It’s easy to assume that the world of estate planning never changes. Unfortunately, a lot of attorneys hold this same view and get comfortable in their roles without examining the way they do business. I’m an innovator at heart, eager to learn new ways to accomplish my goals, and never afraid to change something for the better—and something can always …
Nobody goes into business thinking about what would happen if the partnership goes sour. Unfortunately, failure to plan exit strategies while business is good will almost certainly result in hurt feelings, unprofessional behavior, and long, expensive litigation. Consider this recent case: Burt was the owner and founder of HRtoGo, a company that provided back-office services such as human resources, bookkeeping, …
Nobody likes to think about what would happen to their children if they were suddenly unable to care for them. Unfortunately, putting this painful scenario at the back of your mind can have long-lasting emotional and financial effects on your family—especially if the state ends up making crucial decisions for you. It’s no exaggeration to say that naming a guardian for …
Business formation is more than just registering your name; it’s also planning for every eventuality to make your business work for you. Despite the importance of creating an LLC or other entity for a new company, many owners opt to download form documents from the internet, assuming these will provide all the protection they need. The worst thing about a …
There are only two rules to follow when it comes to trust-based estate plans. The first rule (say it with me!) is to make sure your trust is properly funded. The second rule is to make sure your trust is examined every few years by an experienced estate planning attorney. The first brings your trust to life, and the second …
People can feel a lot of guilt about their estate plans, especially if they know their choices are likely to cause conflict among their relatives. To try and avoid conflict, parents who have multiple adult children may simply choose to divide their assets evenly, or they may disinherit one child and wait until the will is read to break the …
The creation of a trust is a powerful and necessary step to providing for your loved ones. As the grantor—also called a settlor or trustmaker—it falls to you to transfer the appropriate assets into the trust. Unfortunately, this is the exact point where many estate plans fail. If you told your attorney you would handle the funding, bought a trust …
In the age of the internet, nothing we do is private. Our names and images can pop up on the screen with the click of a button, making it easy for prospective employers, customers, or anyone else to learn about us in a frightening amount of detail. Privacy concerns are essential to the estate planning process. Whether you are protecting …
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2015 landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex couples nationwide are finally enjoying marriage equality. Whether you are legally married in the eyes of the law, or not, there are important additional legal planning steps you need to take to ensure your wishes are honored in the event of your disability, or your death. The …
Death could always be around the corner. The death of a loved one that takes everyone by surprise should not also cause a financial surprise to the loved one’s estate. Unfortunately, too many people are unaware of the potential costs and fees associated with the probate of an estate or administration of a trust.When an estate goes through probate, Florida …
