Safeguard and Periodically Review Your Estate Plan. No Estate Plan is ever finalized. Tax laws, economic conditions, estate exclusions, account values and inflation constantly change which affects the way they are implemented. Material events that suggest it is time for a review of your Estate Plan include: Funding your Trust – especially if opening new accounts or moving to a new … [Read more...] about When to Review Trusts and Other Estate Plans
A Checklist for Settling a Living Trust Estate
A helpful checklist on how to settle a Living Trust Estate. Most of us have an estate, a legacy we leave to our families. We also have a choice over how that legacy will be passed on. If we choose to do nothing, we are choosing to allow the State to administer our estate and to determine who receives our legacy. An average probate can cost 5 to 10 percent of the gross estate. Avoid probate by … [Read more...] about A Checklist for Settling a Living Trust Estate
The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Living Trusts
Have you tried doing your own physical exam lately? I mean, going to a doctor can be such a waste of time, not to mention the cost. It can be so much better to try to save money and just complete the necessary tests and lab work by yourself. Possibly, you have performed surgery on yourself? Maybe you have extracted your own tooth or filled an annoying cavity all without the assistance of a … [Read more...] about The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Living Trusts
Common Myths About Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Some common myths about doing your own Estate Plan. MYTH: I have chosen a godparent for my children, so it is not necessary for me to nominate a legal guardian for them in case something happens to me. FACT: Traditionally, the role of a godparent is to faithfully assist the godchildren in leading a spiritual and moral life. It is not a nomination or appointment to become the child's … [Read more...] about Common Myths About Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Does Credit Card Debt Live Beyond Your Lifetime?
Many believe that credit card debt dies along with you. That is not exactly true. So what does happen to credit card debt after you pass away? There is no simple answer to this question. And the complete answer depends on a number of variables such as who else is on your account, whether you have a living trust, and what state you live in. When you die, your estate is required to pay any … [Read more...] about Does Credit Card Debt Live Beyond Your Lifetime?
Legal Strategies and Planning for Long-Term Care and Asset Protection
Planning for Long-Term Care and Asset Protection The Risks of Failing to Plan You can't avoid it forever. The truth is, most of us are going to face unthinkable hardships as we age. Perhaps the most feared adversity seniors face is dementia. A disorder that degrades brain function one piece at a time and robs you of the life you know. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's. In the … [Read more...] about Legal Strategies and Planning for Long-Term Care and Asset Protection
Adding Children to Title of Real Property
Adding Children to Title of Real Property or Other Significant Assets May Create Problems People often have their own ideas of the easiest way to pass on their homes or other property to their children when they pass away. Later on, they may seek the services of an attorney to help them prepare a more comprehensive estate plan, such as a Revocable Living Trust. It is not that unusual for … [Read more...] about Adding Children to Title of Real Property
How to Make Tax Free Gifts
Most gifts of money or valuable assets to another are considered by the IRS to be taxable to the person making the gift. Exceptions Under current IRS rules there are four ways to make tax free gifts that are not taxable to the person making the gift: Annual gifts capped at $14,000 (indexed for inflation) Lifetime gift exclusion ($5.45 million in 2016 indexed for inflation) Payments … [Read more...] about How to Make Tax Free Gifts
Common Questions Regarding Trusts and Second Marriages
Basic Questions on Trusts and Second Marriages Written by: Greg Reese, President & CEO, AmeriEstate Legal Plan, Inc. Questions: Are you in a second marriage, did you have children from the first? What happens when your spouse has children that you’ve grown fond of? How do you treat children from a prior marriage versus the children in a current … [Read more...] about Common Questions Regarding Trusts and Second Marriages
2016 Estate & Estate Tax Planning
Written by Greg Reese, President / CEO AmeriEstate Legal Plan, Inc. Question: How much is the allowable gift and estate tax lifetime exemption amount for 2016? Answer: the 2016 gift and estate tax lifetime exemption for 2016 will increase from $5,340,000 in 2015 to $5,450,000 per individual (or $10,900,000 for a married couple). Question: What is meant by the “exemption … [Read more...] about 2016 Estate & Estate Tax Planning
