Amend Your Estate Planning After Divorce
If you are going through or have recently completed a divorce proceeding, you should reassess your will, trusts, beneficiary designations, power of attorney, life insurance, medical power of attorney and living will. It is likely that all of these documents will need to be changed to insure that the proper beneficiaries, executors, trustees and guardians …
Passing Wealth Across Generations – Ivanka Trump’s Perspective by: David Frees
I was fortunate to be a speaker last week at the same conference as Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. And, better yet, the topic of Ivanka’s speech had to do with how she was raised and why she works so hard despite her family’s wealth. Now as most of you know, the passing of wealth between …
Key Medicaid Figures for Pennsylvania for 2009
The Key 2009 Pennsylvania Medicaid Numbers can be found by clicking this link. They include, Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA), Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance, Average monthly cost of nursing home care in PA, Estate Recovery, Home Equity Limit, Medicaid Transfers and Ineligibility for Gifts. These figures and requirements change annually. Review these important numbers …
Estate Planning For You..And A Gift For Your Spouse or Loved One
Most people don’t think of the process of estate planning as having any benefit for themselves. Do you? For most of us, the process of estate planning is something that we endure for the benefit of our family, friends, and/or a favorite charity. You want your legacy to go where you want it to go. …
Getting Government Assistance For At Home Nursing Care
Many clients with family members and spouses in need of full time nursing care would like to provide care at home. Unfortunately, not everyone has the financial resources to pay for this care privately. There might be an alternative to private pay home care for you and your family. There are possible options such …
Deciding How Much Money to Put in a Special Needs Trust
Special Needs Trust Planning for disabled beneficiaries is tremendously important. Gifts to disabled beneficiaries during lifetime and through wills should be made to specifically designed Special Needs Trusts. These trusts are designed to provide a safe and secure place for the gift or inheritance while allowing disabled beneficiaries to continue receiving government based benefits such …
Mom, Apple Pie, and The Death Tax – Another Man’s Views
This is an alternative view on federal estate tax changes but be aware, not entirely accurate on the facts.
Have You Ever Wondered “Do I Need A Will?” Apparently Yes.
Periodically clients ask “Do I even need a will?” And, you would expect a lawyer who drafts wills, and trusts, and asset protection plans in Pennsylvania to say yes. And, you should know, that I believe in the value of what I help people to do. And, I have seen many examples of little or …
Flat Fees For Lawyers – Executors Want to Know the Cost of Probate
If you are an executor of a Pennsylvania estate, read this artcile before you hire counsel. The one thing that families, beneficiaries and executors all want is to minimize the costs of probate and even administering a trust or estate not subject to probate. Most firms still charge according to fee guidelines, or on an …
529 Plans – Want To Know How The Obamas Are Saving For College For The Kids?
With the cost of 4 year college educations continuing to soar and, to out pace inflation, many of us are wondering how to save for our children. There are a variety of tools ranging from multiple 529 plans to UTMA accounts, to trusts, and outright savings in the parent’s own names. But, if you want to …