In the November 2020 case of Ochse v. Ochse, a Texas court heard a case that could potentially have a ripple effect on how trusts are interpreted. In this case, a mother established a trust that provided the trustee was authorized to make distributions to both the trustee’s son as…
Executors as well as the personal representatives of estates can be held personally liable for either applying or distributing estate assets when there are unpaid estate taxes owed in case the Internal Revenue Service is not paid. When estate tax returns are not filed, the final amount of estate taxes…
While many members of the Baby Boomer generation view Millennials as self-involved, the Millennial age group has been maturing. Some Millennials are even currently in their early 40’s. This means that many Millennials are reaching a point where they are having to engage in difficult conversations with their parents about…
One of the most recurring themes about estate planning as well as retirement strategies is to minimize risk. As a result, if you plan on creating a comprehensive retirement plan, you should make sure to also include an adequate estate plan. While you will hopefully enjoy a long and comfortable…
After moving between states, many people are overwhelmed and overlook critical estate planning steps. This can lead to undesirable estate planning results because different states treat issues like marital property and taxes differently. In these situations, it helps to understand some helpful advice about how to revise and update your…
Trusts are either irrevocable or revocable. Many people prefer revocable trusts because they want to avoid placing their assets into a trust whose terms they can never change. Simply put, irrevocable trusts are trusts that cannot be modified or terminated without the permission of the trust’s beneficiary. After passing…
Countless families have members who are black sheep. These individuals can end up influencing how the family passes on assets. Regardless of the situation, it is critical to evaluate and reflect on your beneficiary’s situation when it comes to estate planning. As a result, this article reviews some critical issues…
Unfortunately, there’s no one size fits all estate plan. This couldn’t be truer during a year when a large number of uncertainties exist about the future. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives in countless ways, which includes an increased concern about end of life issues. As a result, as…
A power of appointment allows a person engaged in estate planning to direct where interest in an estate or trust is passed. Appointments are often classified as either general or limited/special. A general power of appointment gives the holder broad power to transfer a deceased person’s property. For example, if…
In accordance with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a person can transfer up to $11,580,000 without facing either estate or gift taxes. This amount, however, will lower at the end of 2026 and revert to $5,000,000. Many people are worried, however, that due to the change in political administrations…