Can a trust protect my assets? | AmeriEstate Legal Services
November 04,
2020

Can a Trust Protect My Assets?

Determining who receives your assets after your death is difficult enough, and that is before the paperwork gets involved. One of the best tools in this planning process is a living trust, which can help ensure that your assets go to your intended beneficiaries as quickly as possible with little fuss.

Read more


The difference between a “Grantor, Settlor, and Trustor” of a Trust
September 29,
2020

The Difference Between a “Grantor, Settlor, and Trustor” of a Trust

Since there is so much terminology involved with trusts, it is easy to become confused. Many trusts refer to "grantors" and “settlors” and "trustors," and you may wonder what role these play in your estate planning. The good news is that the basics are very simple: these are actually interchangeable terms. Essentially, these terms refer to the entity or person who created the trust. In essence, the person who holds this role makes all the decisions regarding the trust, including what goes into the trust, who the beneficiaries of the trust are and how the law will disseminate any inheritance from the trust.

Read more


Till death do us part, or divorce - the story of the Browns | AmeriEstate Legal Plan
September 22,
2020

‘Till Death Do Us Part, or Divorce: The Story of the Browns

One of the top concerns when going through the estate planning process for older generations is to ensure their heirs avoid probate. Probate can be extremely expensive and ties up assets that heirs can't access. Learn how a nasty divorce can turn a probate process into a nightmare.

Read more


Removing Children from Title to Your Real Estate | AmeriEstate Legal Plan
August 26,
2020

Removing Children from Title to Your Real Estate

Many people believe that it is a smart idea to add their children on the deed to their home for inheritance purposes. Generally, the reasons for this are honest in nature. In the majority of cases, people want to help their heirs avoid probate or inheritance tax and think adding the child’s name to the deed is a form of asset protection. Sometimes they may also want to put their child’s name on a house deed to prevent the sale of the home to pay for assisted living expenses.

Read more


Avoid Litigation - How well is your Trust or Will? | AmeriEstate Legal Plan
August 18,
2020

Avoid Litigation – How well is your Trust or Will?

There are few things more destructive to family relationships than dealing with disputes after a loved one’s death. Dealing with potential high-value assets along with grief can be overwhelming and ruin a family. Additionally, intense strife over a will or trust may result in some or all of your intended beneficiaries attempting to abandon your estate plan.

Read more


How Much Does It Cost To Set Up a Living Trust? | AmeriEstate Legal
August 04,
2020

How Much Does It Cost To Set Up a Living Trust?

The most common choice you have when setting up an estate plan is the choice between a will and a living trust. A will is always a one-way ticket to probate unless your estate falls below a minimum threshold of value. In many states, the minimum threshold is about $50,000. In California, that threshold is $165,250.

Read more


How Can a Special Needs Trust Affect Supplemental Security Income? | AmeriEstate Legal Plan
July 20,
2020

How Can a Special Needs Trust Affect Supplemental Security Income?

Making allocations for loved ones with special needs requires special care. Unlike other beneficiaries of your estate, your loved ones with special needs cannot inherit money directly. Doing so could put their Medicaid benefits at risk. If you wish to provide for an individual with special needs, it is vital you adhere to specific estate planning strategies.

Read more


How is a Living Trust Different from a Will? | AmeriEstate Legal Plan
July 13,
2020

How is a Living Trust Different from a Will?

If you are going through the estate planning process, you may find it confusing. There are several options available to you, so this is natural. Many people wonder whether they should have a will, or trust, or both.

Read more