Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. This is the first in a three-part series on the taxation of trusts. The first part reviews how a trust can be “substantially owned” by someone, i.e., what is commonly known among Estate Planning or Trusts & Estates attorneys as a “grantor trust.” It will also look at the advantages of using a grantor trust. The second article in the series will examine the … [Read more...] about Advantages of Using a “Grantor Trust” in Planning
Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Occasionally, those who aren’t Estate Planning attorneys will attempt to do their own Estate Planning. They think they can find a document online or use a friend’s document and can figure it out. Unfortunately, there are many pitfalls one could run across. Let’s look at three of these pitfalls which one must sidestep. Bill and Mary had a house worth $500,000, an … [Read more...] about Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Estate Planning Conference Discusses “For the 99.5% Act,” SECURE, and More
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. The Heckerling conference in Estate Planning is the country’s largest professional gathering in Estate Planning. The conference examines many areas of interest to Estate Planning and Elder Law professionals. It pays particular attention to items of current interest. Last year’s conference was in January 2020, shortly before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Conference Discusses “For the 99.5% Act,” SECURE, and More
Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act: Prior Designations
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Clients spend lots of time, money, and energy planning their estates. Estate Planning attorneys help them by counseling these clients and preparing various documents to meet the goals of the client, such as a Will or Trust. An increasing part of American wealth is governed by beneficiary designations. According to Statista, Americans had over $32 trillion in … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act: Prior Designations
Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act: Eligible Designated Beneficiaries
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Clients spend lots of time, money, and energy planning their estates. Estate Planning attorneys help them by counseling these clients and preparing various documents to meet the goals of the client, such as a Will or Trust. An increasing part of American wealth is governed by beneficiary designations. According to Statista, Americans had over $32 trillion in … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act: Eligible Designated Beneficiaries
Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act Basics
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Clients spend lots of time, money, and energy planning their estates. Estate Planning attorneys help them by counseling these clients and preparing various documents to meet the goals of the client, such as a Will or Trust. An increasing part of American wealth is governed by beneficiary designations. According to Statista, Americans had over $32 trillion in … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations and the SECURE Act Basics
Joint Tenancy Problems in Estate Planning
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Sometimes people use Joint Tenancy as a simple way to do Estate Planning. This can have drawbacks, sometimes serious and unexpected. First, why is Joint Tenancy a simple way to do Estate Planning? At the death of a joint tenant, the property automatically transfers by operation of law to the remaining joint tenant(s). This can be attractive because it bypasses the … [Read more...] about Joint Tenancy Problems in Estate Planning
How Will You Obtain the Care You Need?
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. As Americans grow older, more and more of us need help with our daily activities. It could be a little help or a lot of help, depending on the situation. Of course, the level of assistance we need can change over time. According to a study by Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement, 68% of middle-income boomers are providing care for a parent and 17% are … [Read more...] about How Will You Obtain the Care You Need?
Updating Your Plan: Beneficiary Designations
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. This is a bonus part of a series of articles on updating your plan. The first article examined the importance of updating your Powers of Attorney, both Financial and Medical. The second part of the series looked at the importance of updating your primary estate planning document, such as your Trust or Will. Together, these documents are the keystone in even the most … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Beneficiary Designations
Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. This is the second in a two-part series of articles on updating your plan. This first article examined the importance of updating the Powers of Attorney, both Financial and Medical. This second part of the series looks at the importance of updating your primary estate planning document, such as your trust or will. Together, these documents form the core of even the … [Read more...] about Updating Your Plan: Your Trust or Will
