is less often said, yet is ultimately just as...
by Christine | Feb 9, 2012 | Estate Planning, Estate Tax |
The fate of the federal estate tax likely lies in the results of the next election. Here are the most probable scenarios. If you’ve been following the political saga of the estate tax over the past few years then you know it’s coming to a head… again. In fact, the...
by Christine | Feb 8, 2012 | Estate Planning, Same Sex Couples |
Same-sex couples who might be thinking of getting married [following suit with Rep. Barney Frank] should understand something that needs no explaining to Frank, co-author of the Dodd-Frank Bill to regulate the banking industry: that whether marriage will be a...
by Christine | Feb 7, 2012 | Estate Planning |
More than half a million cryopreserved embryos are now in storage somewhere in the United States. An unknown but far greater number of sperm donors have also made deposits that could be used for an expanding array of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Putting...
by Christine | Feb 6, 2012 | Elder Law, Nursing Homes |
Searching for a nursing home for his hospitalized father in semirural Massachusetts, a friend of mine recently came up against an unexpected barrier. It’s harder to find a bed for a man than for a woman. Finding a nursing home for an ailing loved one, and a good...
by Christine | Feb 3, 2012 | Asset Protection |
Many people faced with mounting pressure from creditors are unaware of how to protect their assets, and very often it is too late once they are already in financial trouble. It’s unclear how long this economic slump will last. One thing is certain, however, it’s not...
by Christine | Feb 2, 2012 | Charitable Giving, Estate Planning |
“If you’re wealthy, you set up your own private foundation. You get a deduction now, but you don’t have to give it all away right away. You can do it in a much more leisurely way.” It’s hard to comment on the recent outpouring of information about presidential hopeful...
by Christine | Feb 1, 2012 | Business Succession Planning, Retirement Planning |
Retirement plans have their place, but many entrepreneurs starve their business of needed working capital by putting money instead into tax-deductible accounts such as traditional 401(k)s. They think they are saving taxes. Small business owners, by and...
by Christine | Jan 31, 2012 | Elder Law, Medicare |
Most seniors on Medicare will pay $99.90 per month this year for Part B outpatient coverage. But how would you like to pay 10 percent more for that coverage, or 50 percent more? As many readers will know, it’s fairly critical to understand the rules for filing for...
by Christine | Jan 30, 2012 | Advanced Health Care Directive, Conservatorships, Durable Power of Attorney For Finances, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianships, Trusts |
I am often asked "When do I need to amend or revise my estate planning documents?" I recommend that if any of the following events occur, you should review the potential effect of such event on your estate planning documents, your plan of disposition, and...
