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Introduction – Estate Planning for Newlyweds Are you a newlywed? If so, estate planning is probably the last thing on your mind. For starters, nobody wants to think about their spouse passing away. What’s more, weddings cost a lot of money. By some estimates, 74% percent of couples go into debt to pay for their […]

Introduction Whenever you lose a loved one, probate is the last thing that comes to mind. Unfortunately, for many families, it becomes part of the grieving process. Having an idea of what to expect can make it easier on everyone. Here are three things you may not know about probate. Wills Do Not Avoid Probate […]

Introduction – Medicaid Financial Eligibility In my last post, I discussed the basics of Medicaid (click here). To recap, Medicaid is a joint effort between the states and federal government. It pays the medical expenses of qualified individuals. I am an estate planning and elder law attorney. My law firm helps clients plan for long-term […]

Introduction to Medicaid While many people have heard of Medicaid, few truly understand it. Beginning today, this blog will feature a comprehensive, multi-part series on the program. Part one is an overview of coverage and eligibility. What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a joint effort between the states and federal government. It pays health care costs […]

Introduction You have just lost a loved one, and now comes the dreaded words: you need to go to probate. Sure, dealing with a court is never fun. However, there are things you can do to make the process easier on your family. Here are three keys for a successful probate. Hire the Right Probate […]

Introduction As I’ve said many times before, estate planning is an ongoing process. This is particularly true of living trusts. In order to achieve your goals, it is vital that you update your trust over time. When should you update your trust, and how? That is the subject of today’s post. When to Update a […]

Introduction – Non-Tax Reasons for Estate Planning The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the federal estate tax exemption to over $22 million for married couples. Some are now asking: “What’s the point of estate planning?” Minimizing estate taxes should be a goal for high net worth clients. Yet, it’s not the only reason to […]

Introduction – I Already Have an Estate Plan…Now What? Estate planning is something many people put off for years or even decades. After all, nobody wants to think about death. Once you have an estate plan in place, then, it would be understandable to set it aside and focus on more pleasant things. Unfortunately, however, […]

Introduction Recently, President Trump signed the most significant tax reform in generations. The legislation will have considerable impacts not only on the nation’s economy but also on estate and business planning. Beginning next year, many changes are afoot. Two such changes relate to taxation of estates and certain business entities. Doubling of the Estate Tax […]

Estate Planning 101 – Incapacity When most people hear “estate planning”, they think about post-death. Yet, a sound estate plan also deals with incapacity. None of us can predict Alzheimer’s or stroke. Therefore, it’s best to be prepared. What follows is a summary of the key estate planning documents for addressing incapacity. Durable Power of […]