With about half of all marriages ending in divorce, second marriages and blended families have become the new normal in many communities. Estate planning for a blended family requires three-dimensional thinking for all concerned. An article from The University Herald, “The Challenges and Complexities of Estate Planning for Blended Families,…
It used to be unheard of, a divorce after fifty, sixty or even seventy years old. However, gray divorce is now becoming more common. There are pitfalls to be aware of, before taking this big step. According to the National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, younger…
Early adult life is simple. You may or may not have children, a car, a lease on an apartment. However, by the time you reach your 50s and 60s, you likely have some decent assets, like retirement accounts, investments, real estate and maybe even a few collectible cars. You’ll want…
Neglecting to plan for family dynamics can destroy the best estate plans. Make sure to address both difficult personalities and tax liabilities. They can be equally problematic. Saving loved ones from a large tax bill and maximizing the transfer of wealth across generations is great, but your estate plan needs…
With the number of late in life marriages among older Americans on the rise, it is best to address financial, legal and blended family issues before walking down the aisle. We Americans like to be married. So much so that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, about a third of…
Forget to make these changes and your heirs may never forgive you. Forget to align these documents, and your estate planning attorney will never forget you. Once the process of legally ending your marriage begins, you will need to make sure that your own interests are protected and that includes…
by Leonard M. Roth, Board Certified Family Law Specialist Unfortunately, divorce is a life-changing event for married couples of all ages. My grandparents divorced after 65 years of marriage. There are critical factors to consider when divorce happens in your older years. Texas is one of nine community property states.…
Once the initial emotional trauma is past and the couple starts working towards creating separation agreements, it's time to consider the day-to-day costs of living that change as the result of a divorce. The family economic unit that formerly had one mortgage or rent payment, one cable bill, one energy…
Once you're divorced you should immediately create a new estate plan — a will or revocable living trust, a healthcare power of attorney, and a living will ("pull the plug") designee. Read on for more estate planning must-do’s regarding divorce. A recent article in the The Huffington Post, titled “Divorce and…
Failure to do so — or to alert all relevant parties to the changes — could result in certain assets and benefits unintentionally going to your former spouse or his or her family upon your death. A MarketWatch article, titled “Just divorced? Don’t forget to separate your estate plans,” shares…