The federal estate tax law, gifts, and GST exemptions may require an annual review and amendment of your estate plan. Since 2018, federal tax assessment on estates above $11.7 million, indexed for inflation every year, will default back to pre-2018…
First major change in retirement legislation since 2006 was the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE). The impact of the SECURE Act on some retirees, near-retirees, and their future beneficiaries may significantly affect you, and it’s imperative…
During probate, a will is legally recognized, a person (executor) is named or validated to administer the estate, and assets are distributed to beneficiaries. It also requires paying the decedent’s outstanding debts and federal and state taxes. Each state has…
No matter what your gender identity or sexual orientation is, estate planning is essential for protecting your assets, your wishes, and the people you care about. Estate planning allows you to designate your partner, whether you are married or not,…
Even in the case of inheritance, stepchildren are often treated as if they were full biological children in American families. This is particularly true where stepchildren are part of a blended family from an early age. Biological siblings may have…
Family circumstances, particularly those pertaining to inheritance, can cause disagreements among heirs, including minors and adults. Relationships can change and intensify when you die, with underlying issues that bubble to the surface, creating tensions over your estate and possibly tearing…
In the absence of proper advice and guidance from a qualified estate planning attorney, many individuals make costly mistakes that will impact their assets, interests, and those they love after they pass away. Beyond undermining your intent and diminishing your…
A probate court will oversee the distribution of the decedent's property if he or she died intestate, or without a will. Also known as intestate succession, it has similarities to the probate process when a will is present. Still, the…
When a loved one passes away, it is an emotionally difficult period. Dealing with the death and receiving an inheritance brings mixed emotions. The loss of a loved one is sad, but the influx of funds can bring joy or…
More than $3 billion is lost to fraud each year among the elderly, according to the latest data from the US Department of Justice. It is believed that $3 billion is a low estimate, as many occurrences of elderly scams…