Some Simple Strategies For Protecting Your Assets

There are many small steps to take that will add up to big savings in the end. If you value the assets you have accumulated, or if you feel you should be accumulating more, take this advice and make some minor changes.

Sometimes a Conservator can be a Good Thing!

The thought of having a conservator appointed for a parent or relative - even a friend or neighbor - is something we all seem to loath. It has all sorts of negative connotations, including the fact that a conserved individual will be paraded through the probate courts with psychiatric and medical evaluations open for all to see. But, most of all, it's the loss of dignity that results when the state declares an individual incapable - and takes away his or her right to vote, or marry, or divorce, or write a check, or pay a bill, or make any other meaningful decisions. It's a position that no one wants to come to in this life.

Beneficiary Controlled Trust Fact Sheet

As middle class estates get larger, and the divorce rate grows, more and more financial planners are utilizing beneficiary controlled trusts to pass inheritance on to future generations without loss to the beneficiary's creditors, ex-spouses, or even the IRS.

Three Advantages a Roth IRA May Offer Your Estate Plan

Many may not consider the possibilities that a Roth IRA can offer an estate plan. But, there are three advantages that a Roth IRA can offer if your estate value is under the Applicable Exclusion Amount ($1.5 million in 2005, and $2 million in years 2006 & 2007) and if one of your planning goals is to leave as much money as possible to your heirs.

Estate Plans and Trusts Discussed

We all know that we need to have our lives in order in the event of our demise because our families are so important to us. As the Death Tax slowing dies over the next many years, it behooves all of us to have estate plans and trusts set up to shield our assets from legal liabilities which can pop-up out of nowhere and also to pay the least amount of taxes to the government after we die.

Estate Planning - Undue Influence

Over views common means of contesting a will such as undue influence, lack of capacity, psychological domination and/or degenerated mental state.

Estate Planning - Rules and Trustees

Reviews problems associated with forming a trust such as deciding the powers which the trustee(s) have and do not have relative to the assets placed into a trust.

Estate Planning - Intent to Disinherit or Oversight?

Over views incomplete estate planning and some laws that are in place to remedy the situation of overlooked heirs as opposed to those specifically disinherited.

Estate Planning - The Life Estate

Over views why the life estate is falling out of use but why it is still relevant for an estate planner.

Putting your Estate in Order

Put Your Estate in Order For business owners, an effective estate plan addresses a number of concerns over and above the desire to care for surviving family members. Control over who will run the business, conservation of the owner's assets in the face of legal expenses and taxes, and the liquidity to pay estate taxes due shortly after death are just some of the most pressing issues.

Estate Planning and Your Pets

You have diligently outlined what should become of your children in the event of your death or disability. You’ve planned your estate, appointed guardians and possibly even shared your estate plan with family members and trusted caretakers. But doesn’t something feel as if it’s missing? Perhaps you need to plan provisions for what should become of your pets once you are no longer able to care for them.

Estate Planning – The Most Common Mistakes

Compiled is a list of some of the most common mistakes individuals make in estate planning. Please review the list, but also plan to meet with a qualified attorney to review your unique estate.

The Contingency Lawyer Wants Your Assets!

On why asset protection is vital to protect your assets from opportunists aided by contingency lawyers.