Recent Blog Posts
IRA Trusts Could Soon Become an Estate Planning Nightmare
If Congress decides to eliminate the stretch IRA, estate planning could become a lot more complicated, as we discuss below. This is unfortunately a real possibility, as the House recently passed the “Secure Act,” which eliminates the stretch IRA and replaces it with a 10-year payout for most non-spouse beneficiaries, including trusts. Stretch IRAs… Read More »
Should I Consider Involving a Mediator in My Estate Planning?
There is no question that the potential for family conflict to arise during estate planning is significant, especially since those engaged in estate planning often have to discuss inheritance and related issues. During this process, it is possible for estate planning attorneys to help mitigate these disputes by acting as and/or involving mediators. In… Read More »
It’s Not Enough to Simply Form a Trust, You Also Have to Fund It
Most people who have put together an estate plan have also established a trust. Trusts are especially appealing because they allow you to bypass probate. However, in order to do so, you must title all of your assets correctly. This includes such items as bank and brokerage accounts, business shares, real estate, and more;… Read More »
Pending Legislation Could Inadvertently Make The IRA Your “Biggest Beneficiary”
A retirement bill is advancing through Congress which could have implications for retirees and their estate plans. The legislation is called the Secure Act, and does a number of things, including delaying when people would have to take required minimum distributions (to age 72), extending the age limit that allows people to place money… Read More »
Property Needs an Estate Plan Just Like Anything Else
As Orlando estate planning attorneys, we talk a lot about how to pass assets and funds onto beneficiaries. But what about land? Land that is passed down without a will can also be lost in the same way that everything else that’s part of an estate can. Specifically, when land is passed down without… Read More »
Do I Need A “Revocable Trust”?
As attorneys who focus on estate planning here in Florida, we receive a number of questions from clients as to whether there is a difference between a revocable living trust in a regular trust and whether couples should create a will or a trust or something else, etc. Note that revocable trusts – also… Read More »
The Most Important Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Estate planning doesn’t just involve a last will and testament; the estate planning attorney that you work with should offer you a broad array of services, such as drafting living trusts and advising you on how best to avoid estate taxes; as well as a number of other issues and how best to handle… Read More »
Make Sure Your Estate Plan Does Not Fall Prey to The Three Deadliest Tax Complications
While there are a number of tax issues that can affect estate plans, there are several in particular that can have significantly sinister effects and are therefore worth discussing in greater depth. When you have your regular discussion with your estate planning attorney, it is wise to discuss the specific topics to see if… Read More »
The Most Important Tax Issues to Consider If You Are an Executor, Trustee, Or Administrator
There are a number of key tax questions that pop up when a loved one passes away and you are responsible for their estate as the executor. Below, we discuss some of the most important considerations to take into account if you are responsible for an estate: General Responsibilities The executor of an estate… Read More »
Have You Properly Accounted for Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan?
There is arguably enough to worry about when it comes to estate planning without also having to plan for a new type of asset, and one that can be present challenges to even the most tech-savvy of us. Still, as part of your overall estate plan, you need to make sure that you have… Read More »