As the federal estate tax exemption has ballooned from $1.5 million eleven years ago to $5.45 million today, the need for estate tax planning has drastically decreased. Instead, higher income tax rates that were ushered in under the American Taxpayer … more

As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury or chronic medical … more

Are you failing your family the way these 4 celebrities failed theirs? These four celebrity estate planning fiascos offer lessons about how to handle your own planning and legacies. 1. Pablo Picasso – The great Dada artist died in 1973 … more

There’s an entire category of commonly-overlooked legacy to consider – digital assets. Don’t worry if you didn’t consider these assets when made your will or trust – it’s surprisingly common and, luckily, easy to correct. What are digital assets? They … more

The news of the unexpected death of music legend Prince, age 57, shocked the world. Prince left a profound, indelible mark as an artist. Tragically, though, for all his talent, Prince made a simple error that is creating huge complications … more

WARNING:  Many people believe once they set up a Revocable Living Trust and transfer assets into the Trust, those assets are protected from lawsuits.  This is absolutely not true. While Trusts commonly provide asset protection for beneficiaries, few Trusts protect … more

Leaving your hard-earned assets outright to your children, grandchildren or other beneficiaries after you die will make their inheritance easy prey for creditors, predators, and divorcing spouses.  Instead, consider using discretionary trusts for the benefit of each of your beneficiaries. … more

Trust protectors are a fairly new and commonly used protection in the United States. In short, a trust protector is someone who serves as an appointed authority over a trust that will be in effect for a long period of … more

When a bottle of wine is decanted, it’s poured from one container into another. When a trust is decanted, trust assets are poured from an old trust into a new trust with more favorable terms. Why Should a Trust Be … more

You work hard for your money and want to ensure that your wealth distribution goes according to your wishes upon death. Sadly, many people simply don’t understand the difference between wills and trusts and how they can affect an inheritance. … more