Like many people today, I love the Internet. It is a great business, social, and financial tool. I am member of a number of various discussion forums (legal, technological, social, and personal), have a Facebook Account, a twitter account, multiple email addresses for business and personal use, and now have friends all over the world,… Read More
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Be Careful of Store Bought “Fill in the Blank” Wills and Software
This post concerns what I see are the dangers of people buying fill in the blank Wills in stores, over the internet, or using consumer software. And I am going to admit right up front that I have a personal and financial bias. My job is to provide estate planning services, which may include wills,… Read More
“Who Provides Your Content?” I do!
Since I started my blog I have been asked on more than one occasion, “Who Provides Your Content?” At first, I didn’t understand the question. I explained that a company called LexBlog worked on the design on the website (and I have to say they did a fantastic job) and provides hosting and other technical… Read More
When a Will or Trust is not Enough: Beneficiary Designations
In the past, I have discussed the importance of everyone, single or married, gay or straight, to have either their Will or Revocable Trust properly drafted and executed. The reason for this, of course, is so that you can decide how your property is distributed upon your death and the state doesn’t decide for you… Read More
Do You Need a Revocable Living Trust?
I was at a networking event today, and I was talking with a guy in his twenties — healthy, unmarried, no children, minimal assets and minimal debt. He said he wanted to talk to me about me doing a “revocable living trust” for him. When I asked him why he thought he needed one, he… Read More
Breaking: IRS Commissioner Sets Forth Plan for Deductions for Madoff Victims
In testimony before Congress this morning, IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman [No Relation] testified that the Service will be issuing guidance as to how victims of Ponzi schemes can treat their losses for tax purposes. According to the New York Times: The plan, which applies to victims of all Ponzi schemes, is likely to provide major relief… Read More
Same Sex Couples Need Estate Planning As Much as, or Even More Than Legally Married Couples
Over the past few years, one of the most active and contentious political issues in this country has been that of gay, or same sex marriage. Proponents of same sex marriage have argued that a married couple automatically has “1400” rights just by virtue of being married. They argue that since same sex couples are… Read More
Review (and revise) Your Estate Plan After a Signficiant Change in your Finances
There was a short article yesterday in the Bristol (CT) Press by Connecticut Attorney Daniel O. Tully pointing out that “If your finances have changed markedly since you wrote your will, you should check your estate plan to see if you need to make any changes.” This is especially true if your plan includes “specific… Read More
Feds to Seize Madoff’s (and his Wife’s) Assets
Although I’m sure that it is of little comfort to his victims who had their lives ruined (and there are quite a few of them here in South Florida), the United States Government has filed a notice of intent to seek the forfeiture of not only Bernard Madoff’s assets, but also the assets of his… Read More
Don’t let the state decide how your property is disposed of upon your death
I meet people all the time — single people, married people, with and without children who have none of their estate planning documents in place. There are a number of reasons as to why people don’t get their documents in order — worry about the cost is often a reason given (although it does not… Read More
