06

Mar

Making Your Wishes Known

This article first appeared at Council on Aging for Henderson County’s website in July, 2015 Most of us have seen the tragic stories on the news during the past several decades involving families torn apart over the decision to keep or remove life support for a loved one who has...

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Category: Estate Planning


06

Mar

Choosing the Right Power of Attorney to Protect Your Assets

It is a sad and unfortunate reality that many seniors each year lose thousands of dollars or more in cash and other assets to the person, often a family member, who they trusted to be their financial power of attorney. To avoid this situation, it is important to understand what a...

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Category: Estate Planning


06

Mar

Capital at Play covers Andy Strauss

The April issue of Asheville's own Capital at Play Magazine carried the Estate Planning article “How to Exit in Style” featuring Andy Strauss. Andy had a great time working with writer, Marie Bartlett, and photographer, Bugs Utsey, as you can tell by the image b...

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06

Mar

What is a Trust and What are the Powers and Duties of a Trustee?

A trust is a fiduciary relationship with respect to property in which one person, the trustee, holds the legal title to the trust property for the benefit of another person or persons, the beneficiary. Essentially, it is a device where one or more persons manage the property for...

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Category: Estate Planning


06

Mar

What Happens in North Carolina When an Individual Dies Without Executing a Will?

Research shows that over 50% of Americans die without executing a will. A person dies intestate if he or she dies without making a valid will. If you die without making a will, then the intestacy laws of the state of North Carolina (or the state in which you reside at your death)...

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Category: Estate Planning


06

Mar

Disabled Children of Veterans’ Survivor Benefits

Disabled Children of Military Veterans May Now have Survivor Benefits Paid to Special Needs TrustsIn December 2014, Congress finally passed provisions allowing the disabled children of military veterans to have their survivor benefits paid in to Special Needs Trusts! This devel...

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Categories: Elder Law Trusts Vets


06

Mar

Long Term Care Costs

It is a New Year. Is this the year the family will lose everything due to long term care costs? Virtually every week I am asked to assist families in protecting assets that are at risk of being lost due to the staggering costs of long term nursing care. The most pressing questio...

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Category: Elder Law


06

Mar

Will Caveats

It is essential for anyone with legitimate questions about a will or an estate to retain an experienced litigator to help either defend or challenge a will. Will contests, also known as will caveats in North Carolina, can be a most unpleasant form of litigation. Peter McGuire has...

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Category: Estate Planning


06

Mar

2014 Year End Tax Planning Memorandum

The 2014 year has been relatively quiet regarding new tax legislation, but several changes have been put in place. As the year winds down, it is a good time to review your tax and gift strategies. This letter may be used as a checklist to ensure you are well-positioned for the ye...

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Category: Estate Planning


25

Mar

Uncovering Charitable Planning Opportunities

Charitable giving is discretionary spending. It is affected by both the economy and the income tax rates. Not surprisingly, charitable giving has been down in recent years, but this does not mean clients are less charitably inclined. Many just need to be pointed in the right dire...

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Category: Advisors