Trust Created by Spouse Using Power of Attorney is Validated
JUNE 14 , 2010 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 19 Suppose for a moment that you are trying to get your financial affairs in order. You have been married for many years, and your spouse is gradually losing the capacity to make financial or planning decisions. You are pretty sure you know what your spouse would want, […]
Why Do I Have To Complete That Darned Questionnaire?
MAY 31, 2010 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 18 You have made your appointment to discuss estate planning. Our office has sent you a reminder letter, an explanation of what will happen when you get here, a map with parking instructions — and an 8-page questionnaire, asking for all sorts of details about your family, your assets […]
Estate Taxes, Crystal Balls and What Might Happen This Year
MAY 24, 2010 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 17 There is no estate tax in 2010. But there might be. When will we know? What should you do? Estate planning attorneys have joked darkly (as a group, we often have slightly off-kilter senses of humor) that 2010 is the year to die. Because of Congressional plans first […]
Non-Lawyer Trust Preparation Group Shut Down in Indiana
MAY 3, 2010 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 15 United Financial Systems Corporation looks like they can do it all. According to their website (which you will have to look up for yourself — we don’t want to point to it since it still includes information about how to sign up for the activities that have now […]
Our Free Seminar Reviews 2010 Law Changes For Estate Plans
APRIL 19, 2010 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 13 This has been a tumultuous year for estate planning attorneys—and for their clients. The federal estate tax has been repealed, there are new rules in effect governing Roth IRAs, and heirs are facing higher capital gains liability. We don’t profess to have all the answers, but we think […]
In Rare Challenge, Court Finds Revocation of Will Effective
FEBRUARY 22, 2010 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 6 The popular conception of the probate process and the making of wills is colored by misinformation from a number of sources. Movies, books and plays provide much of the misunderstanding, building an expectation of “the reading of the will” in a lawyer’s office (it just doesn’t happen), regular […]
Protecting Clients From Their Own Mistakes Can Be A Challenge
DECEMBER 14 , 2009 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 64 Preparation of an estate plan is more than the individual documents. A good attorney considers the client’s circumstances and wishes, and analyzes the best course of action. The process requires the attorney and the client to communicate, and to work together. Too often, however, problems arise after […]
To Our Favorite Estate Planning Client: Please Help Us Help You
JUNE 1, 2009 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 42 Dear client: It has been wonderful working with you. We are pleased that your estate plan is completed, and simultaneously saddened that we will not be seeing much of you for a couple years. Please remember to get in touch with us if there are major life changes. […]
Some Advice About Selecting Fiduciaries For Your Estate Plan
APRIL 20, 2009 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 37 When it comes time to complete estate planning, our clients usually have clear ideas about who should receive their property, what health care decisions they would want made — even how they feel about cremation, burial, organ donation and most of the other issues that must be addressed. […]
Trust Salesmen Alleged To Have Pushed Seniors Into Annuities
JULY 14, 2003 VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2 Philip Klein thought he was getting estate planning advice. At first he probably didn’t realize he was also talking to an insurance agent. His children ended up suing the agent, the insurance company and the “estate planning services” firm employing the agent. Mr. Klein was 85 years old […]
