Howard Hughes Estate Settled… After 34 Years

Howard Hughes Estate Probate Debacle

The Howard Hughes Estate The impossible has happened. No, the federal government hasn’t done away with all death taxes. No, ice cream is not free. No, it’s more astounding than that. Howard Hughes, who died in 1976, will finally have his estate settled and closed. And it only took 34 years! Howard Hughes, the eccentric […]

Legal Duct Tape Item of the Month: Masking Tape is Not an Estate Plan

With all of the information out there about estate planning, it astounds me how far the misinformation goes. However, there are people who will believe what they want to believe, especially if it means they can be lazy about actually doing something. Recently, a member of my family was discussing their own estate plan and told me and some other family members that all of their furniture was marked with masking tape with people’s names on it, and when they died, that’s who the furniture was supposed to go to. I was speechless for a few moments. I asked if they actually talked to an attorney, and they said they talked to their friend who used to work at a bank, and that person assured them that the masking tape technique would work.

Online Tools for Moms and Families to Stay Organized

The buzzwords of tablets and social media have jumped over the age-barrier and now serve as an integral part of organization. Four such companies have taken to the forefront to bridge the gap between crucial information and a near-limitless, secure style of storing information. CareZone, AboutOne, Cozi, and MotherKnows have all offered their unique services to help ease the lives of caretakers, patients and families. In this article, we will compare and contrast these four companies to see which truly help alleviate the stress of families, caretakers and patients alike.

Trust Under Will Scam

OK, the word “scam” may be harsh sounding, but the way some attorneys use it does sum things up pretty accurately. I have been getting a lot of questions lately from clients and financial advisors about what a “trust under will” does and how some clients are being told by other attorneys that it is a way to avoid probate. Basically, a trust under will is a trust that becomes active after death, and the terms of the trust are spelled out in the Last Will and Testament, such as inheritance age limits. These testamentary trusts will even have a proper name, and now financial accounts and life insurance can list the proper name of the “trust under will” as the beneficiary. And because the account pays directly into this trust, we are told “there is no probate.”

How to Choose a Tax Preparer

WHAT ARE THE PREPARERS QUALIFICATIONS?: All tax preparers are required to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Ask what license(s) they have (Enrolled Agent, CPA, or Attorney). You want your preparer to at least be a Registered Tax Return Preparer and have met minimal competency requirements. Ask if they are affiliated with any professional organizations. Most professional organizations require their members to take continuing education.

Four Basic Long Term Care Options

Which Option is Best?

When deciding what type of long term care is best for you or a loved one, there are many options to choose from, depending on the living environment desired and level of care needed. I like to narrow it down to four basic options.

What Do Same Sex Couples Need to Get Married in NC

Now that marriage is legal for all of those wishing to tie the knot – including same-gender couples – below is what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply. Wake County’s Register of Deeds recommends getting this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your ceremony date. A marriage licenses issued in North Carolina may be used in any county in North Carolina, is good immediately upon issuance, and is valid for 60 days. The original license must be returned to the county where it was issued.

Marketing Assistant, Leah Campbell, Joins Firm

I am pleased to introduce myself as the newest staff member of the firm. I joined Jeff’s team in October and will be assisting with client development activities. The staff has been wonderful and made me feel comfortable from day one. Even Brandeis and Ginsburg seemed to give me a warm welcome with a few heart-felt croaks.

I was looking forward to working with the firm since my initial interview with Kathy. During our meeting we discussed the areas in which Jeff concentrates his practice. His legal services and estate planning for people with special needs was of particular interest, as it would be for anyone whose child has a disability. My son “Jake” was born with cognitive dysfunction and processing issues.

A Little Known VA Benefit

If you know a Senior Veteran (over 65) or a Widow of a Veteran who served during a time of war, it’s very likely they are unaware that there is a VA Benefit that can help them pay for their long term care needs.

How To Talk With Your Parents About Estate Planning

Talking with a parent about their estate planning is never easy, but it is a crucial conversation. Less than a week ago I met with a young woman in Statesville whose father passed on without any estate plan. Unfortunately, she received an inheritance of about $60,000 that made her ineligible to receive her social security disability benefits and unless she spent the money down to under $2,000 by today she also would be removed from the Medicaid program and have to pay for her extremely expensive medicine out of pocket. She would then have to go through the whole Medicaid application process again. If the father had simply put her inheritance into a special needs trust, she would have had that money available to supplement the things Medicaid and social security didn’t handle.