Just the FAQs, Ma’am (Vol. 2)
Basic Estate Planning & A Revocable Living Trust As part of getting back to basics for people searching for basic estate planning answers, I’m continuing to cover some basic questions that come from Henry W. Abts III’s book The Living Trust in its Appendix G. While the questions are coming from the book, the answers […]
The Medicaid Squeeze Can Be Reversed
The Medicaid Squeeze The intricate maze of Medicaid Planning confuses even seasoned professionals if they don’t focus on this type of planning in their daily practice, and it’s easy to find differing opinions. Accountants cringe when told to liquidate an IRA because they’re used to minimizing taxes. Bankers gasp when told to liquidate or just […]
Charity Minefields in Estate Planning
Charity Giving Giving to charities through gifting and estate planning can provide many rewards, and not just a good feeling knowing you are helping others. There are plenty of tax breaks that can come along with being charitable. However, there are also several minefields that can unintentionally hurt you and your loved ones if the […]
Preview of “Estate Planning Basics” Audiobook
The keystone to our law office’s estate planning process is my book Estate Planning Basics, provided as required reading for every Estate Strategy Session with clients wishing to discuss their estate planning goals. That in combination with filling out a basic questionnaire means our clients don’t waste our valuable time together with me transcribing names, […]
I’m Moving Out of State… Is My Trust Still Good?
I’m Moving Out Of State “Is my trust still good?” I get this question all the time when clients move to my state of North Carolina, or when my clients are moving to other states. The question really is “Do I need to update my estate plan?” In this video, I cover the checklist process […]
Will Bank Honor Pre-Arranged Payments After Death?
Pre-Arranged Payments – Simple Solution It seems like there should be a simple solution, but often the simplest solutions have the most complex ramifications and pitfalls. In this blog, I review two posts from Reddit about different options to make sure critical transfers or payments from an account will continue even after death. But can […]
Joint vs Individual Trusts for a Couple
The Pro-Con Checklist for What’s Right for YOUR Situation This happens quite frequently when couple-clients move to the area, ask to meet with me about updating their current estate plan… and they have two trusts. Or when meeting with clients who want to avoid probate for their estate, but are just starting to learn about […]
The Importance of Trust Funding For Your Estate
[Please note that this is a frequent “reprint” article for our office. We intentionally re-release this important information every six months to our clients through the newsletter and blog to emphasize how critical asset titling and beneficiary designation selection is to make sure a revocable living trust plan is properly maintained. If you have any […]
What You Need to Know About Open Enrollment
Jeff speaks with Elizabeth Gholson of IPA Family about Open Enrollment, which runs from November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016.
What Steps Should I Take if I think My Child May Have Developmental Issues?
Jeff speaks with Wendy Partin, the Executive Director of the White Plains Children’s Center in Cary about identifying children who may have developmental issues.