Category Archives: Estate Planning
Life insurance can be a powerful estate planning tool for nontaxable estates
For years, life insurance has played a critical role in estate planning, providing a source of liquidity to pay estate taxes and other expenses. Today, the gift and estate tax exemption has climbed to $11.4 million, so estate taxes are no longer a concern for the vast majority of families. But even for nontaxable estates,… Read More »
Protecting Your Estate in a Disaster
Often we think of the assets of our estate only in terms of what will happen after we die. But, a sudden tragedy or disaster could throw a wrench in your plans. Just like you would store first aid, batteries, and flashlights away for a potential storm, you should also be putting certain documents,… Read More »
Companion piece: Create a “road map” for your estate plan
No matter how much effort you’ve invested in designing your estate plan, your will, trusts and other official documents may not be enough. Consider creating a “road map” — an informal letter or other document that guides your family in understanding and executing your plan and ensuring that your wishes are carried out. Navigating… Read More »
How To Minimize Family Conflict In Your Estate Plan
There is a lot to worry about when it comes to estate planning: taxes, distribution, charitable giving, documentation, etc. But, a survey conducted last year by TD Wealth shows those issues aren’t really at the forefront of everyone’s mind. The biggest issue for many, believe it or not, is family conflict. The survey found… Read More »
Moving a trust over state lines can offer tax savings and other benefits
People who live in states with high income taxes sometimes relocate to a state with a more favorable tax climate. A similar strategy can be available for trusts. If a trust is subject to high state income taxes, you may be able to change its residence — or “situs” — to a state with… Read More »
The Top 5 Things Your Estate Planning Attorney Should Do For You
It may seem like there is a never-ending list of documents and accounts needed to create a comprehensive and fulfilling estate for your loved ones. Many people choose to go the route of “DIY” or do-it-yourself estate planning, which is more cost-efficient but may lead you to leave out important aspects of your estate… Read More »
No, it’s not unusual to include your pet in your estate plan
An unexpected outcome of the recent death of designer Karl Lagerfeld is that the topic of estate planning for pets has been highlighted. Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette, played a major role in his brand. The feline was the subject of a coffee table book and has a large Instagram following. Before his death, Lagerfeld… Read More »
How Premarital Agreements Affect Estate Planning
While marriage stands for the promise of spending the rest of your life with your partner, there is the unfortunate reality that half of all marriages end in divorce. Living in Florida increases those odds, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports it has the seventh-highest divorce rate in the nation. On… Read More »
What you need to know about filing gift and estate tax returns
Have you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members? Or are you the executor of the estate of a loved one who died recently? If so, you need to know whether you must file a gift or estate tax return. Filing a gift tax return Generally, a federal gift tax return (Form 709)… Read More »
Disinheriting Your Family: Is It Possible in Florida?
The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors. Regardless of your reasoning, Florida allows you to have control over what you want to do with your money…some of the time. If you are thinking about disinheriting a member of your family in your will, it’s best to get the help from… Read More »