Estate planning is one of the core responsibilities of adulthood, but many people completely ignore the subject. The truth is, most of us don't want to think about death and that causes many people to put off estate planning until they are old and gray. We recommend a more proactive, systematic approach. If you put estate planning off indefinitely, you may never get around to it, and people die intestate every day. Plus, there are details that should be addressed to plan your estate in the … [Read more...] about Why Do You Need an Estate Plan?
I am Fine…I Think. Coping as a Caregiver
by Dedra Jize, OT., CSA Geriatric Care Manager, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law Caregiving is not a new concept. It began thousands of years ago when the first parent took care of their first child; and yet, here we are still talking about it. In this article, I am not going to talk about parenting; but rather, caregiving for an elderly person, whether you are the spouse, the adult child or some other family or friend. The role of a caregiver greatly varies … [Read more...] about I am Fine…I Think. Coping as a Caregiver
Act in Advance to Prevent a Conservatorship
A lot of people think of estate planning as a purely financial endeavor. It is true that you have to facilitate the transfer of your monetary assets after you pass away. This is one important piece to the puzzle, but it is not the only one. In order to be comprehensively prepared for the inevitabilities that we will all face, you should consider end-of-life matters as well. With this in mind, we will share some information about incapacity planning in this post. Alzheimer’s Disease To fully … [Read more...] about Act in Advance to Prevent a Conservatorship
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
You Need These Five Estate Planning Documents
A lot of people put estate planning on the back burner because it seems like an overwhelming task, and they don’t know where to begin. This is understandable to some extent, and in this post, we will look at five must-have documents to provide you with a starting point. Asset Transfers The first order of business will be to state your wishes with regard to the way you want your assets to be distributed after your passing. A will is a possibility, but this document is really not the right … [Read more...] about You Need These Five Estate Planning Documents
Dealing with Stress and Anxiety (Video)
In this Vlog, Geriatric Care Manager Dedra Jize offers some important advice on dealing with stress and anxiety. Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. If you would like to learn more about the importance of estate planning, we invite you to attend one of our free estate planning webinars. … [Read more...] about Dealing with Stress and Anxiety (Video)
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?
