Category Archives: Estate Planning
Estate Planning and Beneficiary Designations
When you put things like life insurance policies, IRA accounts, annuities and 401(k) accounts in place, you are asked if you would like to name a beneficiary. You can also put a beneficiary in place for things like checking or … Continue reading
Estate Planning For Singles – Your Pets
If you are single you may not have children, but you most likely have one or more pets that you cherish like family. What would happen to your beloved pet if you unexpectedly died or became hospitalized? Have you put … Continue reading
Why Your Florida Durable Power of Attorney Should Be Updated Regularly
Many times I have people come into my office having taken the proactive step of putting a durable power of attorney in place as part of their incapacity planning. However, having put it in place, they checked it off their … Continue reading
Why Unmarried Couples in Committed Relationships Need Estate Planning
If you do not put your own plan in place for your incapacity or death, the state in which you live usually has a default plan in place for you. If you are a married couple, the default plan usually … Continue reading
Leaving a Gift to Charity in Your Estate Plan Is Sometimes Not As Easy As It Seems
When you are putting your estate plan together and deciding who you want to get what, you may decide that you would like to leave a gift to one of your favorite charities. However, if you are leaving a gift … Continue reading
Gift Tax Annual Exclusion For 2013 Increases to $14,000
The annual gift tax exclusion is the amount of money that you can give to an individual each year without worrying about paying gift tax. The amount of the annual gift tax exclusion for 2012 is $13,000 but it will … Continue reading
Put Your Estate Plan in Place Before Tomorrow Arrives
I was reminded last week of why estate planning is so important. A woman passed away in her home and was found a few days later when her friends became concerned that they couldn’t get in touch with her. Her … Continue reading
Treating Your Beneficiaries Under Your Will Fairly Doesn’t Mean Treating Them Equally
If all your children had the same personality, parenting would be much easier. Whenever you figured out what was best for one, it would automatically be best for the others. However, as any parent of more than one child can … Continue reading
A Trust Can Provide Protection For Your Children
Many people aspire to leave an inheritance for their children. It is perhaps a chance to help your children start a business, save for retirement or achieve a dream. No matter how large or small the inheritance may be, the … Continue reading
Charities Can Be Beneficiaries in Your Estate Plan
Many people think of their family members as beneficiaries when they are putting their estate plans together, but don’t realize that their favorite charity can be a beneficiary as well. There are many ways to give a gift to a … Continue reading