Estate Planning

High net worth families should be quite concerned about the federal estate tax. This tax can alter the trajectory of your family's financial future, because it carries a very hefty 40 percent maximum rate. There is a federal estate tax credit or exclusion. This is the amount that can be transferred tax-free to people other than your spouse. For the rest of 2016, the estate tax exclusion stands at $5.45 million. There are annual adjustments to account for inflation, so the exclusion is … [Read more...] about Estate Planning, Taxation, and Your Home

There are different types of asset transfer vehicles that you can use when you are planning your estate. You can choose to use a simple will to state your final wishes, but you do have other options. Why would you want to consider an alternative to a simple will? Let's begin by answering this question. The Drawbacks of Probate Let's say that you maintain personal possession of your property throughout your life. You create a last will expressing your final wishes with regard to the … [Read more...] about A “Simple Will” May Not Be as Simple as You Think

When you are engaged in your estate planning efforts, you should sit back and evaluate the people who would have an interest in your estate. If you keep your head in the sand and assume that everything will fall into place after you are gone, difficulties can arise when everything is being sorted out. Many people assume that a last will is the right estate planning document if you are not a very wealthy person. When you create a will, you name an executor. This is the person who handles the … [Read more...] about Contesting a Will: What Are the Acceptable Grounds?

There are numerous different specific types of trusts that are used in the field of estate planning. You have the opportunity to “use the right tool for the right job” as it were, because you have options. From a very general perspective, there are two general classes of trust, and there are different variations that sit under these designations. These two classes would be irrevocable trusts, and revocable trusts. First, let's look at revocable living trusts. Creating a Trust That Is … [Read more...] about Are You Thinking About Creating a Trust?

Estate planning is an area of the law that the average person knows very little about; yet, estate planning is also something that is very important to the average person. Not surprisingly, this disconnect creates problems. Surveys tell us that despite understanding the importance of having an estate plan in place, over half of all Americans do not have one. One of the most common reasons people give for not yet sitting down and creating an estate plan is the simple fact that the concept of … [Read more...] about Los Angeles Estate Planning Attorney Answers 5 Common Questions

You should gain an understanding of the estate administration process when you are devising your estate plan. There are certain tasks that must be completed to bring your final wishes to fruition, so there is a human element that is an important part of the equation. If you are like most people, you want your heirs to receive their inheritances in a timely manner after you are gone. Though a last will can seem like the simplest and most efficient asset transfer device to utilize, there is a … [Read more...] about The Revocable Living Trust: Versatile, Efficient and Effective

Before we explain the value of planning ahead with trust administration in mind, we should provide some background information so that you understand why you may want to use a trust when you are planning your estate. There are numerous different types of trusts used in the field of estate planning, and they provide varied advantages. Let's look at the facts. Estate Tax Efficiency The federal estate tax is a very big factor for people who have been able to accumulate a great deal of wealth. … [Read more...] about Address Trust Administration at Point Zero

For many people, life insurance plays an important role in their estate plan. In fact, life insurance often serves several roles in a comprehensive estate plan. Each year, National Life Insurance Month is celebrated in September in the United States, making now an opportune time for you to review your life insurance needs and update your current estate plan. Taking the Mystery Out of Life Insurance Options A life insurance policy can help to accomplish a number of different goals within your … [Read more...] about September Is National Life Insurance Month — A Great Time to Update Your Estate Plan

The federal estate tax is a looming threat for people who have been able to accumulate significant wealth. If you are exposed to the estate tax, a qualified personal residence trust could help you gain estate tax efficiency. Before we provide an explanation, we should look at the federal transfer tax parameters so that you can determine the extent of your liability. Federal Estate Tax There is a federal estate tax credit or exclusion. This is the amount that you can transfer to others … [Read more...] about The Federal Estate Tax: Take Steps to Reduce Your Exposure

People often have misconceptions about living trusts. When you speak with a living trust attorney, you can come away with a clear picture. In this post, we will share some basic information a living trust attorney would provide for a typical client, with an emphasis on asset protection. Protecting Resources A revocable living trust is a very versatile and useful estate planning tool. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be enormously wealthy to benefit from a revocable living … [Read more...] about A Living Trust Attorney Can Provide Answers