Category: Estate Planning

The year the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law, 2018, sure seems like a long time ago. As you may be aware, many of the tax provisions of that law are set to expire in a relatively short amount of time – on January 1, 2026.

Estate planning has a language of its own. While you may be familiar with common terms such as a will, trust, and an executor, you may not be as certain about others. For quick reference, here’s a glossary of terms you’re likely to come across in your estate planning documents.

Address top estate planning priorities today

When it comes to estate planning, consider taking a page out of the Boy Scout’s handbook: Be prepared. The last thing you want is for your family to be scrambling to pick up the pieces after your death. Of course, you’ll need a...

You didn’t retitle assets to be included in a trust

There are numerous benefits of using trusts in your estate plan. For example, it can maximize the tax code provisions shielding assets from gift and estate taxes, protect assets from the clutches of creditors or ex-spouses, and maintain control...

When you first dipped your toes into estate planning, you were probably told to start with a legally valid will, above everything else. Check. Next, you may have been advised to create an estate plan that incorporates your will and other legal documents. Check. Now you think you can rest easy.

Properly account for these assets in your estate plan

In 2024, it’s fair to say that most people have some form of digital assets. This asset type can include digital photo, video and music collections; social media accounts; online banking and brokerage accounts; or cryptocurrency. The question is: How...

Consider pairing a donor-advised fund with your estate plan

If charitable giving is high on your objectives list for your estate plan, one option to consider is using a donor-advised fund (DAF). Indeed, DAFs have been steadily growing in popularity in recent years.

According to the...

You likely have several goals you’d like your estate plan to achieve. They may include giving to your favorite charity and leaving a significant amount to your loved ones under favorable tax terms. One estate planning technique that may allow you to accomplish both goals is the use of a charitable remainder...

Choosing the right person to be your estate’s executor

The executor of your estate acts as the quarterback of your estate plan. This person calls the shots for your estate and passes it through probate. Just like a football team scouting a quarterback, the decision about who to “draft”...