Arguably one of the most popular events of the Summer Games is women’s gymnastics. Simone Biles, along with several familiar faces are going for gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics, and it promises excitement. You may be wondering why an estate planning law firm in Lynnfield, MA, is writing about the 2024 Summer Olympics women’s gymnastics team. However, there are numerous parallels between estate planning and gymnastics when we take a closer look.
Overcoming Obstacles: Navigating Estate Planning Challenges
Athletes face numerous obstacles when preparing for the Summer Olympics, from injuries to the pressure and stress of competing for their country. These challenges test their agility, strategy, and resilience. Similarly, in estate planning, there are many obstacles or “challenges” that must be overcome to ensure a smooth transition of wealth and assets. While some challenges may seem obvious, there are others that our team has the experience to anticipate and address, helping you prepare for the future. [Read more…]
Every 4 years, a change in our Presidential elections results in a flurry of literature, workshops, and newsletters regarding potential changes in income and estate tax laws. This year was no exception, as the significant increase in the federal deficit resulting from costs associated with COVID-19 has placed more pressure on tax increases, including potential tax increases in the estate planning realm. The federal exemption amount, which is $11.7 million as of January 1, 2021, will, under the current law, decrease to about $6.7 million in 2026. Many believe that this decrease in the coupon will occur earlier or may even go down below the $6.7M returning to the former $3.5M. All of this is speculation at this point, but we must be prepared to act quickly, as some of these tax law changes may act retroactively.
This is Part 3 of the Top Ten Mistakes blog series. Click here to catch up on Part 1 and here for Part 2.
Today we’re going to wrap up our series on the mistakes we often see in estate planning. While we’re all about planning here at Family Estate Planning Law Group (it’s even in our name), we know that some plans work better than others. Here are our last three reasons why:
Many people come to this conclusion because they know that if their estate planning attorney spends an hour talking to their financial planner, they are going to get billed for it. Perhaps you have learned this the hard way. While financial planners, CPAs, insurance professionals, and attorneys practicing in other areas all concentrate on different things, they often overlap, particularly when it comes to your estate plan. Doesn’t it make sense for your team of professionals to start talking to each other now, instead of having to try to figure it out once you are not around to make decisions to clarify things anymore?
The solution to this problem is both simple and challenging. The simple part is to get your team of professionals talking to each other now. The challenging part is to find professionals who won’t charge you by the hour. Working with an estate planning attorney with an ongoing care program allows you to feel confident that they are coordinating with the people they need to in order to make sure your plan is going to work without always having to worry about what the bill is going to be at the end. [Read more…]
This is Part 2 of the Top Ten Mistakes blog series. Click here to catch up on Part 1.
In our last blog, we discussed the first four mistakes you can make: Procrastination, assuming wills or trusts avoid probate, leaving assets to a child or special needs beneficiary (directly), and assuming trusts take away beneficiary control. Today we’ll look at the next three.
Have you organized all your financial records, deeds, tax information, insurance information, and estate planning documents in one secure place or central location? Does your family know where that is? Do they know what medications you take or who your doctors are? How about your lawyers, accountants, or financial planners? These are all things you might want to consider at any time, but they are especially critical now during this pandemic when things can change quickly.
If your financial information and records are not organized before death or disability (by you, the person who knows where everything is), your loved ones can be left with a morbid scavenger hunt trying to find and recreate financial information and records during an emotionally difficult time. This may keep them from being able to make timely, important financial decisions. Your family will not be able to handle your affairs, take care of you, or advocate on your behalf during the pandemic if they can’t find your information or do not have legal authority to do so.
The solution to this mistake is to work with an estate planning attorney who has an ongoing care program. Here at Family Estate Planning Law Group, our initial intake process helps you to identify all your assets as well as the team of professionals that you work with. We then track any changes because it doesn’t matter what you own today; it matters what you own when you die or become incapacitated.
In addition to working with an attorney with a client care program, we also suggest having a Family Care MeetingTM where you invite your caregivers (children) and your professionals (financial planners, CPAs, etc.) to discuss your plan so everyone understands how it will work.
Finally, we love the “Grab and Go” Kit suggested by Healthassist which you can check out here. It’s a list of things you might want to have readily available in case you get suddenly ill and have to go to the hospital during this pandemic. [Read more…]
Although most of us probably cannot even imagine a scenario where we would refuse an inheritance, there are actually situations where it would make sense. Some of these situations include:
You may have wondered at some point in your life what would happen to your assets if you were to unexpectedly die. If you are like most of us, you quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of your mind, vowing to deal with them “later.” While few of us want to sit down and think about our eventual death, most adults recognize it is a topic that should be addressed. Many who have taken the step to have an estate plan drawn up may still find it awkward or uncomfortable to talk to family members about the estate plan.
It is extremely important to talk about your long-term care plans with your adult children or others who would be left to deal with your estate in the event of your death or incapacitation. Just remember, it is much better to have these conversations now than to wait until it is too late. Family Estate Planning Law Group’s Family Care Meeting™ is a great way to begin talks with your family about your estate plan. By bringing together your team, which can include your loved ones, our attorney team, a financial advisor, accountant, or any other professional you want to be included, the Family Care Meeting™ opens up communication, facilitating the conversation and answering questions from all those involved. [Read more…]
Understanding the difference between capital gains and dividend income can have an impact on portfolios and tax planning. That includes the difference in how these two incomes are taxed, says Investopedia in the article, “Capital Gains vs. Dividend Income: What’s the Difference?”
Capital is the initial sum invested. A capital gain is a profit you get when an investment is sold for a higher price than the original purchase price. An investor doesn’t realize a capital gain until an investment is sold for a profit.
On the other hand, dividends are assets paid out of the profits of a corporation to the stockholders. The dividends an investor receives aren’t capital gains. This is treated as income for that tax year.
