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Bankruptcy can be incredibly stressful for anyone to go through. Once your matter has been closed, you may wonder what the next steps are. To ensure that you protect your remaining accounts and property as well as yourself and your loved ones, we encourage you to consider an estate plan as your roadmap into the […]

Most people usually think about who will receive their retirement and bank accounts, life insurance proceeds, real estate, and other valuable possessions upon their death. However, a person’s personal property (their stuff) can also be a source of value that needs to be addressed. When looking to start or continue your estate planning journey, ask

Many believe that once they set up and fund a revocable living trust, property held in the trust will completely avoid federal estate taxes after they die. In reality, a living trust does not provide any unique estate tax avoidance strategies. The primary mechanisms for reducing estate taxes—the unlimited marital deduction and the charitable deduction—apply whether

There is nothing quite like ice cream on a warm summer day served just the way you like it. You are outside, maybe on a shaded bench or strolling down the boardwalk, sun on your face with a light breeze cutting the heat. The cone is crisp, the flavor is superb, and the toppings are

Different Flavors of Transferring Your Money and Property Outside of Probate It is summertime, and the living is easy. Maybe you spent the day out on the boat, at the beach, or at home relaxing in your most comfortable lounge chair. As the sun sets, you have a hankering for a sweet treat and decide to get some ice cream—a no-brainer in July, National Ice Cream Month. Do you want to eat what is in the freezer or go out? Should you order online or decide at the window? Cone or cup? Dairy or nondairy? What flavor are you craving? You are facing what is known as the “ice

As much as Americans love ice cream, our tastes run pretty plain. Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry consistently dominate “Top 5” flavor lists.1 When we add toppings, we usually reach for the familiar—sauces, nuts, and sprinkles. Some people go for bolder choices such as candy or cereal, but toppings generally rank lower in importance compared to flavor, price, or portion size. Still, the abundance of available flavors and toppings exists for a reason: People have different tastes and want different things, some simple, others more sophisticated. They may start with the basics, then mix in layers to

As a single individual, you may feel overwhelmed when you think about who will step in and make decisions for you if you cannot make decisions for yourself and who will receive your money and property when you die. You may consider your parents or siblings, but depending on whether they are living and the

As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency in life. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury, or chronic medical condition can force you to reevaluate the core assumptions you used to plan

As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and addresses the things

People often set up bank accounts or real estate so that they own them jointly with a spouse or other family member. The appeal of joint ownership, specifically with survivorship rights, is that when one owner dies, the other owner(s) will automatically inherit the property without it having to go through probate. Also, joint property