Informational Blogs

Fans of the show Downton Abbey know what an impact estate planning, inheritance and legacy have on the show’s plot. But some of the plot twists driven by estate planning decisions couldn’t happen in the real world. In the first episode of this season (spoiler alert if you haven’t seen it) we see the ramifications of not having a will,…Read More

A living trust is a tool that can benefit anyone, no matter how large or small your assets. A living trust is a trust that puts you in charge during your lifetime, and then passes to a successor after you die. This allows you to get your assets in order while you are still alive and have them set up…Read More

Everyone needs an estate plan—not just the wealthy. Married. Divorced. Single. Blended Family. You name it. You need it. An estate plan does more than just pass on wealth in the form of dollars. It helps your surviving family members know what you want done with you, your stuff, your money and your property. Even if you don’t have a…Read More

Estate planning may seem complicated, boring, daunting, or any combination of the three. But there’s one adjective you may not be thinking of: easy. For all the fancy terminology and complex legalities, there are really only three elements to your estate plan, and they aren’t hard to get sorted out. But once you do, you can save your surviving family…Read More

The following is a kind of consumer advisory article recently written concerning people who call themselves "Bankruptcy Preparers." Written By Daniel Winter: March 8, 2014 The Bankruptcy law does allow non-lawyers to help people file for bankruptcy protection on their own. They are called “Petition Preparers” and there’s a whole section of the Bankruptcy Code devoted to them. But, just…Read More

This year, 2014, is the first year the federal government will recognize same-sex marriages for tax purposes. With state laws changing, being challenged and being initiated all over the country, it can be hard to keep up with the best advice. Here are the top suggested tips for LGBT couples, no matter where you live. Now that the rules have…Read More

The right trustee can make a big difference in the way your estate is handled. So how do you choose one, and more importantly, how do you make sure they are living up to their responsibilities when you won’t be around to check up on them? There is also the common concern of "hurting someone's feelings" by not selecting a…Read More

No doubt you’ve started getting W9s from your employers in the mail, reminding you that the trip to the tax guy is right around the corner. It’s also a reminder that you survived another year—which is good news if you don’t have a will and estate plan in place. You can brighten your financial future if you take care of…Read More

Most people do not want to be a "bother" to their spouse, children, family and friends. Most people want to protect their assets and have things handled efficiently and in a cost effective manner. I believe in my [sum_y start_year='27/11/1991'] years of law practice that I have never had a client say "I want this to be complicated, take a…Read More

It’s important to plan carefully if you are planning to file for bankruptcy and you know you have a large inheritance or gift coming your way. In many cases, the Chapter 7 process takes between 90 and 120 days depending on when initial hearings are set. In bankruptcy, an inheritance up until 180 days after filing can be used to pay back…Read More