Everything You Need to Know About Beneficiary Designations
There are a number of considerations to make when deciding whether to proceed with a Will-based estate plan or a trust-based estate plan. First, as a general matter, there are two ways in which your estate can be distributed...more
One of the most common questions we hear from our clients is “do I need a revocable living trust?” While in some states a revocable living trust is a vital component of any estate plan due to those state’s probate laws,...more
Legacies and estate planning are often considered to be something later in life. Yet the truth is none of us have any idea when we might become incapacitated or pass away and consequently, understanding the various scenarios...more
Many think estate planning is only a concern for those who are later in their stage of life or wealthy. They put it off for years, or entirely. Estate planning is for everyone and essential to maintain financial security...more
I am often asked about the difference between wills and revocable trusts, so I thought it important to explain the purpose of each. Wills and revocable trusts basically do the same thing – each is a document in which you...more
As our loved ones get older, we want to ensure that they have planned for their future. This often means having an estate plan in place to handle the distributions of their assets upon their passing or to plan for their...more
So, you finally sat down to start your estate plan but have heard so many conflicting points about wills and trusts that you don’t know where to start. If you are choosing between a trust and a will, you’re not alone. One of...more
The services following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II might have many of us thinking about our own estate planning. One striking piece of information about Her Majesty was that she had planned out many...more
What happened: Fester Addams, a wealthy bachelor, wants nothing more than to find a great love like that between his older brother Gomez and his wife Morticia, but he is too trusting and easily mislead. Following the...more
Presented by Cohen Seglias associate Whitney Patience O'Reilly on October 22, 2020. An often overlooked but important aspect of estate planning is the designation of beneficiaries—both primary and contingent—on life...more
While you may love your son-in-law or daughter-in-law, you may not necessarily want to pass your assets to them that your child inherited from you but then subsequently died. Many people have reservations about this scenario....more
Two years after rocker Tom Petty's sudden death, tensions between one of his two daughters and his second wife over the future of his estate have come to a head. Allegations of angry emails, unauthorized decision making,...more
Everyone needs an estate plan, no matter their age, income, or number of assets. Investing your time in learning about estate plans and how to create one, will avoid any confusion down the line and will help take care of your...more
When it comes to your estate plan, there are a lot of decisions you’ll have to make. Arguably, one of the most important decisions involves identifying to whom, and how, you want assets to pass when you die. Whether you...more
In This Issue: - Who needs an estate plan? Quick answer: Everyone - NINGs, DINGs and WINGs: Understanding the tax angles of self-settled trusts - Securities laws can derail your estate plan - ESTATE PLANNING...more
I’m writing this in Wilmington, North Carolina at a time when many in this area still are struggling after Hurricane Florence. The weekend before the storm was bright and sunny. I would have rather gone to the beach, but...more
Many people will balk at the thought of signing their will at an elderly age, thinking that they’re “signing up for death.” Did Aretha Franklin think that? While it may seem like something you don’t need to worry about...more
Powers of attorney and trust instruments have each been the subject of many an estate plan. They each have also been the subject of multiple estate litigations. In combination, the two have served as fodder for controversies...more
September Interest Rates for GRATs, Sales to Defective Grantor Trusts, Intra-Family Loans and Split Interest Charitable Trusts - The September § 7520 rate for use with estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs, QPRTs...more
In your experience, what’s the most costly mistake people make when preparing estate plans, and what can they do to fix them? That’s the question we recently put to attorneys writing on JD Supra....more