Why Estate Planning Is a Woman's Issue

In a nation consumed with wealth-building, it's easy to forget that earning money is only half the financial security battle. Equally important is protecting our hard-won financial security with a well-designed estate plan. For women, the importance of planning is paramount, because most often women must cope when loved ones become disabled or die.

Sometimes a Conservator can be a Good Thing!

The thought of having a conservator appointed for a parent or relative - even a friend or neighbor - is something we all seem to loath. It has all sorts of negative connotations, including the fact that a conserved individual will be paraded through the probate courts with psychiatric and medical evaluations open for all to see. But, most of all, it's the loss of dignity that results when the state declares an individual incapable - and takes away his or her right to vote, or marry, or divorce, or write a check, or pay a bill, or make any other meaningful decisions. It's a position that no one wants to come to in this life.

Ira Trusts: What's All The Hype About

A recent new development in estate planning is helping thousands of affluent people across the country with IRAs over 100,000 transcend estate tax and income tax. It keeps your beneficiaries from blowing all of the money you’ve worked so hard for.

Durable Powers of Attorney

One of our greatest frustrations as elder law attorneys is not being able to help families implement strategies that would qualify their loved one for Medicaid and protect family assets because a power of attorney is insufficient to allow us to do what we need to do. Therefore, we thought it would be beneficial to address durable powers of attorney in this issue.

Estate Planning in Light of a Remarriage - Ensuring the Care of Your Children

The staggering amount of divorces that occur in today’s society is all too well known. Depending upon the circumstances that lead to the break-up of any marriage, one may think that getting into another such arrangement would be out of the question. However, this is not always the case. In fact, the Stepfamily Association of America reports that about 43% of all marriages are remarriages for at least one of the adults, and of these, about 65% involve children from a prior marriage.

Asset Protection In Relation To Medicaid And Bankruptcy

Advocating the proper asset protection measure is of crucial importance.

Children, Guardianships and Wills: Estate Planning for Young Families

Consider this scenario: Both you and your spouse are young with two small children. You don't make much; in fact, you might be just scraping by. Even then, you need a will.

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.

Asset Protection Trust

About asset protection as trust; Define Grantor.

Revocable Trust (Revocable Living Trust) vs. Irrevocable Trusts

Explain major differences between revocable vs. irrevocable trusts. About the benefits of a revocable trust (revocable living trust) vs. benefits of an irrevocable trust.

The Estate Plan Of Anna Nicole Smith - Lessons For All Of Us

The best time to engage in estate planning is when we are healthy. The example of Anna Nicole Smith and her estate plan is an instructive lesson on how not to handle your own estate planning issues.

What Is Good Asset Protection? Part 1

Part 1: Steps to good asset protection and wealth preservation. Know these facts of asset protection. Discusses what assets to protect and consider, domestic asset protection and foreign or offshore asset protection strategies and platforms. From Grantor Trust and Non-Grantor Trust to Foreign Asset Protection Trust (FAPT) and International Business Company (IBC). How to avoid fraudulent conveyance?

Would You Want EVERYONE To Be Able To Read Your Will?

Your will - showing everything you've accumulated throughout your life - is public record! Anyone, even your enemies can read it! This article shows you how to keep your estate private.

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.