Compliments of Our Law Firm, Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys May people might think it is beyond their means to leave a testamentary charitable gift (a gift made after you die) and would be surprised to learn that you don’t have to be wealthy to leave behind a substantial charitable legacy. One way to accomplish this is with an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). … [Read more...] about How Life Insurance Can Fund Your Charitable Legacy

Compliments of Our Law Firm, Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys June 26, 2013 was a landmark day for LGBTQ couples across the United States. With two much-anticipated rulings, U.S. v Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, the U.S. Supreme Court made federal benefits available to spouses in same-sex marriages and cleared the way for same-sex marriage in … [Read more...] about DOMA’s Impact on Estate Planning for LGBTQ Couples

Compliments of Our Law Firm, Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Irrevocable trusts are a common estate planning tool, and they provide valuable benefits in a variety of planning situations. For example, irrevocable trusts can be used: To transfer assets to a beneficiary, while restricting the circumstances under which that person can access the trust property. To … [Read more...] about Is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Right for You?

Practical Discussions About Funerals  Compliments of Our Law Firm, Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys With all of the uncertainty in life, the one common denominator we all share and none escape is death. We go through life with a mindset of “when” things happen: when we graduate college, when we start a family, when we take that vacation in the French Riviera; yet when … [Read more...] about Practical Discussions About Funerals

Take Advantage of Gifting to Reduce Your Estate  Compliments of Our Law Firm, Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys For some of us, one reason we earn money is to provide the extras, the “non necessities” to our loved ones. Few things are more exciting than seeing a child or grandchild unwrap an eagerly anticipated gift. The expressions on their faces, the delight in their … [Read more...] about Take Advantage of Gifting to Reduce Your Estate

Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys As the year draws to an end and the New Year quickly approaches, now is the time to think about resolutions and look towards the future. One New Year’s resolution you should consider this year is to think very long term. Instead of just planning for how you can improve life in the upcoming year, the dawn of a new year is the perfect … [Read more...] about Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Compliments of Our Law Firm, By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Giving generously to charity has many advantages, some obvious, and some not so obvious. First and foremost, your donation helps to support your favorite cause. Giving also makes you feel great, and if you itemize deductions on your tax return, gifts to qualified charities may result in an income tax deduction. But … [Read more...] about Three Ways the IRS Rewards Your Generosity

Compliments of Our Law Firm, By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys “There is a magic in that little world, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits.” - Robert Southey If you are like many Americans, your home is not only an emotionally valuable asset for your family, it is also among your most valuable financial assets. … [Read more...] about Home: Your Most Valuable Investment

Compliments of Our Law Firm, Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys One way to reduce your estate tax bill is to give money away during your lifetime. If you are a parent or a grandparent, giving to the children in your life is a great way to accomplish this. By doing so, you can help your children or grandchildren build their financial futures, with tax savings as a natural … [Read more...] about Gifts to Minors: Sharing Your Wealth the Smart Way

Compliments of Our Law Firm, Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys John and Susan have been married for 38 years. Like many couples, early in their marriage, they gravitated toward a division of labor that worked for them. John is an amateur chef, so he handles the grocery shopping, the meal planning, and the cooking. Susan loves the outdoors, so she takes care of the lawn … [Read more...] about Cross-Training for Financial Fitness