Tag Archives: estate planning
3 Examples of When an Irrevocable Trust Can—and Should—Be Modified
A frequently asked question that we receive is: “Can you change an irrevocable trust?“ You may be surprised to find out that YES, they can indeed be modified. If you did not know this, you are not alone. The name lends itself to that very misconception. However, the truth is that changes in laws,… Read More »
How the Corporate Transparency Act May Impact Your Estate Plan
Starting on January 1, 2024, under a new law called the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), owners of certain business entities must file a report with the federal government including details regarding the ownership of their entity. The Corporate Transparency Act was enacted to help combat money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud, and other… Read More »
Can Artificial Intelligence Programs Write Basic Estate Planning Documents?
With the increased coverage of artificial intelligence (AI) and all of the applications it can have in our everyday lives, some people may wonder whether an AI estate planning program can create their documents for them. While AI may be able to generate basic estate planning documents, including wills and trusts, there is no… Read More »
Blindsided: The Michael Oher Conservatorship Controversy Explained
Michael Oher has had a remarkable life so far. Born to a single mother struggling with addiction and growing up in and out of foster care, Oher went on to star as a University of Mississippi football player and was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens…. Read More »
When Does Someone Need a Property Guardian?
When individuals cannot manage their finances, courts can appoint guardians. Guardianship is for those who need help handling money. Depending on the jurisdiction, financial guardianship may also be called guardianship of the estate or conservatorship. In Maryland financial guardianship is called Guardian of Property. Similarly, in the District of Columbia, a financial guardianship is called a… Read More »
Key Considerations Around Estate Planning for Expatriates
The United States hosts the highest number of immigrants in the world, but increasingly, Americans say they are looking to relocate permanently to another country. A large percentage of wealthy Americans are also interested in buying real estate overseas and living there at least part-time. This begs the question: are there any specific considerations… Read More »
Collecting Debts on Behalf of Your Deceased Loved One
People often engage in transactions that result in money being owed to them, such as loaning money to a friend or business partner or renting a house to a tenant. But what happens if someone passes away before they receive the money owed to them? Can someone else collect the money owed to deceased… Read More »
Four Things Your Spouse Should Know Before You Die
It is normal for married couples to share almost every aspect of their lives with each other. But when it comes to death, even the closest couples might become tight-lipped about certain topics. According to one study, half of all couples fail to discuss their dying wishes.[1] Death is final for the departed. For… Read More »
Difference Between Transfer on Death and Payable on Death Designation
Adding a payable on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD) designation to an account allows the assets (money and property) in that account to be passed to a named beneficiary when the original account holder dies. But what is the difference between payable on death vs transfer on death accounts? Like trusts, POD… Read More »
Should the Trustee of My Trust Be Different During My Incapacity Than at My Death?
When you create a trust, choosing a trustee is one of the most important decisions you will make. If you create a revocable living trust—that is, a trust that you establish during your lifetime and can revoke or amend—you may opt to act as trustee for your trust, retaining the full control over and… Read More »
