by Christine | May 21, 2014 | Estate Planning |
Remember that any mistakes in your estate plan will live long after you. Follow these rules and you’ll end up with an estate plan that works well for you and your heirs. Planning for the estate is really an ongoing activity. Accordingly, estate planning is not a...
by Christine | May 20, 2014 | Estate Planning, Gift, Inheritance |
Ultimately, the decision about whether to leave your children money now or later depends entirely on your financial and family circumstances. Deciding whether or not to leave an inheritance is only part of the equation. When should you give it – now or later?...
by Christine | May 19, 2014 | Estate Planning, Inheritance, Wills |
Dividing money is easy. But who gets Mom’s tea set? When we hear about heirs fighting over an inheritance, most of us think about money as being the main issue. But money isn't everything! How you split up priceless family artifacts and other physical goods can...
by Christine | May 16, 2014 | Charitable Giving, Philanthropy |
About 50 years ago, only 5% of the total assets of America's largest 50 foundations were held by spend-downs. In 2010, that number had risen to 24%, according to Bridgespan Group in Boston. Today's charitable foundations seem to be shifting from maintenance...
by Christine | May 15, 2014 | Estate Law, Trusts |
As with estate planning for humans, creating a pet trust is designed to give owners peace of mind. To ensure that pets will be cared for in accordance with an owner’s wishes, owners should be sure to definitively detail their pet’s standard of living and nutritional...
by Christine | May 14, 2014 | Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Philanthropy |
Today, with smaller families and more women choosing not to have children, “the dynamic has changed pretty significantly for the generation of baby boomers. The option of doing something charitably significant with their estates is a change,” he said. The New York...
by Christine | May 13, 2014 | Elder Law, Estate Law, Inheritance, Reverse Mortgage Loan |
Reverse mortgages, which allow homeowners 62 and older to borrow money against the value of their homes that need not be paid back until they move out or die, have long posed pitfalls for older borrowers. Reverse mortgages definitely have advantages, such as offering...
by Christine | May 12, 2014 | 2012, Estate Planning |
…There are a few important questions many of us don’t think about. They’re the often overlooked issues of estate planning that could make all the difference for your relatives and heirs after you pass. Estate planning encompasses so many areas of your life. For...
by Christine | May 9, 2014 | Easement, Valuation |
Generally the best way to value things is by looking at what similar things sell for. There is not a lot of buying and selling of facade easements. So what you do is value the property as it is and then value it as encumbered by the easement. If...
by Christine | May 8, 2014 | Asset Protection, Estate Law, Inheritance, Real Estate |
What follows are issues to consider, and, in those rare cases where a transfer can make sense, how to do it the right way. Are you thinking about handing over the family home to your loved ones early? Proceed with caution. Although the hand-off can be a blessing to...
