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Elder Law & Estate Planning

Discuss your plans with your family

Too many people assume that they are on the same page with other members of their family when it comes to estate planning and planning for the care of minor children or children with special needs. However, this is not always the case. One of the first things a family should do when preparing an…

Special Needs Planning

Several ways to fund your trust

Establishing an estate plan is just the first step in preparing for your future care and the future care of your loved ones. If you have chosen to set up a trust for tax and probate purposes, it is important to stick to a regular schedule of funding your trust. Funding your trust is the…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Why is it important to keep public benefits?

People who leave a large sum of money to a loved one with a disability are always doing so with the best intention at heart. On its face, a lump sum in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars seems like a gift that will help care for your loved one for a long time. However, this is not always the case.

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Consider Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts

Although it may seem difficult, estate planning is most important during a recession. Sticking to an estate plan will help you maximize the benefits of your assets and property in both the short and long term, and will allow you to minimize any damage that may be done to your long term plans.

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Keep your focus on your long term planning goals

One of the first steps in the process of creating a comprehensive estate plan is to outline your plans for yourself and the transfer of your assets as well as your plans for the future care of your loved ones. In this regard, your estate plan should be developed in accordance with wishes and goals…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Don’t forget to fund your trust

Setting up a trust to handle your assets during your lifetime is one element of a good estate plan. A living trust gives instructions as to how your assets should be managed during your life and provides instructions on how they are to be distributed after your death. While the establishment of a trust is…

Special Needs Planning

Ensure your beneficiaries keep their public benefits

If you are the caregiver for an individual with special needs, there is a good chance he or she is receiving public benefits such as Social Security disability. Public benefits are subject to strict income restrictions, which, if exceeded can result in the loss of funds that your loved one has come to depend on.…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Estate planning can help you avoid probate

Probate is the court-supervised process through which your assets are distributed to your beneficiaries and loved ones. The probate process applies to estates both with and without wills, and it can be smooth and orderly or contentious depending on whether or not family members are fighting over assets you have not specified beneficiaries for. There…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Protect your business interests through good estate planning

If you own a business, whether you are a sole proprietor or own jointly with partners, it is important that you take into consideration how you want your business and its assets to be handled when you are no longer able to contribute to its maintenance and growth. You may want your business to be…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Nothing can be taken for granted in estate planning

When thinking about estate planning it can be easy to assume that the transfer of your assets and property will proceed exactly the way you imagine without any contention or unexpected issues. Perhaps you think you know how your children, spouse or business partner will behave when you are no longer with them. Or, maybe…