Despite its unusual sounding name, a QDRO isn’t an alien from a science fiction movie or a geometric equation. In fact, QDRO stands for “qualified domestic relations order.” If you’re in the process of a divorce, a QDRO may...more
Perhaps you drafted your will years ago and it references many of your existing assets, including retirement plan accounts and life insurance policies. But you also have paperwork on file with the applicable financial...more
5/3/2023
/ Beneficiaries ,
Beneficiary Designations ,
Divorce ,
Estate Planning ,
Life Insurance ,
Marriage ,
Power of Attorney ,
Retirement Plan ,
Spouses ,
Trusts ,
Wills
An estate planning rule of thumb is to review (and, if necessary, revise) one’s estate plan in light of major life events. Such events include a marriage, birth of a child and a divorce. A second marriage also calls for an...more
4/4/2019
/ Advanced Care Directives ,
Beneficiaries ,
Beneficiary Designations ,
Divorce ,
Estate Planning ,
Life Insurance ,
Marriage ,
Power of Attorney ,
Prenuptial Agreements ,
Prior Wills ,
Retirement Plan ,
Spouses ,
Surviving Spouse ,
Trusts ,
Wills
In This Issue:
- Expiration date: IRS provides estate tax protection against sunsetting TCJA provisions
- A Crummey trust may sound pretty good
- A second walk down the aisle can complicate estate planning
-...more
4/1/2019
/ Crummey Trusts ,
Divorce ,
Estate Planning ,
Estate Tax ,
Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ,
IRA Rollovers ,
IRS ,
Marriage ,
Sunset Provisions ,
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ,
Trusts
Virtually everyone needs an estate plan, but this isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Even though each person’s situation is unique, general guidelines can be drawn depending on one’s current stage of life. This article...more
For those in the middle of a divorce, the last thing on their mind is a review of their estate plan. However, a major life change, such as a divorce, is a critical time to update an estate plan so that wishes are carried out...more
10/6/2017
/ Beneficiary Designations ,
Divorce ,
Estate Planning ,
Estate Tax ,
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts ,
Living Trust ,
Minor Children ,
QTIP Trusts ,
Revocable Trusts ,
Surviving Spouse ,
Tax Deductions ,
Trusts
In This Issue:
- Social Security benefits When is the right time to begin receiving payments?
- Planning ahead after a divorce
- ABLE accounts benefit disabled family members
- Estate planning pitfall: You chose...more
Protecting family assets in the event of a divorce is particularly significant for family business owners, who typically want to avoid sharing ownership with their ex-spouses or their children’s ex-spouses. A prenuptial...more
8/3/2015
/ Community Property ,
Divorce ,
Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT) ,
Estate Planning ,
Estate Tax ,
Family Businesses ,
Foreign Asset Protection Trusts (FAPT) ,
Foreign Trusts ,
Gift Tax ,
Marital Assets ,
Prenuptial Agreements ,
Separate Property ,
Spouses ,
Trusts
The recently divorced have likely had their fill of legal documents and proceedings, but it’s important that they review their estate plan as soon as possible to ensure they’re protected against unintended consequences. This...more
In This Issue:
- Unintended consequences: After divorce, review your
estate plan to avoid surprises
- Protecting your real estate assets
- How will the GST tax affect your estate plan?
- Estate...more
8/4/2014
/ Community Property ,
Divorce ,
GST ,
Homestead Exemption ,
Inter Vivos Gifts ,
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts ,
Marital Assets ,
Property Owners ,
Property Ownership ,
QTIP Trusts ,
Real Estate Investments ,
Tax Planning