10

Aug

Don’t Lose the Family Home Due to Medicaid Estate Recovery.

Ever since the COVID-19 virus hit our state this spring, I have heard many instances of families facing the loss of the family home after a parent or grandparent has died while receiving Medicaid benefits to help pay the cost of a long term nursing home stay. This is especially...

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10

Aug

Digital Estate Planning – How to Prepare your Online Assets for After Death

We live in a digital society. We present and store an ever-growing amount of our lives (social, financial, work) in digital form. The average person has over 200 accounts per email, up from 150 just three years ago. Family treasures like photos, home movies, and messages now pred...

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10

Aug

Coronavirus and Your IRA

On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) became law. Among the most impactful tax changes found in the $2 trillion stimulus bill are the provisions affecting retirement accounts. Retirees do not need to take Required Minimum Distributions (...

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10

Aug

When the Unimaginable Happens, Are You Prepared?

As the public health situation continues to evolve around coronavirus (COVID-19), we draw our attention to our own wellbeing and that of our loved ones. Given the current health concerns, the volatility of the financial markets, and social distancing, the once-unimaginable scena...

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10

Aug

The Importance of Income Tax Planning

Income Tax planning is an integral part of Estate Planning. This blog examines what happens to the income tax basis of an asset when it is gifted or bequeathed. There are different rules for the basis of an asset that is gifted to you that one you are given by the death of someo...

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10

Aug

Last-minute Charitable Ideas and Impending Major IRA/401(k) Legislation

BREAKING NEWS—IMPORTANT IRA LEGISLATIONA new bill called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, otherwise known as the SECURE Act has passed the Congress and was signed by President Trump on December 20, 2019. The SECURE Act goes into effect January...

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10

Aug

Why can’t lawyers just use simple English in estate planning?

Estate planning documents are often difficult to read because lawyers have their own vocabulary. Ever come across the words “per stirpes”? It is a Latin phrase that has been used by lawyers for more than a century. It means by the bloodline and refers to a manner of distribution...

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10

Aug

R-E-S-P-E-C-T My Handwritten Will

By Carter B. Webb The legendary Aretha Franklin died August 16, 2018 at her home in Detroit, Michigan. At first, it appeared that she died intestate – meaning that she died without having signed a last will and testament. However, it was recently reported that three holographic...

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10

Aug

Do Not Miss Out on All of the Medicaid Exemptions You are Entitled To

Medicaid rules can be confusing and even Department of Social Services caseworkers get their own rules wrong from time to time. Having an advocate that can work through the maze of rules can pay off for the family. In North Carolina, a Medicaid applicant can have up to a $10,000...

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10

Aug

Planning for Incapacity in Estate Plans

As our population ages, the prevalence of dementia and other cognitive impairments that make it difficult to conduct business affairs is on the rise. An aging, demographics, and memory study conducted by the US government found that individuals over age 71 had a 13. 9% incidence o...

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