You have to consider the source when you are searching the Internet looking for information about estate planning. There are Internet marketers out there who sell so called "one-size-fits-all" DIY estate planning kits. Most people are logically going to take pause, thinking that legal documents are generally drawn up with the assistance of licensed attorneys. These profit motivated websites are aware of this, and they must overcome this natural, logical objection. They do so by suggesting that … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Information: Consider the Source
Foresight Is the Key to a Secure Future
Statistics indicate that a significant percentage of baby boomers who are now nearing the typical retirement age are not ready from a financial perspective. Most people are not going to be able to make up for lost time when it comes to retirement preparations. It can take decades to accumulate the resources that you need to put a solid financial underpinning in place that enables a comfortable retirement. When should you begin preparing for the future? The answer is that you really can't start … [Read more...] about Foresight Is the Key to a Secure Future
Low Interest Rates Make Charitable Lead Trusts Appealing
We have an estate tax exclusion of $5.34 million in 2014, and this is a unified exclusion that encompasses taxable gifts that you give throughout your life as well as the assets that you are passing on after your death. It is worthwhile to emphasize the fact that you should not rest easy if your assets do not exceed this amount. Though you will hear the term "permanent" tossed around with regard to this $5 million exclusion with ongoing inflation adjustments, legislative changes are always … [Read more...] about Low Interest Rates Make Charitable Lead Trusts Appealing
Estate Planning Solution: Post-Marital Agreements
Married couples who are engaged in the process of estate planning can sometimes come to an impasse. There are a lot of decisions to make, and when you are deciding how to distribute community property there are different perspectives that can be taken. Estate Planning involves some important decisions, and there are no guarantees with regard to both partners agreeing on everything. One possible solution that exists would be the creation of a post-marital agreement that identifies the personal … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Solution: Post-Marital Agreements
Veterans Special Pension Can Help With Long-Term Care
If you are a veteran who served at least 90 days with even just one of these days taking place while the United States was involved in a war, you meet the length of service eligibility requirements for the Veterans Aid and Attendance special pension. Long-term care is very expensive in the United States as a whole, and in California it is even more expensive with a room in a nursing home typically costing more than $100,000 annually. Assisted living communities are expensive as well, and even … [Read more...] about Veterans Special Pension Can Help With Long-Term Care
Estate of Loner Bequeathed to Actors
The process of estate planning usually involves arranging for the transfer of assets to relatives and perhaps some close friends. However, there are no hard and fast rules; you can give inheritances to anyone regardless of the relationship. It is even possible to leave behind money to people that you do not know personally. Though few of us would take advantage of this possibility, Ray Fulk, who passed away last summer in Illinois, had different ideas. Fulk was a loner who didn't have any … [Read more...] about Estate of Loner Bequeathed to Actors
Preparing For Possible Incapacity
It is useful to see the big picture when you are making plans for the future. When the topic of estate planning arises, people often immediately think about drawing up a last will or a trust to handle the transfer of assets to their loved ones. Without question, this is a key part of estate planning, but there are some other things to consider if you want to be comprehensively prepared for all of the eventualities of aging. Most senior citizens do not pass away after having been in good health … [Read more...] about Preparing For Possible Incapacity
Social Security Benefit Alone Won’t Finance Comfortable Retirement
Estate Planning and Elder Law attorneys try to raise awareness about the limitations of the Social Security program as a source of retirement income. When you look at the statistics, you see that a significant percentage of baby boomers are finding out that they are never going to be able to retire. Many of them got into this disadvantageous position because they were expecting too much from Social Security. The amount of your Social Security benefit is calculated based on the 35 years during … [Read more...] about Social Security Benefit Alone Won’t Finance Comfortable Retirement
Revocable Living Trusts Are Preferable To Many
It is important to retain the services of a highly qualified San Jose estate planning lawyer when you are an area resident making plans for the future because there are numerous estate planning choices. A lot of people immediately think of the last will when they consider a vehicle of asset transfer, and though they may have heard of trusts, they may think that trusts are only appropriate for people of extraordinary means. In fact, utilizing a trust to transfer assets to your loved ones can be … [Read more...] about Revocable Living Trusts Are Preferable To Many
More Older Americans Remaining in Workforce
Retirement planning experts are noticing a growing trend among the nation's older citizens. A higher percentage of people who are in their mid-50's and beyond are remaining in the workforce. According to the Sloan Center at Boston College, the number of individuals who are at least 55 years of age who are still on the job has increased by 10% over the last 20 years. The average retirement age has risen by two years over what it was in the mid-1990's. There are various different reasons why … [Read more...] about More Older Americans Remaining in Workforce
