Who Should I Choose as my Personal Representative or Trustee? This is a fundamental decision to be made with estate planning, but there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Most people will choose their spouse as the personal representative (this is the term used in Montana for an executor) of their estate or trustee of their trust.…
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What if I Want to Leave Property to a Minor? Many of our clients want to leave property to kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews who are not yet 18 years old. The concern is that minors can’t own property – you can’t put a child on a deed to a house. This is no problem!…
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Charity Partner of the Year: Great Falls Rescue Mission Each year, Montana Estate Lawyers selects a local charity to partner with. We have had great partnerships in the past and have done rewarding volunteer work, including with Special Olympics Montana and Meals on Wheels. This year, our firm has partnered with the Great Falls Rescue…
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Handshake Agreements Cause Problems Practicing law in Montana, I see handshake agreements all the time. An attorney in New York City would be used to detailed and complex written contracts, but we do things differently out here. For everything from employment to equipment rentals to grazing land leasing, handshake agreements are common. Montanans are good…
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New Laws Impacting Your Trust Funding Whether you created your revocable living trust this year or during the Nixon administration, laws are constantly changing, and it is a good idea to revisit your assets. The following are a few potential changes that our clients should consider discussing with our trust funding team. Contingent Beneficiaries on…
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Don’t Keep it a Secret – Share Your Estate Plan With Your Loved Ones. Many clients have a natural desire to keep all of their affairs private. I get it. I don’t want anyone in my business either. But, when it comes to your estate plan, that is not a good idea. Do you know…
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Be on the Lookout for New Scams – They Might Be Targeting You Be on the Lookout for New Scams Targeting Seniors Last year, the FBI warned that fraud crimes targeting senior citizens are rising drastically and getting more advanced. An estimated $28.3 billion is lost to elder fraud scams each year, and that number…
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What Legal Steps Should I Take Before a Major Procedure? What Legal Steps Should I Take Before a Major Procedure? When you discuss a major procedure with your doctor, it can get you thinking about what will happen if something goes wrong. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and having the following…
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New Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Obligations for Small Business Owners The Corporate Transparency Act was established by Congress for the purpose of cracking down on “front” companies used for organized crime. The Act, and its reporting requirements, will be operated and regulated through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The FinCEN Small Entity Compliance Guide…
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Giving to Charity Estate planning with a team-based approach Several years ago, I enjoyed reading the book, “The Boys in the Boat,” by Daniel James Brown. Recently, I saw the movie adaptation which was directed and co-produced by George Clooney. It is the story of the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team that won the…
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