What happens when part or all of one's estate property is contaminated land?

While there are U.S. laws in place to protect those who buy or sell contaminated property, there is little legal protection for heirs of such property. For this reason, estate planning attorneys rarely discuss this subject with their clients. Unfortunately,...

How should you handle requests for loans from those you love?

We all know how "'tis better to give than to receive," and how wonderful it feels to be able to make a positive difference in the lives of those close to you. Nonetheless, even if you are living comfortably in retirement, depleting...

With the passage of the historic End of Life Option Act, the topic of end-of-life decision making has been once again thrust to the forefront. For those who may be unfamiliar with this law, it was executed in October 2015, and allows licensed physicians – at the direction of their...

Should I consider obtaining long-term care insurance as part of my estate planning?

People are living longer today, and this means making plans for long-term care. If an individual experiences a serious long-term care event that requires extensive medical treatment or entering a long-term care facility, the costs can be exorbitant. By failing...

What types of estate planning techniques are utilized by high-net worth individuals and families?

As news of singer David Bowie’s death made headlines on January 11, 2016, many were in shock and disbelief that the 69-year old had so quickly succumbed to cancer – a fact not publicly revealed despite an 18-month battle. In...

What are some of the things you can do to make your passing easier on your family?

No one wants to die.  It is sad to think that one-day you will be separated from your spouse and other loved ones by death.  But, this is a reality that we all must face. ...

What estate planning documents do I need to have in place? Many people put off establishing an estate plan either because they believe (wrongly) that they do not need an estate plan because they do not have substantial assets. While planning an estate can be daunting due to the complexities of federal and state laws,...

It is never too early for parents to begin estate planning. In fact, the months before the new baby arrives may be a perfect time to address financial issues that may otherwise get indefinitely postponed once the life-changing event takes place. There are several steps that expectant parents can take to help...