As a probate attorney, one of the most common questions I hear from families is about student loan debt after death. With student loan debt in America reaching unprecedented levels, this topic affects many families during probate administration.Read More
Regarding trusts and taxation, three main types of taxes often come up: income taxes, estate taxes, and generation-skipping taxes. For this discussion, we’ll focus solely on how trusts are taxed for income tax purposes, as this is often the most relevant and frequently misunderstood aspect of trust taxation.Read More
When a loved one passes away, settling their estate can be complex, especially if you’re unfamiliar with their financial affairs. I often hear concerns from family members about missing assets or incomplete information. Let’s address these everyday worries and explore what happens in these situations. The Challenge of Incomplete Information It’s not uncommon for the...Read More
April marks Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month, bringing attention to an emotional challenge that many of us will eventually encounter: the loss of a life partner. It’s a difficult transition, and no matter how well-prepared we might think we are, the reality is always a tough journey. Beyond the emotional adjustment, there are practical and...Read More
When you’re named a beneficiary of a trust, it’s natural to have questions about your inheritance and the trustee’s actions. Knowing your rights is essential in ensuring transparency and fair management. Here, our trust lawyers shed light on the powers and responsibilities at play. Your Rights as a Beneficiary Right to Information: As a beneficiary,...Read More
If you have suffered the loss of your life partner, my heart goes out to you: few things in this world are quite as devastating. As a probate lawyer, I know grief can debilitate, and the ‘to-do’ list in the immediate aftermath can seem impossible to manage. Please understand: you need to give yourself a...Read More
If you are serving as the executor of someone’s will, one of the most important tasks you will need to do is to complete an inventory of the decedent’s estate. This could feel like an overwhelming process, especially if the deceased person had a lot of assets. However, knowing more about the process you are...Read More
Losing a loved one is an emotional and life-changing experience. You might be tasked with the responsibility of settling the estate while also grieving your loss. It can be a challenging time in anyone’s life. However, it becomes complicated when you must go through probate for out-of-state property. Many people move to various states throughout...Read More
A Will is a legal document that controls where your assets go upon your passing. A Will only controls assets that are in your name alone. The will also has to go through a Court process called Probate to give legal authority to the executor (person who fulfils the directions in the will) at the...Read More
Truth be told, none of us knows what the future holds. The outcome of US tax legislation proposals remains highly uncertain. It is unclear whether estate and gift tax exemptions will be cut in half, but whatever happens will affect all deaths and transfer of wealth after December 31, 2021. As part of your asset...Read More