Even if you have created a well-designed estate plan that achieves your goals, you may still wonder how to ensure your plan will be administered as you expect. If you have named a family member or loved one as your successor trustee, will that person be capable of carrying out their fiduciary responsibilities during a […]
The Role of Executor of Your Estate The person you name in your will as the executor of your estate is responsible for managing your estate in the event there are probate proceedings. This involves a court process and working under court supervision to gather and identify assets, debts, and liabilities. Your executor will notify […]
Estate planning is about control: Putting a plan in place allows you to control certain issues even when you are impaired or have passed away. Health care directives are the part of estate planning that provides guidance about medical decisions to be made on your behalf if you are unable to act. Despite the importance […]
The much-anticipated SECURE Act (Setting Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) (the “Act”) finally passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law by the President on December 20, 2019, becoming effective on January 1, 2020. As we discussed in an article late last year, the SECURE Act “reforms” retirement savings rules with the goal […]
In 2017 when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law, it made significant changes to gift and estate transfer taxes. These changes were effective starting in 2018 and continue through 2025. One of the biggest changes was doubling the basic exemption amount—meaning how much can be transferred free of the gift, […]
