American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Recognized by Money Magazine Again

Carolyn Bigda’s article “Rethink Your Legacy” in the June issue of Money Magazine explores the five questions you should be asking regarding your estate. The article recommends the American Academy’s website, www.aaepa.com, as a source to find a qualified estate planning attorney. The Associate Director of Education at the Academy, Steve Hartnett, was also interviewed in the article and lent his expertise to one of the five questions. This is the fifth mention of finding a quality attorney on the American Academy’s members list by Money Magazine in the last 21 issues.

 Attorney Robert J. Kulas Attends Exclusive Estate Planning Conference in Memphis, Tennessee

Local Estate Planning Attorney Robert J. Kulas attended an educational conference in Memphis, Tennessee on April 23-26, 2009 sponsored by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. The Academy is the premier national educational organization that promotes excellence in estate planning by providing member attorneys with research and vital updates in estate, tax and business planning law since 1993. The advanced training included Estate Planning Tools in a Low Interest Rate Environment, Adding Special Needs to Your Practice, and Medicaid Planning under DRA: The Medicaid Irrevocable Income Only Trust.Additional training focused on Using Legacy Wealth Planning to Meet the Needs of the Next Generation and Protecting the Institutionalized Spouse.

 Robert J. Kulas Appointed to Board of Governors

The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys is pleased to announce that Robert J. Kulas, Attorney at Law, has been appointed to the Academy’s national Board of Governors.

 Consumer Reports Recommends American Academy

The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys was recommended in the January 2009 Consumer Reports Money Adviser newsletter. The article “How to Avoid Inheritance Feuds” focuses on techniques for avoiding conflict after a loved one passes away. The article recommends using the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys as a source for selecting a qualified estate planning attorney. The article also warned consumers to be explicit in their will in order to avoid disagreements. Other advice included deciding what is fair for each heir versus just dividing assets evenly and to keep everyone in your family informed of decisions beforehand.

Consumer Reports Money Adviser is an independent, non-profit newsletter that offers expert advice.

Click here to find out why our American Academy membership is so important to our firm and the many families we provide guidance to each year.

  Money Magazine Recognizes American Academy!

In the January 2009 issue of Money Magazine, Walecia Konrad’s article entitled “Keep It In The Family” focuses on making sure the wealth you’ve worked so hard to accumulate will go to the people you love. The article recommends the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys as a source to find an estate planning attorney who can tailor a plan for your situation and address your state rules. It also includes a useful estate planning checklist and valuable tips for putting together a proper estate plan that will safeguard your hard-earned assets from estate taxes, lawsuits and probate. This is the fourth time in 16 issues the American Academy has been recognized. Click here to find out why our American Academy membership is so important to our firm and the many families we provide guidance to each year.

  American Academy Mentioned in Money Magazine!

Robert Armstrong, President of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, was interviewed by Money Magazine senior writer Penelope Wang for her article " A Midlife Money Checkup" in the March 2008 Issue. The article was part of the Cover Story "A Boomer's Guide to Financial Freedom" that included multiple articles focusing on financial trends, aging well and other issues Baby Boomers are facing today. This is the third mention of the American Academy of Estate Planning by Money Magazine in the last seven issues.

The "Midlife Money Checkup" is a nine-step test that highlights questions Boomer's should be asking themselves at this point in their lives. Mr. Armstrong's expertise in estate planning was highlighted in question five, "Is your estate plan in order?" Make sure you don't have to ask yourself that question by meeting with a qualified attorney.

  Attorneys Attend Estate Planning Conference

Estate Planning Attorneys Robert J. Kulas and Andreas A. Kulas recently returned from the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys 2007 Fall Summit in San Diego, CA.

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  American Academy Mentioned in Money Magazine

The September issue of Money Magazine has an article entitled,"20 Timeless Money Rules." Rule 17, Exiting Gracefully, is particularly significant because it emphasizes the importance of putting together your estate plan. The recommendation of Money Magazine is that you search for a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys: "To find a lawyer, ask friends and colleagues for recommendations or get referrals online at the website of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (aaepa.com)." The American Academy is an exclusive membership organization for law firms dedicated to estate planning. We are proud of our Academy membership and pleased to be the only law firm in the greater Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach areas accepted into this prestigious organization. For more information about why our membership is so important to your family, click here.

 Attorney Robert Kulas Completes Extensive IRA Training

Estate Planning Attorney, Robert Kulas, recently completed in-depth training on planning with IRAs at an educational conference in Las Vegas. The instructor is the nationally known IRA expert, Ed Slott. Mr. Slott is the author of the widely acclaimed book, “The Retirement Savings Bomb…and How to Defuse It.” He has lectured extensively for years to financial professionals across the country on the complex IRA rules and how to properly plan to preserve and then transfer IRAs to family members.

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ESTATE PLANNING NEWS
 Unique Planning for Unique Families
The article examines how Legacy Wealth Planning can be used effectively with a blended family.

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ESTATE PLANNING NEWS
 Grandma and Grandpa--You're the Best!
The article examines ways to give to grandchildren, both during life and after you are gone.

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CLIENT NEWSLETTERS
 Your Estate Matters Newsletter, Vol. 14.2

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EDUCATIONAL ALERTS
 Legacy Wealth Planning for Blended Families
Blended families, where the parties have remarried or have children from other relationships, are increasingly common. This Alert examines the unique issues arising in the blended family context and ways to avoid the many pitfalls which may exist.

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EDUCATIONAL FYIs
 Stimulus Payments for Seniors
$250 Recovery Payments to go to SS and SSI beneficiaries in May 2009.

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