You have searched for and found your true love, and as you have built your life together, you’ve weathered storms and grown stronger because of them. To prepare for a future in which you may no longer be there for your spouse, you must plan now. As part of a married couple, you have certain […]
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In the U.S., it’s somewhat easy to disinherit family members like siblings, children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren if you’re inclined. But it’s not easy to disinherit your spouse. In most states and the District of Columbia, you can’t intentionally disinherit your spouse unless your spouse agrees to receive nothing from your estate via a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. […]
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If you are a parent, you love to help your children and leaving them an inheritance is a tangible way to show your love after you are gone. There are a variety of ways that you can do this, and you should choose the method that best takes your goals, including their wellbeing, into account. […]
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The judge has recently signed your divorce decree. Now what? Although you may be tired of spending time and money on lawyers, you’ll still need to talk to an estate planning attorney. If you and your former spouse shared estate planning in the past, you’ll now need to make changes to avoid having your money […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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