It’s beginning to look a lot like Thanksgiving . . . and then Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve will follow. These are prime holidays for family gatherings, which can offer in-person opportunities to have important conversations. You may be inclined to...
As discussed in our last article, there are plenty of ways to make charitable donations during your lifetime. But for those who prefer to leave funds to charity upon death as part of their estate plan (often referred to as planned giving), this can be accomplished...
Our last article covered some basics of charitable giving. Now, let’s dive into a few ways you can give to your organizations of choice and how to form an optimal charitable giving strategy. It’s important to ensure that your charitable giving strategy incorporates...
Navigating the process of charitable giving can be both rewarding and bewildering. It feels good to support an organization or cause that you believe in, but it can also be difficult to make sense of the tax and financial implications of doing so. With the right...
Even though it can be sensitive and complex, it’s prudent to have a plan for what happens to your assets after you pass. No financial plan is complete without an estate plan, and no estate plan is complete without at least considering whether you need a trust. Simply...
In previous articles, we discussed the consequences of dying without a will or without proper beneficiary designations in place. Few of us would want to see the state court system decide how our assets are distributed or how our children are cared for. But the need to...
In previous articles, we discussed what a will, power of attorney (POA), advanced medical directive (AMD), and beneficiaries are and why they are important. You’ve likely thought about these things across the years, with every intention of addressing them, but if you...
Before hiring an estate planning attorney, there are a variety of factors to take into account, including your own needs and concerns, as well as the experience level of the candidates you consider. To help ensure you arrive at the best possible decision, be sure to...
A common misconception in estate planning is that all of your assets will pass according to your will. While a will governs your probate property, many assets pass outside of probate by virtue of a beneficiary designation, including: Life insurance proceeds Pension...
An estate plan ensures that you and your loved ones will be cared for in case of death or incapacity and that your assets will be distributed in accordance with your wishes. It may include a will, power of attorney, as well as other key documents. Everyone needs an...