Downs Law Firm, P.C.
Estate planning isn’t about focusing on your demise; it’s about taking control and making decisions that ensure that your loved ones are cared for.
Everyone needs an estate plan, and when you understand what a trust does, your plan should probably include one, at least conditionally.
Between 1% and 3% of wills are contested in the United States each year, research shows.
You need an answer to the critical question of “Who raises your child?”: it’s a paramount parental duty. An imperfect plan would be far better than none at all.
Helping grandchildren financially can be rewarding. However, avoiding common mistakes ensures that your generosity doesn’t harm your finances or family relationships.
While this proposal is still subject to legislative approval, if enacted, it would expand the number of estates subject to Maryland estate tax, potentially increasing the tax burden on families and heirs. If your assets exceed $2 million, now is the time to reassess your estate plan and consider tax-saving strategies.
The older I get, the older I think someone should be before they are mature enough to handle money. I used to say 25 was the right age. Now it’s 30 to 35.
Serving as an executor is a significant responsibility that requires careful attention to legal, financial and administrative details to ensure a smooth probate process.
There are some common estate planning myths that you know: Your work isn’t done just because you have a will. There are many myths floating around about wills, trusts, and estate planning. Those myths can easily confuse people who haven’t taken the time to bust them before getting on to the real work … taking care of the family, according to the Cleveland Jewish News in “Estate planning myths common, but debunkable.” One common myth is that a trust is wholly creditor-protected. While some trusts achieve this goal, many don’t. It is easier to provide that to your beneficiaries than to yourself. Another myth is that once an estate plan is completed, there’s no need to revisit or make changes. We look at the planning you put in place as an ongoing rough draft. Perhaps the biggest myth around estate plans is that they are only needed by wealthy people. Everyone needs a will. A property power of attorney can save your loved ones thousands of dollars and massive aggravation. People chat with their friends and neighbors and pick up snippets of often incorrect information. As with any story, once a piece of information has moved through a few different people, it becomes confusing, even if it started accurately. The value of such “Street lawyers” is usually what you pay for it. Unless it comes from an estate planning attorney, don’t get legal advice at a neighborhood or family gathering. The results can be disastrous. If you think having a trust alone is enough to prevent your heirs from having to pay any taxes, your kids will be in for a big and expensive mistake. The court will appoint a guardian if you don’t set up guardianship for your minor children. It may be a person you would never have wanted to raise your children. If a separate financial trustee is not named, there won’t be any checks and balances on how the money left for your children is spent. If you don’t have an estate plan, especially if your family includes minor children, make an appointment to speak with an estate planning attorney who can advise you on an estate plan that fits your unique circumstances. Reference: Cleveland Jewish News (Sep. 20, 2018) “Estate planning myths common, but debunkable”
Navigating the process of managing a parent’s estate requires understanding your legal responsibilities and the steps to settle their affairs.
Copyright © IMS. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. Some artwork provided under license agreement.
