Category Archives: Estate Planning
6 estate planning steps for new parents
When your first child is born, you’re obsessed with setting up the nursery, getting baby clothes, and trying to figure out a brand new sleep schedule. Provided you can sleep at all, that is. This is an exciting and chaotic time, a huge transition in your life, and there’s a lot to be done…. Read More »
Special needs families & retirement: Three steps to success
It is common for parents to do everything they can to help better ensure their children’s happiness. Ideally, we hope that our little loved ones will find independence as well. Many do, some do not. Some require extra care as a result of a physical or mental disability. In these situations, parents still wish… Read More »
Does it Matter if Federal Estate Taxes Go Away Under President Trump?
Candidate Donald Trump said and tweeted a great many things when he ran for president. While his views on immigration and the weight of beauty contestants received a lot of attention, the candidate also vowed to repeal the federal estate and gift tax for everyone. Now that he is President-elect Trump and the Republicans… Read More »
Why is estate planning important?
The common expression “out of sight, out of mind,” is often used to describe conditions or issues that should be addressed but that are not encountered in everyday life and are subsequently often remain overlooked and unaddressed. This is especially true with a person planning for the future, including his or her estate planning…. Read More »
Estate tax turns 100: A brief review of the law on its centennial
The estate tax is celebrating a monumental birthday this year. The law, originally enacted as part of the Revenue Act of 1916 under Woodrow Wilson, is celebrating its centennial. As with most momentous birthday celebrations, the event provides an opportunity to reflect on where the tax has been, where it is, and where it… Read More »
What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a legal instrument that allows a designated person to act on your behalf. They are your agent and have authority to make decisions. The range of decisions they can make depends on which Power of Attorney you have executed, there are three. The 3 types of Power of Attorney… Read More »
What is a health proxy?
Some Ft. Myers residents are familiar with the basic types of estate planning documents. They may know about the importance of a will and how a trust can also be an integral part of their estate plan. They may even know about the importance of a power of attorney (POA) and how that document… Read More »
What you need to know about the Medicaid look-back period and long-term care
Estate planning needs to take into account if one or both spouses will need to tap into Medicaid for long-term care needs. Unlike Medicare which is an insurance program, Medicaid is a social welfare program with certain eligibility requirements. These programs are not only called Medicaid, for example, California has Medi-Cal and Wisconsin has… Read More »
Estate planning with stepchildren: what to know
Estate planning is often a very helpful tool when it comes to making sure that any assets you have are distributed the right way after your death. However, a remarriage and stepchildren can complicate things and make estate planning more difficult. If you find yourself in that situation, though, it becomes more important than… Read More »
Is it ever too late to create an estate plan?
Plan. Do you have an overall plan for your life? The dream job and how to achieve it. Your perfect home and family. Retirement, or work that dream job forever. Estate plans outline the end-game, your legacy, the gift of your life-long achievements. Who do you want to design your legacy, your life’s work?… Read More »
