Do you have a will? Even though people are living longer every day, you may be tempted to put it off a few more years—but think again. Be edgy and get a will; you’ll be in the minority. A will is the most popular of estate planning documents and what most people think is all they need when it comes Continue Reading →
A will is one of the most well-known estate planning documents, and yes, everyone should have one. But in some cases having a trust in addition to your will is imperative to give you the protection you’re looking for. The biggest myth about wills is that it avoids probate—not true. Here are six ways a trust is better than a Continue Reading →
The Olympic medals don’t come free. Every medal winner in Sochi, from Sage Kotsenburg who won gold in snowboard slopestyle to Julia Mancuso who won bronze in skiing super combined, will owe the U.S. government as much as $10,000 in taxes just for bringing home a medal. The U.S. is one of only a handful of developed countries who tax Continue Reading →
It was announced today that Nelson Mandela’s estate is valued at $4.1 million, excluding royalties and potentially other sources, to be split among his family, members of his staff, schools he attended, and the African National Congress, the movement with which he was intimately involved for decades and which now rules post-apartheid South Africa. How do we know that Mandela’s Continue Reading →
To most parents, the question of whether the government should intervene to dictate how a child should be raised is an easy one. Parents, not the court system, should decide what is best for their children — in the absence, of course, of abuse or neglect. But does that change when a child’s life is on the line? Guardianship Continue Reading →
Once you decide to protect yourself, your loved ones and your finances with an estate plan, you will experience a wonderful feeling of peacefulness. Knowing that you are in good hands with our firm is truly priceless. After you design your plan with our attorneys at your Family Wealth Planning Session, we get to work. making sure that all of Continue Reading →
Some of you know that I do event photography for non-profits on the side. This is a lovely experience and I enjoy it thoroughly! Plus, I get to meet lots of caring individuals. I met with one such gentleman this week after the event to talk about what we do as a firm and how we like to do good Continue Reading →
When it comes to executing a will, many people worry unnecessarily that their will might be contested. In fact, wills are seldom contested and even when they are, challenges rarely succeed. And before most challenges are filed, the beneficiary has to think long and hard about whether bringing a challenge is worth it—because if a will is properly drafted it Continue Reading →
By Catherine Tidd of the Widdahood How many of you, when it comes to talking about life-insurance with your spouse, have said one of the following statements? It’ll never happen to us. We’re too young! We take care of ourselves…heck we run every day! We’ll sign up for it later. There’s no rush. I’m suspecting that it’s a lot. And Continue Reading →
If you’ve been asked by a family member of close friend to serve as the trustee of a trust, you should feel honored that the trust-maker feels confident in relying on your good judgment to undertake this important responsibility. But it’s very likely you have no idea what you have just said yes to. Being a trustee means you are Continue Reading →