Blended Family Dynamics create Challenges
We have seen some step siblings able to all get along fine but they seem to be the exception. More likely, one sibling feels divided loyalty to the birth parent, not the step-parent.
July 26, 2021
Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes
If you do not learn from your mistakes, you are doomed to repeat them. In Estate Planning, if you do not learn from other’s mistakes, you are likely to repeat them.
July 20, 2021
New Episode of The Estate of The Union Podcast!
The new episode of The Estate of The Union podcast is out now. In Episode 5 Brad Wiewel is joined by attorney Ann Lumley, Director
July 9, 2021
A Trust is an Option when Children are Minors
Do I need a trust in case something happens to me?
July 8, 2021
Charitable options to Reduce Estate Taxes
Increasing tax changes for the wealthy are coming, and motivation to find ways to protect the wealth is getting increased attention, according to a recent article from CNBC entitled “Here’s how to reduce exposure to tax increases with charitable contributions.” Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are options for people who are…
July 7, 2021
How to Manage a Special Needs Trust
Trusts give parents of special-needs children additional options for extending care and financial assistance. However, you might need some expert help.
June 28, 2021
Unrecorded Deeds hurt Estate Planning
While discussing estate planning with my parents, they told me that an attorney prepared a deed for them but told them not to record it yet.
June 24, 2021
QTIP Trusts Help avoid Estate Taxes
Right now, gifts to trusts can take advantage of high tax exemptions and remove future appreciation of assets from taxable estates. One example available to spouses is making a gift to a trust that allows for a qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) election.
June 22, 2021
Protect Assets and maintain Medicaid Eligibility
The bill for long-term care adds up fast. The annual median cost for a private room in a nursing home was $105,850 in 2020, according to Genworth. The government could pick up these costs if you qualify for Medicaid, but that’s easier said than done.
June 17, 2021
Short-Cuts in Planning can have Consequences
Over the years I get all kinds of questions from people. And boy, have I heard some doozies. But one common one I get is called the ‘lazy (or poor) man’s (or woman’s’) estate planning.’ This type of estate planning has some very negative tax consequences.
June 15, 2021