Estate Planning Lawyer Blog ⎮ Katzner Law Group, PC

The Lifetime QTIP Trust: Manage Your Estate and Protect Your Relationship with your Second Spouse.

Gabriel Katzner - March 30, 2020 - Estate Planning

Estate planning for couples with disproportionate assets who are married for the second or third time can be tricky. One solution—the Lifetime QTIP Trust—allows the well-to-do spouse to maintain control of their property and wealth, but also protect and provide for the other spouse. Creating a Lifetime QTIP Trust A “QTIP Trust” (qualified […]

Protect Your Special Needs Beneficiaries

Gabriel Katzner - March 27, 2020 - Estate Planning

From the moment of their birth, we all make plans to ensure that our children and grandchildren have a bright future. What will the child’s interests be? What job will they have? Who will they marry? And for a special needs child or grandchild, how can we make sure they have a safe, happy, and […]

Ancillary Probate: What it is and How to Avoid It

Gabriel Katzner - March 23, 2020 - Estate Planning

If you own property in more than one state, for example, a vacation home or a car titled in a state outside the one where you live, you’ll need to factor that property into your estate plan. This kind of ownership may necessitate an additional probate proceeding called ancillary probate. With the right estate planning […]

Importance of Properly Revoking Powers of Attorney

Gabriel Katzner - March 17, 2020 - Estate Planning

It’s a good idea to keep all of your estate planning documents updated, but your financial power of attorney is one document that should be reexamined more frequently than others. Revisiting your financial power of attorney will help ensure that the agent you’ve appointed is still the person you’d want managing your affairs if you […]

Owning Real Estate

Gabriel Katzner - March 9, 2020 - Estate Planning

Real estate can refer to your primary residence, but it can also include a vacation home or rental property. Below, we take a look at the different types of real estate and make suggestions about the best form of ownership for each. Primary Residence A primary residence receives special tax treatment, so you’ll need to […]

Real Estate: Your Title Matters

Gabriel Katzner - March 2, 2020 - Estate Planning

Real estate can take on different forms of ownership, and understanding how your real estate is owned, or “titled,” can help you determine how much control you have over your asset. You can better understand how susceptible your property is to creditors, and what will happen to it upon your death. Below are some of […]

California LGBT Estate Planning Attorney

Estate Planning Considerations for LGBTQ Couples

Gabriel Katzner - February 17, 2020 - Estate Planning

Regardless of your age, race, gender, or sexual orientation, properly protecting your future and your loved ones will require a plan. If you are an LGBTQ couple, you’ll need to factor some specific details into your estate plan. Each couple is unique, and you’ll want to ensure that your wishes are carried out and that […]

Your Agent Under a Medical Power of Attorney Should Know

Gabriel Katzner - February 10, 2020 - Estate Planning

Your current health may be excellent, but the future is unknown, and you may suddenly become hurt, sick, or unable to make healthcare decisions for yourself. If you’re unconscious after an accident, for example, you’ll need someone to make those decisions for you. A medical power of attorney allows you to name a trusted person […]

How Strong Is a Handwritten Will?

Gabriel Katzner - February 4, 2020 - Wills

When Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018, her family and lawyer initially thought she had died without a will. But earlier this year, three handwritten wills were found in Franklin’s home in Detroit. Two from 2010 were locked in a cabinet and one from 2014 was found hidden under a couch cushion. Franklin’s attorney filed […]

A New Year Means a New Estate Plan

Gabriel Katzner - January 21, 2020 - Estate Planning

Welcome to 2020! A new year is a time for optimism and new opportunities. It’s time to start fresh! But making New Year’s resolutions is not enough; you’ll also need to take action to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared for anything the future might bring. Create a New Estate Plan in […]

Estate Planning Blog