Trusts

• Posted in: Estate Planning

When it comes to estate planning, the role of a Trustee is one of the most crucial components in ensuring that your wishes are honored after your passing. A Trustee is a person (or entity) appointed to manage and distribute your assets according to the terms of your Trust.  Understanding the duties of a Trustee […]

• Posted in: Cultural Beliefs

Cultural beliefs and traditions play a significant role in shaping estate planning decisions. Different cultures have unique perspectives on inheritance, family roles, and wealth distribution, which can greatly influence how an estate plan is structured. For instance, some cultures prioritize passing wealth along the male lineage, while others may emphasize equal distribution among all children. […]

• Posted in: Estate Planning, Probate, Power of Attorney Blogs & More

Setting up a trust for minors is a thoughtful way to ensure that the children in your life are cared for financially, both now and in the future. Trusts can provide stability, support, education and manage inheritances until minors are responsible enough to handle their finances. Understanding the critical considerations of establishing a trust for […]

• Posted in: Estate Planning

You’ve got plenty to do this time of year. Buy presents. Get a turkey. Decorate the house. But there’s one more thing that you should add to the list – update your estate plan. Your estate plan needs to change as often as your life changes, says an article on savannahnow.com. Maybe there is a […]

• Posted in: Estate Taxes

The top tax bracket for the federal estate tax is currently at 40 percent. This might seem high, but as a recent article points out, very few people actually pay this tax. Most estates are entirely exempt from estate tax. There is a $5,340,000 exemption from federal estate tax, meaning that estates valued at up […]

• Posted in: Estate Planning

As estate planning attorneys, we are often asked, “When should I do my estate plan?” The answer is: “Anyone who is over the age of 18.” Estate planning is critical to everyday living for adults over the age of 18, and should be one of the priorities regardless of your age or marital status. If […]

• Posted in: Estate Planning

Many pet owners are refusing to leave the future of their pets to chance. As a recent article explains, devoted pet owners are providing for the care of their pets through wills, trusts, or other estate-planning provisions. As pet owner Carol Santora explained, “I got really nervous about it because I don’t think anyone in […]

• Posted in: Asset Protection

As this recent article in Forbes points out, trusts are quickly gaining ground as a popular estate-planning tool. They are attractive to many because they can be molded to serve a variety of purposes. One such purpose may be shielding assets in the event of divorce. Prior to a marriage, any assets placed in a […]