Questions & Answers When Looking for an Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Attorney May is national elder law month. Below is an excerpt from a guide published by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), of which I have been a member since 2003. What Is Elder Law and Special Needs Planning? It…
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Common Misconceptions about Living Trusts People often hear things about living trusts from friends, family members and the media, and just assume they are true without taking the time to check them out. Here are some common misconceptions—and the facts. 1. A living trust is expensive. A well-drafted living trust will have a higher initial cost than…
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The benefits of using an irrevocable asset protection trust for long-term care planning Last week we discussed the continuing rise in long-term care costs and how long-term care insurance may be able to help make long-term care more affordable. This week we’ll focus on the estate planning strategy that employs an irrevocable asset protection trust.…
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The cost of long-term care continues to rise Many people are shocked when they learn about the high cost of long-term care. Unfortunately, the cost will only get more expensive over time. A 2016 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that long-term care costs will more than double by 2047. So how expensive is long-term care? According…
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Effects of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) on Estate Planning The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was passed on January 1, 2018, may have an impact on your existing estate plan. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the most significant overhaul of the tax code since 1986. Although it was meant…
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Estate Planning 101 At its most basic, an estate plan is your plan to control your assets during life and to direct distribution of your assets at your death. There are three main focuses to an adequate estate plan: 1) ensuring your assets are sufficient and properly used for your support during life; 2) ensuring…
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Pros and cons of taking Social Security at 62 Last week’s blog explored the 10 reasons why today’s retirees are relying so heavily on Social Security. Today we will explore the pros and cons of taking Social Security at age 62. Today’s topic comes from an article authored by Christy Bieber for The Motley Fool.…
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10 Reasons Today’s Retirees are Relying on Social Security This is the first of two-blog post that will focus on Social Security and retirement. Today’s topic is the 10 reasons today’s retirees are relying on Social Security, and comes from an article authored by Andrew Lisa which can be found on GOBankingrates.com A recent GOBankingRates survey…
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Two provisions under the new tax law positively affect ABLE accounts The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes two provisions that boost Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts for those with disabilities. These are the ABLE Financial Planning Act and the ABLE to Work Act. The primary goal of the ABLE account legislation is…
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Refinancing your principal residence when owned by your revocable living trust We occasionally get calls from clients who are trying to refinance their house which has been placed in their revocable living trust. Most often it is because their mortgage lender wants them to supply assurances that, if the living trust owns the house, the trust…
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