Author Archives: Andre O. McDonald
Wondering Whether You Need to Update Your Estate Plan?
Yes, You Do. And Here’s Why. Please allow us to be frank. It’s unrealistic to think that a piece of paper – an estate plan – that you draft, reflecting your life at a certain time, will work when your life has completely changed some years later. We’ll use the Chandler family as an… Read More »
How to Get Organized to Meet With Your Estate Planning Attorney
OK, great! You’ve finally decided it’s time to meet with an estate planning attorney and get your affairs in order. It’s time to make sure your family is protected. Now that you’ve scheduled the first appointment, what’s the next step? You can do one of two things: (1) Simply wait for the meeting date… Read More »
Estate Planning Basics for Newlyweds – How to Get Prepared for the Unexpected
It’s that time of year – the time for beautiful weddings, fun receptions, delicious cakes, special gifts, and romantic honeymoons. While this is a joyous time for everyone, especially newlyweds, it’s also time for you and your new spouse to plan for your future – for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in… Read More »
It’s Not Just About Death and Taxes: The Essential Legal Documents You Need for Incapacity Planning
Comprehensive estate planning is about more than your legacy after death, avoiding probate, and saving on taxes. It must also be about having a plan in place to manage your affairs if you become mentally incapacitated during your lifetime. What Happens Without an Incapacity Plan? Without a comprehensive incapacity plan in place, a… Read More »
Warning: Don’t Let Creditors Inherit From You
3 Options Available To Surviving Spouses for an Inherited IRA Shocking to most people, the retirement account you leave for your spouse can be seized in a divorce, lawsuit, or bankruptcy. When your surviving spouse receives the inherited IRA, he or she generally has three options: Cash out the inherited IRA and pay… Read More »
Irrevocable Trust vs. Revocable Trust: Which Is Best for You?
Trusts allow you to avoid probate, minimize taxes, provide organization, maintain control, and provide for yourself and your heirs. In its most simple terms, a trust is a book of instructions wherein you tell your people what to do, when. While there are many types of trusts, the major distinction between trusts is whether… Read More »
Landmark Case: U.S. Supreme Court Rules Inherited IRAs are Not Protected from Creditors
On June 12, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court—in a unanimous decision—ruled that Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) inherited by anyone other than a spouse are not retirement funds and therefore are not protected from the beneficiary’s creditors in bankruptcy. The reasoning is, because the beneficiary cannot make additional contributions or delay distributions until retirement, it… Read More »
