Are My Beneficiary Designations Trouble for My Heirs?

June 6, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Most consumers are familiar with the beneficiary designation form they complete when opening an IRA or 401(k). The form designates who receives the asset, if the account owner dies. However, these forms can create confusion, unintended bequests and family turmoil, if not adequately monitored.

Estate Planning for Family-Owned Farmland

May 16, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Business Planning, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Estate Planning for Family-Owned Farmland JANUARY 3, 2019 | POSTED IN: WEALTH STRATEGIES Family farms, particularly in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, are often maintained for generations. In many cases, these are one of or the dominant asset in the…

5 Strategies to Keep Your Heirs From Blowing Their Inheritance

May 15, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Business Planning, Estate Planning

5 Strategies to Keep Your Heirs From Blowing Their Inheritance Preserving the family money beyond a few generations isn't an easy task. From Kiplinger's Personal Finance, November 2015 From shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations, goes the early 20th-century American proverb. Then…

A Letter of Instruction Can Spare Your Heirs Great Stress

May 10, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

A Letter of Instruction Can Spare Your Heirs Great Stress While it is important to have an updated estate plan, there is a lot of information that your heirs should know that doesn't necessarily fit into a will, trust or…

Charitable Giving and Your Estate Plan

Giving appreciated stock shares, donating your RMDs and using charitable remainder trusts are just a few of the options you may not be aware of to help charities and your heirs at the same time.

How Bad Can a Do-It-Yourself Estate Plan Be? Very!

March 10, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Business Planning, Estate Planning, Life Insurance, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

One Justice from the Florida Supreme Court commented that the expensive litigation far outweighed any savings resulting from the pre-printed form.

Avoiding Probate with a Trust

February 24, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Life Insurance, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

In other words, family members who are not named to inherit anything in the will may still see the list of all of the assets. If you don’t want that result, you can avoid it by establishing a trust.

Heirs

Are My Beneficiary Designations Trouble for My Heirs?

Estate Planning for Family-Owned Farmland

5 Strategies to Keep Your Heirs From Blowing Their Inheritance

A Letter of Instruction Can Spare Your Heirs Great Stress

Charitable Giving and Your Estate Plan

How Bad Can a Do-It-Yourself Estate Plan Be? Very!

Avoiding Probate with a Trust

What’s Better, A Living Trust or a Will?

Joint Tenancy With Children Creates Problems for Parents

Think of Estate Planning as Stewardship for the Future