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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Giving to Charity Giving to Charity We are all blessed to live in a giving community. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving on several non-profit boards in Great Falls, including Community Help Line, Children’s Museum of Montana, Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, Great Falls Public Schools Foundation, and…
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The Value of Using Irrevocable Trusts in Medicaid Planning People often wonder about the value of using irrevocable trusts in Medicaid planning. Certainly, gifting of assets can be done outright, not involving an irrevocable trust. Outright gifts have the advantages of being simple to do with minimal costs involved, including the cost of preparing and…
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Planning Checklist For Those Assisting Elderly Family Members I gave a presentation a few years ago at a local assisted living facility. The topic was powers of attorney and guardianships and conservatorships. Half of the attendees were children of residents at the assisted living facility. Based on the questions that they asked me; it was…
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