If you are you married and you plan on leaving anything to your spouse when you are gone, you have lots of options. There are many ways to leave an inheritance to your spouse. If you are not currently or …
Currently browsing Estate Planning
Recognizing the need for assistance
Things just aren’t the same anymore. Going up and down the stairs is a lot slower these days. Using a grabber is a lot easier to use than trying to bend down and pick things up off the floor. Going …
Shackup Agreement
You have decided to move in with your partner. You have a committed relationship that may even have been blessed by your church, but for a variety of reasons, you will not be married. It could be that you are …
Survivors Not Responsible for Deceased’s Debts
Although I have written about this before, it bears repeating. With the economy faltering, creditors are looking for ways to minimize their losses. It seems that they have stepped up efforts going after people who have no legal obligation to …
November Savvy Save Millions in Estate & Gift Taxes in 2012
Especially with the presidential election this year, you have probably been hearing about the “temporary” Bush tax cuts that were implemented in 2001 and are scheduled to expire January 1, 2013. In 2012, tax rates are near historic lows. However, …
You May Be a Stockholder and Not Know It
You have had a life insurance policy for decades. It may even have been one of the infant policies taken out by your parents in the 1920s, 1930s or 1940s. Although I wasn’t around at the time, many of my …
New MI Financial Power of Attorney Statute
There are new rules in Michigan for financial powers of attorneys. All financial powers of attorney that you sign after September 30, 2012 must comply with the new rules. If you don’t, your financial power of attorney may not be …
How to Protect Your Property From Yourself
If you are like most people, you are concerned about what happens to your property and other stuff after you become “old and funny.” You have worked hard your entire life to accumulate what you have and you want to …
Taxation of Tax-Advantaged Accounts
I received a text message from my 24 year old son Luke the other day. Luke graduated from college earlier this year. For the first time in his life, Luke has signed up to participate in a retirement program, his …
Healthy Aging
The month of September brings a welcome relief from the hot summer days. Cool evening breezes and colorful foliage appearing on the trees may entice you to walk and bask in healthy fresh air. September has also been designated as …