Anytime a blended family includes children from prior marriages, estate planning becomes more challenging, as reported in The Meridian Star, in “Estate planning after a second marriage.” If there are young children, how can you ensure that the surviving spouse will take care of them? And what if you pass…
An elderly many claimed that his trust was mismanaged and he brought action for financial elder abuse and other claims against his banking institution. A California court ruled that because the gentleman had established residency in California and Australia, he was not protected under the state’s welfare code. A judgment…
Do you have a plan for long term care? It can be costly and prohibitive for many families, especially for dementia care. Several key points about long term care are clarified in a recent article from The Arizona Daily Star, “Costs pile up fast for dementia care.” Don’t count on…
The Huffington Post published an interesting article on the ethical and legal issues posed by two related legal practice areas, “Some Legal Issues at the Intersection of Elder Law and Estate Planning.” There are legal and ethical issues that arise when determining courses of action in both areas. One is…
Utilizing intrafamily loans and trusts is one way that wealthy families can maximize their estate planning strategies. A recent issue of Barron’s features, “How Family Loans and Trusts Can Create Big Wins,” and outlines the specifics on intrafamily loans as an estate planning tool. The note has a fixed value,…
When Fritz Detmer passed away, he left his son, Tols Detmer, an estate worth several hundred thousand dollars. The terms of the will were that Tols was not to get his inheritance until he turned 18. Now, Tols is 19 and he is suing his own mother, Charlinette Detmer, for…
Probate records are open to the public and many individuals seek planning methods that may protect the privacy and security of survivors. Estate planning is one tool where individuals may keep the contents of their wills, details of assets, and private matters private. Interestingly, judges have the authority to seal…
Early in his career Stevie Wonder signed a contract with Motown Records. Like thousands of other recording artists, the terms were more beneficial to the record companies than for the artists. Wonder secured an attorney, Johanan Vigoda, to help him disengage from the Motown contract. Vigoda was also able to…
An aging woman posed a question to The New York Times “Ask Real Estate” columnist regarding her rented apartment. The woman asked if her daughter would be responsible for the older woman’s signed lease, if she passed away while still a tenant in the apartment. Her question appeared in a…
Our nation’s estate tax celebrates the hundred year mark in 2015. The often controversial estate tax stands to gain even more attention as the 2016 Presidential election draws near. The estate tax has been central to many debates during past Presidential elections. Republicans continue to call for the abolition of…