Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys When it comes to estate planning, Ted and Emily thought they were ahead of the game. They went to their attorney for help with estate planning and created a Trust to protect their assets. They are in company with about only 21 percent of Americans who also have a Trust. After their lawyer prepared documents, they signed or “executed” … [Read more...] about Funding: What Should Ted and Emily Have Done

The Risk of No Contest Clauses Compliments of Our Law Firm Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys When renowned fashion designer Oscar de la Renta died in late 2014, the assumption of many was his son, widow and her three children would receive similar – if not equal – inheritances. Instead, the designer’s son, Moises de la Renta received a very small inheritance (especially … [Read more...] about The Risk of No Contest Clauses

Facing Reality: The Essence of Family Business Succession Planning Facing Reality: The Essence of Family Business Succession Planning Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys  A simple search online these days can turn up lots of advice regarding the importance and benefits of buy-sell agreements, deferred compensation agreements, and life insurance in family business … [Read more...] about Facing Reality: The Essence of Family Business Succession Planning

Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys The holiday season is not only a time to reflect on the past and consider your future, it’s also a time to cherish wonderful days with your loved ones. While spending time with children and family and thinking about how time has passed and kids have grown, many people will begin to think about the life they have created and the legacy … [Read more...] about Importance of Legacy Planning

Estate Planning and Happily Ever After Compliments of Our Law Firm Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys You may have overheard a former classmate at a high school reunion say, “You haven’t changed a bit!” But if you really want to see how much you’ve changed, just take a look through your high school yearbooks. Odds are, any mention of the future from those who signed your … [Read more...] about Estate Planning and Happily Ever After

Life Insurance: Understanding its Many Benefits Compliments of Our Law Firm Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Few things in life are more devastating than watching a loved one struggle with a long-term or terminal illness. It can be one of the most helpless feelings ever experienced. While that’s overwhelming enough, there are medical bills and other costs which must be … [Read more...] about Life Insurance: Understanding its Many Benefits

Claiming More Than Marriage: Important Financial and Estate Planning for Same-Sex Marriages  Compliments of Our Law Firm Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys In the past, many same-sex couples never focused on estate planning or even financial planning because they felt it was moot. The ways around those impossible and unfair laws were successful for some couples, in some … [Read more...] about Claiming More Than Marriage: Important Financial and Estate Planning for Same-Sex Marriages

My Attorney Just Retired – What Now?  Compliments of Our Law Firm Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Over your lifetime, you’ve established lasting relationships with professionals like dentists, doctors, and attorneys. It’s hard to think that these professionals who have always been available to help us may someday leave their firm or practice. They may retire, move to … [Read more...] about My Attorney Just Retired – What Now?

Your Independence, Rising Medical Costs and Retirement Compliments of Our Law Firm Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Many of us believe we have the “planning for the future” space covered. We’ve worked hard and saved. Our homes are paid off by the time we go into retirement and as far as we’re concerned, life now consists of living well in the way we define. In a … [Read more...] about Your Independence, Rising Medical Costs and Retirement

Fair Does Not Always Mean Equal: Avoiding Conflict in Inheritances  Compliments of Our Law Firm Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Let’s face it, even in the closest-knit families, money and assets can still create problems. For example, resentment can show up when one sibling has seen greater financial and career success than his siblings and trying to “balance” that in … [Read more...] about Fair Does Not Always Mean Equal: Avoiding Conflict in Inheritances