Planning for Step-Children

August 1, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

If your spouse has biological children, you may consider them your own. But, if you haven’t adopted them, they have no inheritance rights. This article looks at how...... Read More

Estate Planning

The Importance of Communicating Your Plans

August 1, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

Each of us will die eventually. This article looks at how planning can make your passing easier for those whom you leave behind. Specifically, this article will look...... Read More

Estate Planning

How Much is Too Much?

August 1, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

This article looks at the question of how much is too much to leave your children. Many people have pledged... Read More

Estate Planning

The Importance of Succession Planning in a Family Business

July 30, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

For many Americans, owning and operating a family business is part and parcel of the American Dream. If that describes... Read More

Small Business Planning

How and When Does a Living Trust Terminate?

July 3, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

A living trust is one of the most common tools used in estate planning. If you are contemplating the addition... Read More

Trust Administration

Clarity is Key to Planning

July 1, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

Clarity is essential in an estate plan. This article examines the case of Tom Petty, what he did right and what he did wrong. It shows that clarity...... Read More

Estate Planning

Is an Inherited IRA Taxable to the Beneficiary?

June 13, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

Planning for retirement is much more complex in the 21st century than it was in decades past. Workers can no... Read More

Estate Planning

What Is a Family Wealth Trust?

June 3, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

When you initially sit down to create an estate plan, a Last Will and Testament may be all you need... Read More

Wills and Trusts

What is a GST Trust?

June 3, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

A Generation-Skipping or “GST” trust can be a good way to keep assets out of the taxable estate of a beneficiary and yet still allow them to be...... Read More

Estate Planning

Kiddie Tax is Worse Than Ever

June 3, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

The Kiddie Tax can apply to the unearned income of children. Read on to learn if this tax applies to you or your children. Also, learn ways to...... Read More

Estate Planning

Last Will vs. Living Trust

May 9, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

Although your initial estate planning document will probably be a Last Will and Testament, there may come a time when... Read More

Estate Planning

Older Americans Month Is an Excellent Time to Update Your Estate Plan

May 3, 2019 - Joshua K. Crawford

Each year, during the month of May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) sponsors the nation’s observance of Older Americans... Read More

Elder Law