The tax overhaul from 2017 has prompted many people to rethink their overall estate and tax strategies. The coronavirus pandemic has also made it easier for some of America's wealthiest families to pass on assets to their grandchildren and children tax fr ...
How Do You Account for Loans and Gifts to Your Children in Your Estate Plan?
Most parents want to do everything they can to minimize the possibility of conflict among their loved ones after the parents pass away. Unfortunately, conflicts can arise if you have loaned or gifted money to certain children and not others. Having a ...
How Long Does It Really Take for an Estate to Be Settled?
If someone passes away in Virginia there are many different details that must be handled by the person appointed to take over administration of the estate. This can also be complicated if the person’s information or assets can’t be easily found. If it ...
What Is the Job of a Financial Power of Attorney?
Has a loved one recently named you as their financial power of attorney? Do you understand all of the potential responsibilities that this entails? Hopefully you won’t need to spring into action as a financial power of attorney agent immediately, but it i ...
Is My Will Valid in Virginia?
Every estate planning document has its own execution requirements in order for it to be viewed as valid in Virginia. A typewritten will typically must be signed in the presence of two witnesses. However, there is no existing requirement in Virginia that t ...
Can You Challenge A Trust Based on Alleged Undue Influence?
The creation of a trust is a common and a very popular choice among people who are looking for greater levels of privacy and control over their assets. However, other family members or friends who might have pushed a loved one to create a trust could crea ...
You Need to Have a Will Regardless of Your Age
It doesn't matter whether you've just turned 18 or are approaching turning 100, it's still important to be able to tell people what your wishes are in the event that you cannot tell them on your own. It's all too easy to put off these important decisions ...
Three Signs That Your Estate Plan Might Not Be Up to Par
If you think you accomplished estate planning by sitting down several years ago with an estate planning attorney but your life circumstances have changed since then or if you used an online form that you're not even sure is valid in your situation, these ...
It’s Been a Few Years- Do I Really Need a New Estate Plan?
There are no hard and fast rules about how often you should review your estate plan. However, it’s a good idea to have a minimum of taking a deep look at it at least once per year. This is due to changes in the tax code and changes in the economy can be a ...
Understanding A Health Care Power of Attorney: Do You Need One?
Every American should have access to a health care power of attorney that has been drafted or reviewed by an experienced estate planning lawyer. This is a document that you hope that you never have to use but one that will make things much easier for your ...