Setting Up a Special Needs Trust for a Disabled Relative

Many of us have a family member or close relative with a disability. We'd like to leave a portion of our estate to help this family member but are unsure how best to do this. Should we just make an outright gift? What about a trust? This article takes a look at some of the options.

Medicaid and the Living Trust

Living Trusts are widely advertised in seminars on estate planning. But can they be used if you may have to apply for Medicaid? This article discusses some of the pitfalls.

How the Rich Hide Their Assets

How rich hide their assets. The Rich diversify assets. Hide assets w/ independent trustees, irrevocable trusts, foreign LLC, International Business Company, Corporations Chapter C or Subchapter S Corporations.

Estate Planning and Trusts

What are estate planning and trusts? What are the differences between federal death (estate) taxes and state probate and death taxes? Explains the relationships of property, insurance, pensions and IRAs and estate taxes.

Why a Will is Not Enough to Save Anna Nicole Smith's Baby Daughter?

The assignment of choosing a guardian for your minor children is the most important aspect of having a will. A will also assigns an executor. A will doesn't protect your assets nor avoid the probate. A trust - revocable or irrevocable - needs to be considered. What's the distinction between a revocable trust and irrevocable trust?

What Would Happen If You Got Sued? Can't Happen To You? Think Again! You Need Asset Protection

Sadly this could happen to you: The doorbell rings and a courier arrives with a package for you to sign. What could it be? A gift from someone? You sign and open the box to find you have been served. The mailman tripped and hit his head which led to a stroke. His family is now suing you for 18 million dollars. Your home insurance policy only covers personal injury up to 7 million. Your in big trouble. What started out as a great day has now become the beginning of a nightmare. Your assets including your home are at risk. Sadly this coiuld havppen to you. It happens thousands of times each day! Courts are filled with these types of cases every day. I personally know the head of a large law firm that only handles these type of cases. Its a big business. Now here's the kicker: These lawyers work on comission. The party filing the lawsuit pays nothing and the lawyers are like hungry dogs. Nipping and knawing at you. Dragging you into court for this and that. All the time you have to pay a lawyer ungodly sums of money to just defend yourself. The nightmare doesn't seem to end. Then when they have you sweating they start the settlement proceedings. All the time you are paying your lawyer. If if you win, you loose! Do you risk loosing everything or do you settle?

Estate Planning and the Enduring Power Of Attorney - Changes Imminent

It can be hard to imagine that you may not be able to look after yourself at some point in the future. As most of us are only too aware though, the chances of this situation arising is likely. But who will look after your financial affairs? And how will it all work, especially if your situation deteriorates quickly? Let's look at the options available to you-

Beneficiary of a Trust

What is a beneficiary of a trust? Describes basic categories of the exercises of the beneficiaries' rights, two main categories of sequential interests of a beneficiary, the two beneficiaries from the trustees perspective. How the beneficiary relates the to the trust contract? Defines bare trust, express trust, tenant for life, remainderman, fixed beneficiaries, discretionary beneficiaries, simple trust, will trust, testamentary trust, inter vivos trust.

Selecting a Good Trustee - Factors to Consider When Choosing a Trustee

How to select or choose a good trustee. What are the factors to consider when choosing a trustee? Who are some bad trustees? Consequences when the grantor names himself trustee. Co-trustees and trust protectors can ease responsibilities. Mentions testamentary trust, testor, settler, trustor, grantor, inter vivos trust, corporate trustees, trust companies, bank trustees and family members, accountants and lawyers as trustees.

How the Advanced HealthCare Directive Makes Life-Saving Decisions

What is an Advanced Medical Directive in controlling your medical care? The Advanced Medical Directive is a legal written instrument to consent or refuse any medical treatment, make decisions not to resuscitate, select healthcare providers, apply for Medicaid, appoint an Agent to be guardian, provide for disposition of body and funeral arrangements.

Estate - How To Legally Avoid Taxes On Gifts And Inheritances - Part 2

Last week I explained in theory how you can legally avoid paying taxes on gifts and inheritances. Avoiding taxes on gifts and inheritances is based on cost-basis. To help you apply this to your situation, I want to share some real-life examples of how my clients use these principles to legally avoid paying taxes on gifts and inheritances.

What Is An Estate Plan?

There are many misunderstandings about Estate Plans and who should have them. Many people think that an estate means a large tract of land and great wealth and extensive personal property that is very valuable, such as vintage antiques and collectibles.

Heirloom Antiques for the Comfort of Being Home

When you purchase a hand made or antique item today you are buying character and quality that adds to the beauty, comfort and gives you the feeling of being grounded, provides a conversation starter, and sense of being home. Leaving this item to your heirs becomes part of your legacy and intersects their history with yours, and provides a deeper connectedness and sense of home. Some advice on purchasing quality antique or art items that will add to your legacy.

Smart Estate Planning Strategies for Average Joe

Lots of people out there, especially the average Joes, don't think twice about estate planning because they aren't worth that much anyway. However, everyone, and that includes Average Joe's, should know a little something about estate planning.