A Health Care Power of Attorney appoints someone to make decisions for you if you’re not able to do so for yourself. An Advance Directive expresses your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to have them up-to-date. by Steve Hartnett In the United States alone, the pandemic has infected nearly 7 million people and has killed nearly 200,000 of them. In today’s pandemic, it’s more important than ever to make sure your estate planning … [Read more...] about Staying Current is Especially Important in the Pandemic
Legal Education
Generational Wealth is Key to Leveling the Playing Field
Generational wealth is wealth earned by one generation and passed on to the next. Generational wealth is key to allowing the next generation to be free from the burden of having to live hand-to-mouth and allows them to pursue an education and build a career or business to build a better life for themselves. by Steve Hartnett Even a little bit of a headstart can be extremely helpful in life. Those who start with little economic wealth, including many minorities and recent immigrants, face … [Read more...] about Generational Wealth is Key to Leveling the Playing Field
Fair Isn’t Always Equal and Vice Versa
When you’re deciding how your assets should be divided at death, sometimes dividing them equally is the appropriate choice. But, sometimes it’s not. Fair isn’t always equal or vice versa. Read on to learn more, including how to avoid a challenge if you choose an unequal division among your children. by Steve Hartnett When deciding how to split your assets among your children at death, there are many different factors to consider. Equality is certainly one of those factors. But it’s … [Read more...] about Fair Isn’t Always Equal and Vice Versa
Chadwick Boseman Demonstrates the Importance of Planning
by Steve Hartnett Chadwick Boseman played many heroic American roles and the superhero role of the Black Panther. His death at age 43 demonstrated how it’s important to have at least a basic estate plan in place even if you’re young. The star of multiple films, including the blockbuster superhero film “Black Panther,” died on August 28 of colon cancer. “Black Panther” by Marvel was nominated for 6 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film grossed over $1.3 billion … [Read more...] about Chadwick Boseman Demonstrates the Importance of Planning
Staying Current is Especially Important in the Pandemic
The President’s bout with COVID-19 demonstrates the importance of keeping planning current. A Health Care Power of Attorney appoints someone to make decisions for you if you’re not able to do so for yourself. An Advance Directive expresses your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions. by Steve Hartnett President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced they tested positive for COVID-19. Around the same time, numerous others at the White House also tested positive. In the United … [Read more...] about Staying Current is Especially Important in the Pandemic
Use the Exclusion or Lose It
Currently, each person can give $11.58 million during life or at death. However, that amount will be cut in half by January 1, 2026. It may go down even sooner. Read on to learn why and how you should use it before you lose it. by Steve Hartnett In 2020, each person can give away $11.58 million during life. Whatever portion they haven’t used during life, they can use it at death. However, that generous exclusion will be cut in half at the end of 2025. Beginning in 2026, the … [Read more...] about Use the Exclusion or Lose It
Will Your Estate Plan Still Work If You Move?
Before the pandemic, Americans were more mobile than ever. When you move, you have to change your address, your voter registration, and all sorts of other things. But, do you need to revise your estate planning documents? Like with many things in law, it depends on your situation. by Steve Hartnett In the prior decade, millions of Americans moved each year. Here’s a link for more information on moving in America. Often, people wonder, “What happens to my estate plan if I move?” … [Read more...] about Will Your Estate Plan Still Work If You Move?
How Will You Obtain the Care You Need?
What’s the right direction for you in planning for the help you might need in the future? Seven in ten of us will need long-term care at some point in our lives. Here are possible paths for covering the assistance you may need. by Steve Hartnett Young nurse is taking elder man’s blood As Americans grow older, more and more of us need help with our daily activities. It could be a little help or a lot of help, depending on the situation. Of course, the level of assistance we need … [Read more...] about How Will You Obtain the Care You Need?
Removing Life Insurance Without Triggering the Transfer for Value Rule
Life insurance is included in the taxable estate typically. A trust is a great way to remove the value of life insurance from the taxable estate. But there are two potential traps in this. The prior article examined the first trap, the three-year lookback of Section 2035. This article will examine how the Transfer for Value rule can make life insurance taxable. Read on to learn more about how to avoid the income taxation of life insurance. by Steve Hartnett This is the second in a … [Read more...] about Removing Life Insurance Without Triggering the Transfer for Value Rule
Removing Life Insurance from the Taxable Estate
Life insurance is included in the taxable estate typically. A trust is a great way to remove the value of life insurance from the estate. But, there are two potential traps in this. by Steve Hartnett This is the first in a two-part series of articles regarding life insurance and removing it from the taxable estate. This first article examines why life insurance is in the taxable estate and how to remove it. The second article will examine the application of the “Transfer for Value” … [Read more...] about Removing Life Insurance from the Taxable Estate
