Estate Planning

While it remains unclear exactly what tax changes President Biden’s administration will usher in, two possibilities are that it will propose lowering the estate tax exemption and eliminating the stepped-up basis on death.

Don’t assume your estate will automatically go to your spouse when you die. If you don’t have an estate plan, your spouse may have to share your estate with other family members. Make it clear where your property goes.

While you may not legally require all new estate planning documents if you move to a different state, you should have your documents reviewed by a local attorney. State laws can affect how wills and trusts work.

Life insurance can play a few key roles in an estate plan, depending on your age and situation in life. Different types of policies can provide a variety of options and benefits that offer cash and revenue streams.

Pets are members of the family, so it is important to consider how to provide for them in your estate plan just as you would the human family members. Name a caretaker in your will or set up a pet...

As we enter the giving season, there is an additional reason to be charitable. Congress enacted a special provision that allows more people to easily deduct up to $300 in donations to qualifying charities this year.

While it may seem great to inherit a vacation house, in actuality it may not be practical to keep the property, especially for tax reasons. ...

Life estates can be an excellent tool for Medicaid planning, probate avoidance, and tax efficiency, but there are potential problems and risks to understand before creating one. Is a life estate right for you?...

Medicaid 101

Many websites offer customized, do-it-yourself wills and other estate planning documents. Although these products are convenient, using them could create serious and expensive legal problems for heirs. ...