Estate planning blog
Everything you need to know about Estate Planning, including how to get letters, if you need Estate Planning, and more.
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Estate Planning and Real Estate with Multiple Heirs
Looks like we’ve got a little bit of a real estate theme going on here the last couple of posts. That’s what people are asking us about, so that’s what we’re talking about. This time, we’re talking about real estate and estate planning...
Do You Have to Pay Excise Tax to Transfer Real Estate into a Trust?
I had a conversation with a potential client today that asked me about whether or not excise taxes had to be paid on a real estate transfer into a revocable living trust. So I thought I’d answer that question right here. First, let’s define excise tax. At...
Divorce and Estate Planning
Unfortunately not all marriages work out. When that happens all sorts of stuff needs to get updated, including your estate plan. Here’s the quick and dirty of what you need to think about updating, and why. FIRST, it’s important to know that if you die...
Revocable Living Trusts Do Not Provide Asset Protection
When people think about protecting their assets they often think of trusts. We always see in the movies how super rich people doing bad things or wanting to avoid taxes create trusts to shield their assets from lawsuits and the government. There are two truths we need...
Will a Revocable Living Trust Mess Up My Refi?
The chances of you living in your house forever are slim. Like, very slim. A question we get asked often by our estate planning clients, either during the estate planning process, or after their estate plan is complete, is what happens if they have a revocable living...
Do You Have to Record Your Revocable Living Trust?
A question I get asked often as an estate planning attorney is whether or not one has to record their revocable living trust once it is active. It’s a great question, and one that is important as many people create revocable living trusts in order to secure some...
Umbrella Insurance Policy Quick Tip
Umbrella policy quick tip. As an estate planning attorney I often get asked questions about asset protection. Particularly when it comes to ensuring rental homes and second homes. Should I use an asset protection trust? Should I create an LLC? For most people, those...
The Best Christmas Gift You Can Give
The best Christmas gift you can give is safety and peace of mind for you, your family, and future generations. Easiest way to do that is with an estate plan. Happy Holidays! Cheers, Christopher Small Estate Planning Attorney PS – Click here to schedule a FREE...
Three Ways to Challenge a Will or Trust
A common estate planning attorney question I get is “how can I make sure no one challenges my will?” I always tell everyone the same thing: “There is no way to prevent someone from challenging your will if they want to. If they have money and...
Don’t Quitclaim Deed Your Kids Your Real Estate
A common idea when people are thinking about estate planning is to quitclaim their home to their kids. The thinking is it will allow one to avoid probate and just make things simple. The problem, however, is that it can create a bunch of unintended problems....
Can You Hand Write Changes On Your Will?
Can you handwrite changes on your will? Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
Business Owners and Estate Planning – Two Considerations
Business owners and estate planning – two considerations. Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
What is a Step-Up in Basis (and why is it important in estate planning)?
What is a step-up in basis (and why is it important in estate planning)? Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
What is the Generation Skipping Tax?
What is the generation skipping tax? Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
Don’t Forget the Final Step for Your Revocable Living Trust!
Don’t forget the final step! Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
Should I Even Start Estate Planning Right Now Given the “Shelter at Home” Order?
Should I even start estate planning right now given the “shelter at home” order? Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
The WRONG Time to Create Your Estate Plan.
The WRONG time to get estate planning. Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
Why is it so Hard to Create an Estate Plan?
Why is it so hard to create an estate plan? Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
Who Needs Estate Planning?
Who needs estate planning? Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
5 Things a Revocable Living Trust Can do that a Will Cannot
5 things a revocable trust can do that a Will can’t. Click here to schedule a FREE strategy session with an estate planning attorney.
What is Probate and Why Do People Want to Avoid It?
People call us to talk about Probate all the time. We are, after all estate planning and probate lawyers. Some people call hoping to avoid probate via estate planning. Some people call after a loved one has died hoping they don’t have to go through probate. But...
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