Attorneys And Counsellors At Law
Do you know what will happen to your assets after you pass? If you’re like most people, you think of a will as the way to ensure your wishes are carried out with the dispersal of your assets. But wills aren’t the only documents that can do this. Trusts are […] Read more »
In the past two decades, the number of unmarried couples living together in the U.S. has nearly tripled from 6 million to 17 million, but that does not mean they have the same rights that married couples have. If you aren’t married, and your partner dies, that can affect your […] Read more »
If you die without legally designating in a “last will and testament” how your assets will be distributed and who is your executor, the court will appoint an executor and provide for the distribution of your assets through a slow (and potentially expensive to your heirs) process called probate of […] Read more »
Appointing a trust protector can add a checks and balances system to your estate plan, says SmolenPlevy Principals Jason Smolen and Dan Ruttenberg. Read more »
Estate planning typically focuses on what happens to your assets when you die. But it’s equally important (some might say more important) to have a plan for making critical financial and medical decisions if you’re unable to make those decisions yourself. SmolenPlevy Principals Jason Smolen and Dan Ruttenberg say […] Read more »
People can inherit a variety of assets like a home, money and other items laid out in a will. But what happens with one’s retirement accounts? They can be inherited, but like all other inheritable items, it is important to know what the law says in your state. What is […] Read more »
You have no legal parental right to make medical and financial decisions for your 18-year-old. Parents are used to signing all sorts of documents for their younger children — permission slips, liability waivers, medical releases. That shouldn’t end completely when a child reaches 18, becomes a legal adult, and heads […] Read more »
After a divorce, you most likely want to move on and leave that relationship in the past, but that can be hard when you have estate planning documents with your ex-partner’s name on them. If you’re going through a divorce, remember to update your will and other estate planning documents […] Read more »
Many people choose to craft a living will as part of their estate plan. These documents serve as a directive that can help protect incapacitated people from getting unwanted medical treatment. The estate planning process can be intimidating and sometimes confusing, but knowing your options can create peace of mind. […] Read more »
Co-written by: Jason D Smolen, JD – Founding Principal, SmolenPlevy Ryan Bartholomew, JD, LLM – Principal & Counselor, GW & Wade Sherman Moore – Vice President, Client Development, GW & Wade One of the most discussed trust and estate tools worth considering in 2021 is the Spousal Limited Access Trusts […] Read more »
Unmarried couples face many of the same estate planning concerns as married couples. However, married couples can use more advantageous estate planning strategies than unmarried couples. Estate planning attorneys Jason Smolen and Dan Ruttenberg say this means unmarried couples must engage in special planning to ensure that their decisions regarding […] Read more »
It’s the perfect time to think about some (realistic) New Year’s resolutions for 2022. Typically, many of us gravitate toward resolutions like losing weight, saving money, and traveling more. Reevaluating your estate plan may not seem as glamorous, but it serves as an achievable and important long-term goal for you […] Read more »
Estate planning is likely not the first thing on your to-do list after a major life change occurs. However, big events like a marriage, birth, divorce or death are often good reminders to review your beneficiary designations named in your life insurance policies and ensure they are up to date […] Read more »
If you’re the owner of a small business, you may think of your tight-knit group of employees as a family. SmolenPlevy Principals Jason Smolen and Dan Ruttenberg say it’s critical to be aware of possible unintended tax consequences if you wish to include them as beneficiaries in your estate plan. Read more »
For many people, leaving a legacy for their children, grandchildren, and future generations is an important goal of the estate plan. Providing for their educational needs is a great way to ensure financial security for their future. A 529 plan can be a highly effective tool for funding tuition and […] Read more »
