The conventional wisdom holds that it is always better to inherit a Roth IRA than a traditional IRA. However, the truth is that which one is better depends on the circumstances. It is easy to understand why most people think it is always better to inherit a Roth IRA than a traditional IRA. Distributions from [...]
Estate executors are entitled to reasonable fees for their work in administering estates. The fees requested by Leona Helmsley's executors test the definition of "reasonable." Leona Helmsley's estate has received lots of attention for the large amount of money she left for her dog, an amount that was later reduced by a judge. What most [...]
Nothing good comes out of failing to update the beneficiaries on your retirement plans, insurance policies and other accounts. Most people have no desire to give their ex-spouses large sums of money years after the divorce. However, as the USA Today explains in "Your ex could get rich if you don't update your beneficiaries," it [...]
An estate case highlights how the Supreme Court's decision legalizing gay marriage will require interpretation of couples' relationship statuses before the ruling took effect. In 2002, Mauricio Leyton and his partner David Hunter had a commitment ceremony. This was a ceremony some homosexual couples used to signify their lifetime commitment when they were not allowed [...]
An estate case highlights how the Supreme Court's decision legalizing gay marriage will require interpretation of couples' relationship statuses before the ruling took effect. In 2002, Mauricio Leyton and his partner David Hunter had a commitment ceremony. This was a ceremony some homosexual couples used to signify their lifetime commitment when they were not allowed [...]
The earlier that Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed the better it is for the patient and family members, but there is currently no way to definitely diagnose the disease while a person is alive. It turns out that the small of urine might hold the key. Researchers, doctors, elder law advocates and elder law attorneys have [...]
Not many people use safe deposit boxes anymore. Some banks are not installing any in their newest branches. If that prevents people from placing their wills in the boxes, then it is a good thing? A recent blog by a South Coast Today writer somewhat laments the decline of safe deposit boxes. The article is [...]
For many people, acting as the executor of an estate will be one of the most stressful things they will ever do. A recent headline in the Globe and Mail reads "Being executor of a will likely 'most stressful experience you'll ever have'." While that is something of a hyperbole, it is true that being [...]
If you have put off calling an estate planning attorney until it is absolute necessary, then you need to know when that is. The answer to the question of when you should call an estate planning attorney is "Now" if you do not have an estate plan. There is never a good reason not to [...]
Laws are continuously changing and your trusts should change with them. Trusts have a time-honored and ancient tradition. There is no shortage of occasions where one person wants a third-party to manage property for the benefit of someone else, which is basically what a trust is. A settlor creates the trust and a trustee manages [...]