Life doesn’t stand still, either abstractly or concerning estate matters.
Special needs trusts, pt. 2: putting the right tools in place
In our post last week, we discussed the acceptance phase when you first learn a child or grandchild has special needs. This post is a reminder on the various tools – both old and new – available to ensure financial resources are in place without affecting government benefit eligibility.
Special needs trusts, pt 1: realizing your child needs extra care
For a parent or grandparent, the realization that your child or grandchild has special needs can be difficult to accept.
A pet care trust protects a trusty companion
Planning for a pet can be overlooked in the estate planning process. Here is a question though: Do you know who would care for your dog, cat, horse or other beloved animal? Would this person have the resources to pay for associated costs of care?
When a diagnosis changes hope for a child's future
What is behind a teenager's sudden refusal to go to school or the unusually "silly" behavior of a pre-schooler? A diagnosis "on the spectrum" at any age often raises more questions than answers. A hoped-for future may start to look different.
Death tax on life insurance benefits
Life insurance plays a vital role in many estate plans. It provides salary replacement for a family if a heart attack or tragic car accident takes the life of a breadwinner. These policies may also be a part of a business or ranch/farm succession plan.
Part III: Transferring property to a trust
In our series on trust basics, we have talked about formation documents as well as the different types of trusts and their purposes. Once you have completed all the up-front work and have a trust, you must fund it.
Part II. Types of trusts: What’s in a name?
The names of various trusts may sound like another language. Others may make you feel like you are lost in acronym soup, CRT, ILIT or a TSNT.
Trust formation basics: Part I
Some of the misperceptions about trusts are that they are too burdensome or expensive. In many situations they provide a cost-effective vehicle to plan for the needs of a surviving spouse and smoothly transfer assets to the next generation.
Dual income, no kids: 3 Estate plan essentials
Families have changed since the 1950s when the dream included a stay-at-home spouse and two or three children. Fast forward to 2017 and more variety exists in the shape and size of an ideal family.
