06

Mar

When you want to say “No Thank You”

What is a disclaimer? A “disclaimer” is a legal no thank you. It is an irrevocable and unqualified refusal to accept an interest in property. The effect of a disclaimer is as if no transfer was made to or from the person making the disclaimer. Most states have statutes that allo...

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06

Mar

How do Martial Arts Relate to Elder Law Planning?

Many clients consult with attorneys in our firm in order to make plans to deal with the effects of aging on themselves or their parents. With proper planning we are able to help families preserve assets in the face of daunting long-term care expenses. These long-term care expense...

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06

Mar

Estate Planning Document Organizer

Make preparations now to keep family and loved ones secure when you are no longer here! Have you ever seen estate planning documents that are in fancy docket covers, folded up and placed in a bank safety deposit box for safekeeping? We see them all the time. We often joke that th...

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06

Mar

Estate Planning for Everyday Folks

One of the biggest misconceptions that I hear as an estate planning attorney is that creating an estate plan is just for the wealthy. The timeworn saying that the only two things that are inevitable in this world are death and taxes never had a $ sign or dollar amount in the say...

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Categories: Estate Planning Firm


06

Mar

An Overview of Trusts and What it Means to be a Trustee

What is a trust and what are the powers, duties, and potential liabilities for serving as a trustee of a trust? A trust is a fiduciary relationship with respect to property in which one person (the trustee) holds the legal title to trust property for the benefit of another person...

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06

Mar

Welcome our newest attorney, Tiffany S. Tyler!

We are very excited to welcome Tiffany S. Tyler as the newest attorney in our Hendersonville Office! Tiffany’s experience as an Assistant Clerk in the Buncombe County Estates and Probate Office has offered her great insight into administering estates, trusts, and guardianships. T...

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Category: Firm


06

Mar

Does the New Tax Act Reduce the Income Tax Benefits of Giving to Charity and How to Encourage Larger Donations?

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which became effective on January 1, 2018, affects almost every area of income tax law, including charitable giving. An individual’s cost to donate money to charity has traditionally been reduced by the tax benefits afforded charitable deductions under s...

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06

Mar

North Carolina Increases Attacks Against the Estates of Long Term Care Medicaid Recipients

The Department of Health and Human Services at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved an amendment to North Carolina’s State Medicaid Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act effective as of June 1, 2017. In these changes North Carolina has formalized a ch...

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06

Mar

Estate Planning Opportunities Arise with Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which came into effect on January 1, 2018, is the most significant overhaul of the tax code since 1986. Although it was meant to simplify the tax code, it is very complex and will undoubtedly be subject to ongoing modifications and interpretation...

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06

Mar

Using Life Insurance instead of an Internal Revenue Code Section 529 Qualified Tuition Program

Grandparents are often very fond of establishing savings accounts intended for grandchildren’s education. If they can do so with tax advantages, it is even better! Frequently a grandparent will consider starting a Section 529 Savings Plan for the grandchild because financial advi...

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