Most people who are relatively young, do not have a great deal of wealth or do not have children may be under the impression that they can avoid the estate planning process in total. This could end up being a big mistake, however, if something were to happen to you. Don't take the short-term view[...]
Planning ahead for the future is just as much about making sure that you follow through on all of the plans and strategies you have articulated with your attorney as it is having the mindset to get them accomplished in the first place. Trying to manage this on your own could become overwhelming, but[...]
[caption id="attachment_5433" align="alignleft" width="308"] Mark Metzger & Mark Merenda (1950-2017) on the streets of San Francisco[/caption] It started as a ruse. I was a young lawyer, with a young practice (read: poor), and I had no money to hire him and his company to help me market my law firm. I did, however, have enough[...]
Many individuals in America are notoriously interested in avoiding talking about estate planning. A new study revealed that in 2015, while up to 70% of Americans have said they considered writing a will, just over 30% will actually follow through on that process. A further 95% of individuals in the United States admitted that[...]
An inter-generational transfer of wealth can be extremely complicated and it can be risky for everyone involved. Without proper planning, passing on a large amount of wealth could generate tax and other financial consequences for those receiving the benefits and those passing them on. It is expected that in the next forty years, nearly[...]
Estate planning is even more important when you are a single parent because you have primary concerns about your minor children. The general estate planning concerns for minor children of a single parent is similar to the estate planning process for those families that have two parents. There are several critical questions that you[...]
Appropriate estate planning is important for anyone regardless of the size of your estate. However, as you get older your priorities will shift and your situation may change, meaning that estate planning could become an even more important consideration. At a bare minimum, if you own property you need to be aware of planning for[...]
In the event that someone you have selected to serve as your child's guardian may not be an appropriate money manager, you may wish to establish a trust to manage the child's assets. Even in the situation in which a guardian may not be a poor money manager, you may wish to establish a[...]
Selecting someone to serve as your power of attorney agent is an important consideration and one that should only be made after a consultation with your estate planning attorney and a conversation with the individual you intend to name in this role. One of the primary duties of a fiduciary or agent who is managing[...]
It can be a tricky question to determine whether or not it is appropriate to let your loved ones know what is inside your estate plan. A surprise after you pass away could be unpleasant for everyone involved, but it’s a balancing act to determine the right amount of information that should be passed[...]