The Government’s estate plan for you

What if I told you the Government already has written a default estate plan for you? If you don’t create your own plan, then their default plan will take over. Their plan involves court and is expensive. You also don’t get a say. You probably won’t like the details of the Government’s plan. It’s not […]
Do I Have an Estate?
Should I Have a Will or a Trust?

Should I Have a Will or Trust at the center of my estate plan?
Avoid Capital Gains Taxes (video)

Do you want to make your children pay more taxes than they absolutely need to? That’s just what happens when you put your children on the deed. When you put your children on the deed, you’re making a gift, a part of your ownership of the house to them. This often leads to capital gains […]
Estate Planning Mistake #2 – Failing to Address Your Healthcare
Wills, Trusts & Dying Intestate: How They Differ

Most people understand that having some sort of an estate plan is, as Martha Stewart would say, a “good thing.” However, many of us don’t take the steps to get that estate plan in place because we don’t understand the nuances between wills and trusts – and dying without either. Here’s what will generally happen […]
FAQ: How can I understand this 70 page trust?

Personal circumstances and/or the law could change so that a presently irrelevant provision may become relevant and/or applicable in the future. Starting with a longer robust document and possibly tailoring the document to meet the personal cosmetic preferences of the client enables a higher quality document. It is better to start with as complete a […]
10 Types of Trusts: A Quick Look

Considering the myriad of trusts available, creating an estate plan that works can seem daunting. However, that’s what we, as estate planning attorneys, do every day. We know the laws and will design a plan which addresses your specific situation. Here’s a look at the basics of ten common trusts to provide a general understanding. […]
FAQ: What is a HIPAA waiver/medical records consent?

Sam was sick, really sick and had to be checked into the hospital. His significant other, Sade, was by his side all the time. Sam started running a fever and was delirious. Sade wanted to know what was going on, but the doctor couldn’t tell her. If only Sam had signed a HIPAA waiver. The […]
Baker’s Dozen of Common Estate Planning Mistakes