Generally speaking, the more comprehensive your estate plan is, the better for your beneficiaries. Most people tend to think of assets as houses, cars, jewelry, etc. But in some instances, intellectual property could also be considered a transferable asset. Patents, trademarks, copyrights, even rights of publicity are intangible assets that should be factored into an estate plan for smooth handling. Continue Reading →
A lot of people think an estate plan simply refers to a will or trust that provides explicit instructions for handling your estate after your death. Wills and trusts are definitely part of an estate plan, but there are many more components. So, what is an estate plan really? An estate plan is a comprehensive set of legal documents Continue Reading →
Melissa’s Estate Planning Story Our family just recently drafted our estate plan. This may seem ironic given I’m a practicing attorney that advises on the subject regularly! Why did it take so long to get a plan together? Great question. Here are my observations: 1) It is taboo – When I had my daughter, I was well read on the Continue Reading →
The summer season is here! And that means travel and vacations are high on everyone’s list. One thing that might not make it to a typical traveler’s to-do list is estate planning—but it couldn’t be more important as you prepare to enjoy the sandy beach or Rocky Mountains. Americans spend more time planning their vacation each year than planning their 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 →