Currently viewing the tag: "wills and trusts"

Defining Your Wishes

November 7, 2011 by admin

In the day-to-day living of our lives, we make many decisions which we typically take for granted.  We have freedom regarding how and where we want to live, and we assume we will always have that freedom.  We can choose what medical care we might want, and we also have the ability to refuse certain […]

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On Steve Jobs, Day 1

October 13, 2011 by admin

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: you want to avoid probate at all costs.  Another thing I repeatedly say: the silly attorney joke, “Where there’s a will, there’s probate.” In other words, the only way you’ll protect yourself—and more importantly, those you love—from enduring the time consuming, difficult, emotional, and […]

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The “Innocent” Disclaimer That Killed An Estate Plan

July 25, 2011 by admin

  Back in 2001 when Mr. Schaffer executed his estate plan, language was added which allowed for a creation of a “pecuniary credit shelter trust” equal to the amount of the “aggregate federal estate tax exemption equivalent.”  Schaffer’s estate plan language went on to state that it provided that the credit shelter trust “shall not be reduced on […]

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More Mind Over Money

July 12, 2011 by admin

The scope of estate planning is so much more than just wills and trusts; in my opinion it has to do with money issues and a host more, including leaving a legacy, caring for your family, and ensuring your values and beliefs endure beyond your own personal lifetime. It’s to that end that I bring […]

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Little Mistakes That Can Become Big Problems For Your Estate Plan

May 23, 2011 by admin

You’ve heard me say it time and time again; when it comes to protecting your family’s future, creating an estate plan is one of the best steps you can take.  Putting in place an estate plan is your access to ensuring that your family will be taken care of in your absence in the way […]

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What’s All The Fuss About Dynasty Trusts? Part VI

April 8, 2011 by admin

When one is seeking to create a dynasty trust, generally that individual is a future-looking in nature. They are looking past their children to their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and beyond.  A person’s potential ability to cause a lasting and positive impact beyond their lifetime alone is very attractive prospect. The dynasty trust is an option that […]

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What’s All The Fuss About Dynasty Trusts? Part V

April 6, 2011 by admin

For the past several days I’ve been covering generation-skipping transfer trusts, which are also known by the name ‘dynasty trusts.’  Today’s posting will address how you may take advantage of this technique in your financial planning. When clients or potential clients first meet with us one of the things they most often ask is how […]

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What’s All The Fuss About Dynasty Trusts? Part IV

April 5, 2011 by admin

For the past several days I’ve been covering generation-skipping transfer trusts, which are also known by the name ‘dynasty trusts.’  Today’s posting will cover the real reason the dynasty trusts got their name in the first place! While this may be a “Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?” question, why do you think that dynasty […]

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What’s All The Fuss About Dynasty Trusts? Part III

April 4, 2011 by admin

For the past few days we’ve been posting a series about generation-skipping transfer trusts, which are also known by the name ‘dynasty trusts.’ Today’s posting begins with the most important thing to know regarding estate planning: estate planning is really not a do-it-yourself proposition.  Although there are many free wills and other legal documents you […]

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What’s All The Fuss About Dynasty Trusts?

April 1, 2011 by admin

Many clients and potential clients raise a similar question; they want to know about the so-called “dynasty trusts” they’ve been hearing so much about.  Rather than leaving you to your own devices, I thought I’d cover them in depth over the next few postings. A dynasty trust, also known as a generation-skipping transfer trust provides […]

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