In a prior article, we’ve commented on the frequency with which Estate Plans are out of date, or simply never completed – 70% by some estimates! As surprising as this figure might be with Wills or Trusts, our observation over the years is that, if estate planning languishes to this degree, the ...
If one scam isn’t enough, TWO more should do it!
As reported in Rich’s most recent article, the Annual Report scam being run by a company called Corporate Records Service doesn’t appear to be going away. Now I have the unhappy task to let you know there are a couple of new ones emerging since then. These are both intended to con people into buying ...
The Seven Deadly Sins of Estate Planning
My partners and I have reflected often on all the reasons so many people we know get stuck when thinking about their estate plans. After all, the statistics are stubborn and frightening: 70% of American adults have no Will or other estate plan, or what they put in place at one time is ineffective to ...
Happy Valentine’s Day?
It was my second meeting with the estate planning clients and their advisor. After some initial chit-chat, the couple was ready to discuss the serious questions they needed to answer about estate tax, probate avoidance, distribution, and new guardians, trustees and agents. Before we could turn the ...
The Devil May Be In the Details
After waiting with baited breath for news of the pending fiscal cliff, we all now know the outcome of that melodrama. Well, most of the outcome anyway. As to the lesser-known portion of the affected legislation—changes in the estate tax law—what we don’t yet know could matter to some families as ...